“If you were to ask half a dozen different people, their interpretations could range from facilities like Muddy’s in Cairns to the ones found at Big 4 resorts or even the nature-oriented splash park at South Bank in Brisbane,” he said.

According to Councillor Kerr, the next public involvement for the splash park is the opening.

“If Jalunbu Park is the preferred location, a full master plan can showcase what can be accomplished and align with the community's vision based on the location survey.

“A comprehensive master plan for the second location, including a splash park, lagoon/pool, adventure playground and manicured gardens, could potentially change perceptions when compared to what can be achieved at Jalunbu Park.”

Other Councillor's opinions

Councillor Peter McKeown emphasised his desire to get the project underway and provide the Port community with a much-anticipated Splash Park.

"We have spent a significant amount of time debating and seeking community consultation on this matter," he stated. “At this point, my primary goal is to see the project completed.”

Councillor Abigail Noli emphasised the importance of utilising the outcomes of consultations.

“The consultation that occurred was probably the most comprehensive and professional in Council’s history, generating more responses than any previous consultation; it was statistically valid,” she said.

“Councillors had a huge amount of input into what the fact sheets contained and how the consultation would be rolled out. We were part of many workshopping opportunities. If the information wasn’t sufficient then his leadership is what is lacking as we all had occasions to offer opinions. 

“Councillor Kerr is treating the public like fools essentially saying they haven’t understood. The shire has requested a splash park for years, I think people know what they are talking about. Councillor Kerr needs to accept he is wrong instead of criticising our people.”

Councillor Zammataro found Councillor Kerr's criticism of the splash park consultation disrespectful to the public, considering its high participation.

“Consultations are conducted precisely to gauge the community's preferences, and by disagreeing with the outcome, Councillor Kerr implies a flaw in the process,” he said.

“If the Council is perceived as disregarding the outcomes of public consultation, why would anyone feel motivated to participate in future contributions to public consultation?”

Councillor Lisa Scomazzon believed that Councillor Kerr's request for further community input raises concerns.

She said it “will have considerable cost to the ratepayers as he stated in his proposed motion that he wanted a design for a master plan which included a zero-depth water park, required amenities and a designated future swimming facility at both locations which goes against the community consultation”.

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Council insisted that the Mayor’s responses to Newsport's questions be published in full and unedited. The questions and full responses are provided below.

Newsport: What are your initial thoughts on the outcome of the public consultation and survey?

Mayor Kerr: “I thank those people who made the effort and took the time to take part in another public consultation for a safe swimming precinct in Port Douglas. From the community’s perspective based on what they were asked they would prefer to have a splash park at Jalunbu park, that’s clear. I absolutely respect that the community responded based on the questions that were asked and what each individual person perceives what their vision of a splash park is. Unfortunately, if you ask half a dozen different people, they will all tell you a different description of what they believe a splash park is from something like muddies, to the Big 4 to the more nature play one at South Bank in Brisbane. I am concerned that we now have a motion that authorises staff to tender, design and construct with no further input from any community groups, user groups or general public. The next public involvement for the splash park is the opening.”

Newsport: Can you explain the reasons behind your decision to vote against the recommendation proposed by the CEO and Manager of Governance?

Mayor Kerr: “In 2021 Council passed its Operational Plan, the approved resolution in that operational plan was: Port Douglas Aquatic Precinct – Following approval of concept and detailed design progress towards funding for an Aquatic Precinct that includes a splash park. Ensure community engagement. The splash park will be stage one.

“Councillor Noli’s motion in November 2021 was to confirm the details for that – consult on a location, councillors would decide the final location for the precinct based on the survey results, business cases and cost benefit analysis which were to be completed.

“On the 28 of June 2022 council passed its 2022-2023 Operation Plan that had a resolution: Continue to develop the Port Douglas Aquatic Precinct - Develop a master plan for a Water Park Precinct in Port Douglas. Seek state and federal funding to deliver the outcomes from the plan. Generate "shovel ready" documentation to enable state and federal funding to be obtained to deliver the full plan outcomes. Finalise facility location, Full suite of detailed documentation.

“Then on 30 May 2023 Council passed its 2023-2024 Operation plan. The resolution in that plan: Continue to develop the Port Douglas Aquatic Precinct – Dependant on results of community engagement, generate “shovel Ready” documentation to enable state and federal funding to obtain. Finalise location. Full suite of detailed documentation.

“From my reading of the resolution’s council had, two matters that were live, it was to provide councillors with the community consultation results for the location of the splash park and water precinct. From that Council would choose where the precinct was to be located by a resolution as they would have the communities preferred choice of the splash park and precinct as well as a business case and cost benefit analysis, for both options. The second, develop a master plan for a water park precinct in Port Douglas. The previous resolutions clearly state that the Aquatic Precinct includes a splash park.

“The resolution that was passed by a majority of councillors went from having a full master plan for an Aquatic Precinct that included a swimming area and splash park, which is councils’ position by resolution to only a splash park which the community will have no further say in, and there will only be an investigation into options for a co- located swimming facility of which neither a pool or lagoon can fit in Jalunbu Park. I personally believe that the motion approved is in conflict with council’s official position ratified by previous resolutions and that the community deserves a far better outcome than what has been delivered.”

Newsport: How do you think your decision aligns with the preferences and feedback expressed by the community during the public engagement process?

Mayor Kerr: “If Jalunbu Park is the preferred location there is no reason why a full master plan cannot be completed to show the community what can be achieved at Jalunbu Park and the question asked is that what you had in mind when you completed the location survey. If a full master plan was also completed for the second location where the splash park, lagoon/pool and other facilities such as an adventure playground manicured gardens etc. would easily fit, it could well change people’s minds when they see what could be accomplished on both sites when compared.”