Water, tennis and RV Parks
April in review
April saw the previous Federal Government write a cheque for $5 million to get work started on a water precinct in Port Douglas. Let’s face it its long overdue.
Cairns has one even Cooktown, but we’ve been slow catching on here. Of course, it’s been floated before but always seems to land on troubled waters. But a Port Douglas water precinct complete with pool and landscaping, took a step towards becoming a reality back in April when Federal MP Warren Entsch dropped into town to give the Douglas Shire Council a fist full of dollars to get it up and running.
There’s been many suggested locations bandied about like the Sugar Wharf, an area near the Tin Shed and others, but April’s press conference took place at Reynolds Park on the road into Port providing a clue as to where it might be. It’s no secret Mayor Michael Kerr privately prefers Reynolds Park. The lagoon fantasy, near the Surf Club, put up by his predecessor, was never going to come to fruition because of massive upkeep costs, but this more sensible water aquatic park was promised to be shovel ready by the end of this year or early next year. At the press conference it was suggested it would create 200 jobs during construction and 30 local jobs when completed. The lack of a safe year-round swimming facility has certainly had negative impacts on the community and tourists who visit our region. Jellyfish like the Irukandji and saltwater crocs have made sure of that.
Council was to announce a public consultation BUT the incoming Labor Government spoiled the party and kept the money. My guess is there’ll still be public consultation in 2023 but the Feds will have to be wooed some other way into handing out some dosh for this vital project.
Giving it a serve
In April the local Port Douglas Tennis Club entered a new era with a brand-new committee determined to grow the club bigger and better. While the PDTC has been pottering along and filling a need for local players of all ages, change is in the wind with a membership drive and bold new plans to increase their court space. Club President Glen Brumby told Newsport at the time they’ve upped the ante and are pushing for the building of a fourth court and is making it the clubs highest priority. “We’d like to host larger events to bring more players to Port Douglas and a fourth court is the first step in doing that,” said Mr Brumby.
Sponsorship deal
The Committee has approved a comprehensive sponsorship program for local businesses with tailored offerings and three levels of recognition - Platinum, Gold, and Silver. An excited Mr Brumby said, “Immediately upon the program becoming available Andrew Grey from local seafood restaurant Wrasse and Roe and his partner Carolyn Graham representing Saltwater Commercial signed up for the Platinum package which is the largest ever sponsorship deal the club has ever struck”. The Ramada Resort by Wyndham Port Douglas returned serve with a cheque to be a Gold Sponsor for the club. Vice President of the PDTC Ken Roberts told Newsport it was once again proof that well known businesses, in this case hospitality, have faith in the future of the club and its importance to the Douglas Shire. www.portdouglastennisclub.org.au.
Douglas Shire RV Unfriendly
An RV Park reared its head again in April with the majority of Douglas Shire Councillors giving it the thumbs down. While other Shires welcome Recreational Vehicles we don’t appear to want them and that’s well known on the RV grapevine right across Australia. A Newsport article about a Douglas Shire councillor’s proposal for a low-cost RV park in the region generated strong debate for and against the idea.
My colleague David Gardiner wrote that Cr Peter McKeown believes the region is missing out on potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars a year because key RV clubs did not recognise Douglas as RV friendly. Cr McKeown had earlier proposed, at a Council meeting, that a low-priced RV park of up to 50 sites, could be run by the National Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA), and be established in the shire, possibly in Mossman. His idea was crushed by three of the Councillors including Deputy Mayor Lisa Scomazzon. Mayor Michael Kerr was supportive of the idea.
It’s not certain when Cr Pete will put his head up again, but indications are he’s not finished with the plan. He told me the idea is “Not dead in the water and it’s in my bottom draw”. His argument seems sensible and valid. An RV Park would not be burden on ratepayers because Council could identify an appropriate piece of land and pay for it by selling off other surplus land it owned, with the CMCA coming in to do all the infrastructure work that’s required, they then pay Council rates and lease payments, so Council earns an income from land they own. It looks like a win win situation.
The debate goes on.
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