3.21PM: Prime Minister and QLD Premier tour Mossman, Douglas Shire

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and QLD Premier Steve Miles have toured Mossman today to see first hand the devastation caused by Cyclone Jasper and the ensuing flood event. Douglas Shire Councillors took time to meet the duo at Temptations' Cafe in Mossman around lunchtime.

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3.08PM: Police scale back search for missing Degarra man

Police have scaled back the search for an 85-year-old man missing at flood-affected Degarra.

Police said the local man was last heard from on the evening of Sunday, December 17.

When loved ones failed to see or hear from him late on Monday December 18, emergency services were alerted to his disappearance.

An extensive land and water search commenced, and the man’s home was located destroyed by floodwaters.

On Wednesday, December 20 his vessel, a tinny, was located among debris near the mouth of the Bloomfield River.

Despite extensive search efforts utilising officers on foot, water police and aerial assets no further sign of the man has since been located with police holding grave concerns for his welfare.

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2.22PM: Douglas Shire power outages update

As it stands 164 residents across the Douglas Shire remain without power. These include locals that currently live in Bloomfield, Rossville, Daintree, Wonga Beach, Daintree and a number of other locations.

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2.15PM: Queensland Police disaster recovery boss talks to Newsport

Queensland Police Inspector Don McKay has helped lead and coordinate the mammoth post flood and cyclone recovery mission around the Douglas Shire.

He spoke to Newsport just moments ago and told us:

• He understands residents in Bloomfield and Degarra remain isolated following the floods and is working hard to ensure they get evacuated or assistance as soon as possible.
• There was a community meeting at Cow Bay last night where residents again came together to inform authorities about what their ongoing needs and requirements are.
• Is aware of the damage to both Noah Range and Alexandra Range.
• Council’s geo engineers continue to perform damage inspections in the Daintree in order to form a plan, in simple terms, on how to put the Daintree together again.
• Is aware communities right across the Shire need and will need ongoing assistance – expects supplies to be continually dropped off around the Shire for at least the next two months.

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Douglas Shire resident - What about us???

12.55PM: A Douglas Shire based Newsport reader has vented their frustrations after feeling unseen and unheard during the ongoing disaster recovery efforts across the region.

Good afternoon Editor,

I have read a couple of your editorials about Port Douglas and again I have read your live coverage about the random acts of kindness, but I am somewhat perplexed at the total disregard for the other thousands of residents in the shire who also might benefit from the random acts and the Mayors words outside of Port Douglas...

Does he even know that they exist?

Does he realise that there are thousands of these people who have no homes, no water, no power AND no food?

How about you take a look at some of these people that need some compassion and community spirit, a bit of uplifting and a whole lot of help!

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Fresh drinking water still another 24 hours away for Port Douglas, Craiglie residents

12.35PM: Douglas Shire residents will be without drinking water for at least another 24 hours with Council confirming they "are aiming to return to partial water supply to Port Douglas and Craiglie by tomorrow".

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12.34PM: Nautilus assists Douglas Shire disaster recovery

Nautilus Aviation, Northern Australia’s largest helicopter operator has spent the last week assisting local authorities in both the rescue and recovery phases after TC Jasper and the subsequent flooding event.

"Our focus has been 100% on those heavily impacted and isolated communities around the region in particular north of Port Douglas with multiple roles including rescue, aerial survey and over the last few days getting essentials including fuel, fresh fruit and vegetables, bread and medical supplies including medicines from Cairns to them," a Nautilus spokesperson told Newsport.

"We believe that in some volume our role in this will continue over the coming days and weeks as the clean-up and recovery efforts continue."

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Degarra, Bloomfield latest

12.22PM: Newsport understands an ADF chopper did a flyover of both Degarra and Bloomfield two days ago. There is mixed information coming from Douglas Shire Council, but there is some speculation residents in Degarra and Bloomfield - two areas hardest hit by Jasper and the floods - will be, or are, being evacuated to higher ground now, or in coming days.

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12.10PM: Douglas Shire Councillors to continue to meet with devastated Douglas Shire flood victims

Newsport understands Douglas Shire Councillors spent yesterday talking and visiting with residents in the Daintree Villiage that have experienced extensive flood damage. They will continue to visit different parts of the region to hear first hand what locals need and want during this ongoing crisis period.

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11.52AM: Quicksilver extends vessel trips between Port Douglas and Cairns to December 31

Quicksilver has confirmed its transfer service between Port Douglas and Cairns has been extended through to December 31.

Departure times will remain unchanged with an 8am departure from Port Douglas and a 2:30pm departure from Cairns back to Port Douglas. This service is not operating on Christmas Day.

The service beyond December 31 will continue to be assessed.

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11.37AM: Ocean Safari do latest drop off in Port Douglas

The legends at Ocean Safari including Brooke Nikora arrived in Port Douglas near the Tin Shed a short time ago to drop off more tourists and people back into the Douglas Shire from Cow Bay. Ocean Safari was also due to take more supplies back to the Cape later today.

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11.34AM: Get your fresh water in Douglas Shire

A reminder to bring your containers and get some water! The legends at Papillion Landscapes have 2000 litres available to access at Papillion Landscapes' shed. The Guys at Papillion have reminded people it's not drinking water, but water for other purposes. This water is available at 29 Owen St, Craiglie.

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11.29AM: Is Douglas Shire Council going to stay open over xmas break to deal with the ongoing major flood crisis?

A Newsport reader has queried whether Douglas Shire council workers should cancel their holiday plans and instead work through the Christmas break, with thousands across the region requiring ongoing assistance, help on a day to day basis.

Dear Michael, 

Can someone please ask the Council if they are going to give up the Christmas holidays and stay open instead of closing until after new year? 

Also people are being told to stay even though I'm sure some of them have wanted to leave... and people that are booked for Christmas are still coming .. the whole town has pretty much lost its income and then they go and decide to cancel the Sunday market ... that's one thing that tourists expect are going to be open... the park has been cleaned up there's no reason why it shouldn't go ahead.

After the cyclone, the loss of power, the loss or water .. can't they at least let people make an income from the markets this Sunday.

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11.27AM: Degarra, Bloomfield residents left out in the cold

A Newsport reader has sent us a letter saying residents in Degarra and Bloomfield, who reside on the border of the Douglas Shire, remain without help and crucial resources or assistance.

Dear Michael,

I'm watching Mayor Kerr on the news talking about Cape Tribulation and further south and waiting for him to express his concern and thoughts for those at the northernmost end of the shire in Degarra and Bloomfield where the brunt of the flooding and devistation occurred, but so far we've heard nothing. 

Unfortunately this appears to be a continuation of the disregard suffered by ratepayers north of Cape Tribulation. We are hoping that the clearing of the road from Cape Tribulation to Bloomfield will be prioritised and repaired to give access to its ratepayers and residents and not just regarded as an adventure track for tourists.

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10.25AM: Rex Range now open! 

In a great development TMR has confirmed the Mossman-Mt Molloy rd, Rex Range is now open to all traffic on both lanes. This is a huge sigh of relief for Douglas Shire residents that wish to travel from Port Douglas to Cairns, for airport trips, medical supplies, appointments and so on.

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10.24AM: Good Morning, welcome to Newsport's live coverage of the ongoing flood crisis that conitnues to effect the Douglas Shire. I'm Newsport editor Michael Warren and I'll bring you updates right throughout the day.