Your Douglas News - March 2023

Savings to flow into Mossman and surrounds

A CHANCE to save hundreds of dollars on your annual water bill will be turned on for people living in Mossman and surrounds this month.

Douglas Shire Council will start installing new smart water meters at most properties with reticulated water supply as part of a $1.1 million investment in water security.

Stage two of the smart water meter rollout, which starts on Monday, March 6, 2023, follows the initial phase which saw about 900 properties in Port Douglas fitted with the new digital device.

This stage has already seen 92ML saved in the past nine months, which is more water than 36 Mossman lap pools could hold.

Put another way, this equates to financial savings of about $150,000, or $166 per property where a new smart water meter was

installed.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said the smart water meter program expansion could see savings flow into thousands of households.

“Many Port Douglas residents have already shaved hundreds of dollars off their annual water bill thanks to their new smart meter,” he said.

“The smart water meter program allows Council and property owners to detect leaks quicker than ever before and reduce the amount of water being wasted.

“Under stage two, we will see about 3500 smart water meters installed at eligible properties and if the current rate of savings continues, we could see more than 300ML of water saved from leaking into the ground this year.”

“Finding and fixing leaks in our network remains a focus while Council invests in projects which increase

our water supply.”

The first smart water meters will be installed at remaining properties in Port Douglas and Craiglie, before contractors make their way to Mossman and surrounds.

Property owners will receive a letter notifying them of the upcoming installation and information about MiWater Customer Portal.

Sign up to MiWater Customer Portal to save dollars:

The MiWater Customer Portal is now available for properties in Douglas Shire with a smart water meter. You can track your water usage online and identify leaks quickly, saving you money on your next water bill.

You can access the customer portal on your computer or smart phone anywhere, anytime. To register for FREE, go to miwater.douglas.qld.gov.au

YOU AM I to headline Port Douglas Carnivale

ICONIC Aussie rockers You Am I, fronted by lead singer-songwriter and guitarist Tim Rogers, will headline Port Douglas Carnivale’s Tropic Rock concert in 2023. Having released their 11th studio album in 2021, The Lives of Others, the group is in good form and ready to deliver a live show that has earned them a special place as Australian rock royalty.

Their signature rock sound has scored 10 ARIA awards and 31 nominations during the band’s long music career and gathered fans across the globe.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said You Am I promised to deliver a concert experience like no other with Rex Smeal Park once again the backdrop for the Tropic Rock event.

“This will be the first time the band has performed in Port Douglas, and five years since touring FNQ and no doubt, will be something special,” he said.

Also returning to the Port Douglas Carnivale line-up is the signature event The Longest Lunch, FNQ Gin Fest, Seafood Extravaganza and Family Beach Day, while the Wonderland Spiegeltent will once again bring its decadent blend of sensational acrobatics, operatic cabaret, and tongue in cheek burlesque to Market Park. The crowd-favourite Street Parade will show the world what the region is all about with its ‘Living the Best Life’ theme inspiring people to share how they live their best lives.

The vibrant mix of food, fun and festival begins on Friday, May 12, building to the main Carnivale weekend on May 19-21.

Mayor Kerr said the town was ready to welcome new and returning visitors to the much-loved event, which is now in its 29th year.

“We are encouraging our creative local individuals, schools, groups, businesses and organisations to show how they live life to the fullest here in Port Douglas and Daintree,” he said.

“It’s the simple things that make our lives so meaningful, from family traditions and friendships, to surrounding ourselves in the beautiful nature and wildlife we have here.

“Sustainability, caring for our environment, and our excellence in agriculture and tourism are all things we should also be recognising and celebrating.”

Mayor Kerr said the Carnivale program offers a mix of adult and family events to suit all tastes and budgets.

“Douglas Shire Council is excited to present our much-loved Carnivale – it is a great festival and with local arts, culture and music as well as significant national acts in the program, we hope our visitors and the Douglas community get involved and enjoy themselves.”

For more information, and to book tickets for the Tropic Rock concert, visit the website www.carnivale.com.au.

Council’s Team Leader of Water Reticulation, Mitch Simpson, inspects a Smart Water Meter in Port Douglas

*Tickets will be released for the Wonderland Spiegeltent and The Longest Lunch in the coming weeks.

You Am I will headline the Tropic Rock Concert at 2023 Port Douglas Carnivale

Community talks about Port

Douglas Aquatic Precinct

HUNDREDS of people had their say during the community engagement period for the Port Douglas Aquatic Precinct.

Douglas Shire Council secured funding to build a splash park and is working towards delivering the project in 2024. There are two locations being considered – Jalunbu

Park behind the Port Douglas Surf Life Saving Club and Reynolds Park, on Davidson Street.

Council hosted a ‘Come & Play’ day and ‘Family Movie Night’ at the Port Douglas Community Hall last month to encourage people to provide feedback on the proposed locations and ask them whether they

believe a second public swimming pool is needed in Douglas Shire.

Council staff reported a fantastic turnout from local families who were keen to learn more about the proposed project.

An online survey, which closes on Friday 3 March 2023, has recorded more than 700 responses.

Daintree Ferry to close for safety inspection and maintenance

Upcoming Daintree Ferry Temporary Closure

March 2023 - Mandatory inspection

Stops: 12:01am, Monday 6 March

Starts: 5am, Saturday 11 March

Passenger ferry will operate 6am to 6pm daily

Car parking will be available on both sides of the river

The five-day closure is for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority out-of-water inspection

For more information, please visit Council's website or call 4099 9444

THE AUSTRALIAN Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) will conduct an out-of-water safety inspection of the Daintree Ferry from Monday morning next week.

Douglas Shire Council will close the vehicle ferry for five days from 12.01am on Monday 6 March 2023 to allow the inspection and vital maintenance tasks to be completed.

At high tide on Monday, dry-dock airbags will be placed on the concrete ramp at the southern side of the Daintree River and inflated slowly to help tow the ferry to shore. This could take up to six hours.

Inflation and deflation of the airbags is regulated by gauges to control lift capacity, ferry height and airbag pressure. The ferry will be washed down and inspected once secured.

After the inspection, Council will also undertake important maintenance tasks that can’t be done during normal operations.

At this stage, the ferry is

scheduled to resume service at 5am on Saturday 11 March 2023.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said the five-day closure was a complex exercise that would guarantee a safe ferry operation.

“The Daintree Ferry is a critical public transport service that connects people living on both sides of the Daintree River and is the arterial link for the tourism economy over the river,” he said.

“As one of the last cable vehicle ferries in tropical Australia, it is a unique service that transports about 230,000 vehicle movements between the southern bank of the river and the world’s oldest rainforest each year.

“The ferry is a workhorse that runs 19 hours on every day of the year, so we are taking the opportunity while it is out of the water to do as much maintenance as possible and we appreciate the community’s patience whilst this compulsory AMSA inspection is completed.”

“Council continues to invest in the iconic river crossing to ensure this required transport link maintains an exceptional level of service, improves travellers’ experience, enhances local community needs and complies with relevant safety requirements.”

Since announcing the closure in August 2022, Council held two drop-in sessions and sought feedback from key ferry users.

A 50-person passenger vessel will take people across the river during the closure – operating continuously all day from sunrise to sunset.

Council has organized security to protect any vehicles such as tour buses, which will be parked on the northern side during the closure, to enable companies to continue taking travellers on day tours to the Daintree. Emergency services and Queensland Health have also put measures in place to ensure the community is well prepared.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr with community members at the Port Douglas Aquatic Precinct Consultation

Coastal Works Step Up At Four Mile Beach

A NEW boardwalk and stairs will make it easier to get to Four Mile Beach via Sand Street in Port Douglas.

Douglas Shire Council will replace the old wooden stairs with composite fibre stairs and a boardwalk. Further work will also be done on the track at the end of Port Street including realignment of a beach access track, general path maintenance and fencing.

Once complete, interpretative signs will be installed, and a community tree planting day will be organised to help beautify the area.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said the up-

grades would improve access to the beach and help rehabilitate the foreshore.

“Four Mile Beach is one of the best coastlines in the country and any investment making it more accessible is fantastic news for locals and visitors,” he said.

“The new beach access and coastal rehabilitation forms part of Council’s Resilient Coast Strategic Plan which helps us manage the risk of coastal hazards.”

“I am very pleased Council received funding and appreciate the support of the State Government and Local Government Association of Queensland to help

Resilience Tour – Round Two

our communities prepare for the impacts of climate change.”

Council has received $188,000 under the QCoast2100 Program for a Community Coastal Rehabilitation & Education Project.

The QCoast 2100 Program is funded by the Queensland Government and administered by Local Government Association of Queensland.

Beach access tracks may be closed at times while the upgrades are underway until mid-May 2023, however there are two alternative beach access tracks close by.

Mossman State School Celebrates 125 years

MOSSMAN State School has marked 125 years of teaching our local kids. Douglas Shire Councillors joined the school community to celebrate the school’s rich educational history in our region.

Established in 1898, many fourth generational local families still attend the school today.

DOUGLAS Shire Council is working with the community to develop seven local community resilience scorecards and one with our First Nations community.

The purpose of the Community Resilience Scorecard Project is to support people, communities, organisations and businesses to understand their risks and role during extreme weather, and encourage resilience actions to improve community outcomes after natural hazard events.

During October and November 2022, workshops were conducted across the

Shire with locals in their communities. The project team will be on the road again in March and April 2023.

Why should I come?

Residents are invited to participate in the next round of workshops to share lived experience with natural hazards and help develop each local community’s resilience scorecard. The draft version of the scorecard will be discussed, and feedback sought residents.

The scorecards will help raise community awareness

of risk, how to respond and provide insights for local disaster management about specific issues in each community. The scorecards will go onto inform updates to the Douglas Local Disaster Management Plan.

Who should attend?

All community members are invited to share stories and contribute to the development of their local resilience scorecard. If you attended one of the community workshops in 2022, please come again to continue the conversation.

2023 WORKSHOPS

Bloomfield, China Camp & Degarra

Tuesday 14 March

9am to 12pm, Wujal Wujal Sports Centre

Cape Tribulation to Cape Kimberley

Tuesday 14 March 4pm – 7pm

Daintree Peaks Eco Stays

Daintree Village & surrounding valleys

Wednesday 15 March 9am – 12pm

Daintree Community Hall

Newell Beach

Wednesday 15 March 4pm – 7pm

Mossman Golf Club, Newell Beach Road, Mossman

Can’t make a workshop?

Wonga Beach & Rocky Point

Monday 27 March 5pm – 8pm

Wonga Rural Fire Brigade

Mossman & Cooya Beach

Tuesday 28 March

2pm – 5pm

Mossman Bowls Club

Port Douglas, Craiglie, Oak Beach & Wangetti

Wednesday 29 March 9am – 12pm

Port Douglas Community Hall

Mossman & Cooya Beach

Monday 17 April

5pm – 8pm

Mossman Fire Station

Scan the QR code to complete this survey to imprint your local voice on the community resilience scorecard for your local community. Alternatively, visit: surveymonkey.com/r/MHR5LCW.

A new boardwalk and stairs will make it easier to get to Four Mile Beach via Sand Street in Port Douglas

Members of the community talking about disaster resilience at session at Wonga Beach in 2022

Douglas Shire Councillors helped Mossman State School mark 125 years of teaching our local kids last month.

Unsealed roads in line for an upgrade

THREE sections of rural unsealed roads will be turned into concrete pavements later this year.

Douglas Shire Council has awarded a contract to Bissell Concreting Pty Ltd to upgrade sections of Whyanbeel Rd, Bamboo Ck Rd and Forest Ck Road. Assistance was provided

through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA)

These three roads consistently require repairs after heavy rain and flooding, making it harder for residents and emergency services to access. It also reduces the amount of money spent on

road repairs over the next 50 years. During construction, these sites will be restricted to one lane under traffic management plans to help road users. These projects follow recent floodway improvement work which was completed at Poletti Rd at Miallo.

Wonga Beach & Mossman Students shine

DOUGLAS Shire Councillors visited local schools last month to help students bring in 2023.

Deputy Mayor Lisa Scomazzon visited Wonga Beach State School to hand out the 2023 Student Leader

badges. She was able to congratulate new student leaders and welcome their new principal, Miss Emma Tait. Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr had the honour of handing out leadership badges at Mossman State

Saturday 18th – Mossman Markets, 7am – 1pm

Sunday 19th – Port Douglas Sunday Markets, 8am – 1.30pm

Saturday 25th – Mossman Markets, 7am – 1pm

High School. Council would like to congratulate students who were made house captains, student leaders. and all seniors completing their final year of high school.

Three rural unsealed roads will be turned into concrete pavements later this year. Poletti Road at Miallo recieved floodway improvements late last year

Wonga Beach State School Principal Miss Emma Tait with student leaders and Douglas Shire Deputy Mayor Cr Lisa Scomazzon