SHOWN UP: Are other regions putting Douglas Shire kids’ playgrounds and parks to shame?
‘DISAPPOINTING’ PLAYGROUNDS
As Douglas parents and regular visitors wait up to a year more before a new kids’ adventure playground materialises, they’ve looked around to see how other Queensland councils are catering to the needs of their young and very young citizens.
Newsport also took a look at another north Queensland shire – with a population and rate-base very similar to that of Douglas – and found it to be streets ahead when it comes to kids’ playgrounds and water facilities.
Hinchinbrook, which covers only about half the geographic area as Douglas and does not have the high profile ‘international tourism destination’ reputation of our region, has several well-equipped feature parks and a showpiece splash park.
That region’s tourism page proudly boasts its modern kids’ playgrounds.
“Jump aboard the 11 metre long, multi-levelled sugar cane train at Rotary Park Ingham and experience a playful journey of climbing, sliding and imaginative play,” the Hinchinbrook Way says.
“Your children will enjoy Rotary Park's fully shaded agricultural themed playground, while you sit back and relax.”
Over at another popular Hinchinbrook spot – there’s more.
“Have you tried the Speedy Giant Tube Slide at Vince Corbett Park? Forrest Beach is a firm favourite with locals and visitors alike with three playgrounds catering for all age groups, guaranteed to entertain the kids these school holidays.”
The big wait
But back in Port Douglas, resident and visiting parents looking forward to taking their kids for a fun time at the planned new Green Ant adventure playground at Rex Smeal Park will have to wait at least another seven months, most likely longer, before the park is built.
Local mum Brandi Duggan lamented recently on social media what many others are probably thinking: “I’m very disappointed that the only playground equipment in town consists of three swings in Rex Smeal Park and a tiny dated play centre near St Mary’s,” she posted.
“Families have to drive out of town to find playground equipment. The pirate ship has disappeared and the playground equipment at the surf club has also gone.”
Douglas Shire Council had to remove the old playground equipment last November because it had deteriorated to an unsafe standard.
Port Douglas Splash Park
As for the tourist town’s proposed splash park – as we recently reported, the community will need to continue to demonstrate extreme patience with the first sod for the much-awaited splash park not due to be turned for the project until at least “mid-2024”.
On the public information brochure Council disseminated during this year’s February 17 to March 3 public consultation period, it said it was committed to delivering a splash park by May 2024.
In that same brochure Council indicated the splash park would have an approximate capital cost of $1.2M and an annual operating cost of $110,000, with a 0.3% impact on rates.
Mossman Splash Park
Douglas Council also told Newsport in September that its new Splash Park at the Mossman Pool was having final works done and was “anticipated being open for summer”, despite its website saying (still now) that the Splash Park was expected to be open to the public by August.
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