Y.I.R. OCTOBER 2023: Big trees down, ‘adult services’ talk, high-priced holidays, and Mayor Council quits council race
OCT 2023
BIG TREES GONE
Much to the disappointment of residents, large rosewood trees earmarked for removal in Warner Street, Port Douglas, were taken down in October by Douglas Shire Council contractors.
Stumps are now all that remain of the trees, a job Douglas Shire Council said was unavoidable as part of major new drainage works in the street.
Four of the rosewood trees were earmarked for removal because one was according to a Council media release, “out of alignment to the other trees and is much closer to the kerb” and the other three, “located directly above where the new underground drainage will be installed.”
But residents questioned whether “extra” trees were felled – over and above the ones earmarked.
Resident Rosie Wang said the reason given why one of the large trees was sawn down was because of an overhead power line: “Did it need to be killed? Why not just pruned back?” she asked, also saying that trees, or at least lower reaching shrubbery, could be also be planted to help fill the shade and aesthetic gaps left by the large trees.
SEX FOR SALE?
In October Newsport editor Michael Warren had a tip off from a source that tourists and locals alike were allegedly being offered sexual services at a local business that was allegedly operating under the guise of being a massage parlour.
A concerned Newsport reader alleged that right in the heart of Port Douglas – men were being enticed with offers of regular relaxation massages before conversations with female workers soon turned to rates for sexual services.
The source also said they had witnessed lewd public behaviour in which workers near the business attempted to lure clients inside the premise by allegedly ‘flashing’ body parts.
The reader said they’ve also allegedly witnessed “naked women either without pants or a top on as they carry out their (massage work or otherwise) throughout the day”.
A Queensland Police Service spokesperson told Newsport at the time: “In light of the pending decriminalisation of prostitution in Queensland, the Prostitution Enforcement Task Force (PETF), which forms part of the Drug and Serious Crime Group, are not currently undertaking any enforcement action in relation to minor prostitution offences.”
‘NO DOG’ POLICY OUTSIDE HOTEL
A Port Douglas pub’s decision to ban dogs from sitting outside of the establishment while their owners enjoy a meal and a frothy or two resulted in both support and objection to the move.
The Court House Hotel made the decision on the basis of a combination of Food Authority expectations and to ensure quality food and hygienic practices were being adhered to.
The Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) code prevents dogs from entering kitchens and indoor dining areas. The code was updated in 2013 to allow for dogs to sit with their owners outside of pubs at the sole discretion of business owners.
An argument for the October decision in Douglas was the unlikely scenario in which dogs could contaminate food. “(In my opinion) dogs belong in their backyard and not around cafes and pubs etc.” one letter-to-the-editor writer said.
But another disagreed: “My dog goes everywhere with me and I know every dog friendly establishment. I just won't patronise any place that won't allow dogs.”
DOUGLAS HOLIDAYS: OVERPRICED?
A noticeably ‘quiet’ school holidays during the previous month had visitors – and local residents alike – asking in October if Port Douglas was pricing itself out of the domestic tourism market.
They had put it down to expensive airfares, high room costs and even apparently overpriced pub meals.
One Newsport source said, “it’s like a ghost town.”
Tour operator Glen Morrissey said: “It’s school holidays and my tours are not running because of low numbers. Just tried to book a flight for my sister to visit, $800 one way. Short notice but no wonder people are not travelling.”
Another business said their shuttle buses and private transfers in Port Douglas and Cairns “are quiet compared to the last few years (lol COVID was heaps busier)”, and that they noticed foot traffic in the Cairns Night Markets, where they also own shops,
was down “at least 50%.”
Others pointed to the general cost of living rises:
“I went there to have a pub meal was $170 for a family and we all ordered the cheap meal. That's a weeks' groceries. Can't pay a mortgage and eat out. The days of luxury items is over.”
Some partly blamed airlines: “If people can’t afford to get here we all suffer. Must be a way to bring realistic pricing back or everyone will go overseas where things are cheaper.”
One of the largest domestic airlines, Virgin Australia got back to Newsport about the reports of over-the-top airfares to Cairns from other Australian cities.
“Virgin Australia has a Book Early Fares page with discounted flights for various travel dates,” a spokesperson for the airline told us.
“We frequently feature Cairns in our Happy Hour sales on virginaustralia.com on Thursdays from 4pm, where customers can also pick up low fares.”
MAYOR NOT RUNNING AGAIN
In October Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr announced he would not be standing for re-election at next March's local government elections.
Amidst growing speculation, Cr Kerr cited personal reasons;
I believe that it is the right time for me to move on and pursue other opportunities in my commitment to working for the people of this Shire and to continue strengthening this region," Cr Kerr said in a statement from his personal email address.
"I wish the next Mayor of the Douglas Shire all the very best and equally hope that they will have elected councillors who will fully support them on their journey as only through a united commitment and a cohesive council will we see the continued growth and success of the Douglas Shire in the years to come."
Thank you!
Newsport thanks its advertising partners for their support in the delivery of daily community news to the Douglas Shire. Public interest journalism is a fundamental part of every community.
Got a news tip? Let us know! Send your news tips or submit a letter to the editor here.
* Comments are the opinions of readers and do not represent the views of Newsport, its staff or affiliates. Reader comments on Newsport are moderated before publication to promote valuable, civil, and healthy community debate. Visit our comment guidelines if your comment has not been approved for publication.