Your Douglas News - August 2023

Mossman Show a Douglas drawcard

COST-OF-LIVING concerns were cast aside during the July long weekend, with thousands of people attending this year’s Mossman Show.

There’s been numerous interest rate rises and an increase in prices across the board over the past 12 months but Show President Matt Hatfield said it didn’t stop people enjoying the two-day event.

“I was a little worried that the media coverage about the cost-of-living pressures would have an impact on attendance

but clearly it didn’t,” Mr Hatfield said.

“I’ve been president for 12 years and it seems to be bigger and better every year.

“Once you paid to get through that gate there was so much to enjoy for free whether it was the fireworks, (the freestyle motocross group) Airtime FMX, the pig racing or celebrity bush cook Ranger Nick.”

The Mossman Show normally attracts around five thousand people and Mr Hatfield is optimistic this year’s

event matched or even exceeded that number. Official attendance figures will be released later this month.

Mr Hatfield said the agricultural section was as strong as ever, with cages borrowed from another show society to cater for a “packed” chicken pavilion while the cattle entries rivalled those seen at the Cairns Show.

All proceeds from the event will be returned to the Mossman and District Show Society, with planning already underway for 2024.

Council career diversity showcased at show

MANY of the people who attended last month’s Mossman Show left with goodie bags, plush toys, fairy floss ….and hopefully some inspiration to pursue a career in local government.

The various professions on offer at the Douglas Shire Council were showcased in a video presentation at the Johnston pavilion while Council staff were available to answer questions.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said many people would be surprised by the career and development opportunities available at Council.

“We have people who secured their first job at Council who have progressed their way through the ranks to be team leaders,” he said.

“We have staff with a passion for the environment

or water security, who spend large parts of their working week in the great outdoors, while our Local Laws team are responsible for animal management.

“Library and administration officers and our nursery; they are all employed by Council.”

Our recent appointment of trainees and an apprentice mechanic has provided an opportunity for our local young people to gain a nationally recognised qualification with an onthe-job experience and the possibility to continue a career with Council that will provide a benefit to both Council and our communities in civil construction, horticulture, water and wastewater and fleet services.

Head to the Douglas Shire Council website for more information.

A bird’s eye view of this year’s Mossman Show

The Airtime FMX freestyle motocross group were a hit at this year’s Mossman Show.

Douglas Shire Council staff Allan-Mark Thompson and Danni Morache at Council’s Mossman Show stall.

BUDGET DELIVERS SERVICES

DOUGLAS Shire Council has absorbed rising costs to deliver a $257,000 surplus in the 2023/24 Annual Budget.

The $58.4 million operational budget along with a $16.7 million capital works program, was endorsed last month.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said Council was operating responsibly during tough financial times.

“Council has no borrowings and is debt free at a time of rising interest rates,” he said.

“We are currently receiving good interest returns on investments which is also contributing to this positive result.

“The cost of building materials has increased dramatically in the past 12 months but through responsible spending and by resourcing grants for infrastructure projects we have managed to keep spending at a manageable level.

“The rising cost of living is impacting us all and, like our ratepayers, Council is operating within its means.”

A spending breakdown of the budget’s $16.7M capital works program includes:

• Transport – $6.38M

• Water Supply – $3.66M

• Council & Community Facilities – $1.88M

• Resource Management – $541k

• Plant and Equipment – $996K

• Wastewater – $1.73M

• Drainage – $300K

The median rate increase will be $49 per year (Category 1 property) or ratepayers with an investment property face an increase $144 per year (Category 5 property).

The broader general rate rises are below CPI and less than some neighbouring councils.

CCTV to improve boaties’ safety

BOAT users will be able to park their cars and trailers with more confidence following an $82,000 security upgrade at Council boat ramps.

CCTV cameras and improved lighting will be installed at Port Douglas, Sugar Wharf, Cooya Beach, Newell Beach and Daintree River boat ramps this month.

The project is funded by the Commonwealth Government and being administered by the Queensland Fishing Infrastructure Grants Program.

Douglas Shire Council Mayor Michael Kerr said the security upgrades would have multiple benefits.

“Our passionate boaties can spend long periods

on the water and we want them to feel confident their cars, trailers and personal belongings will be safe at any time of the day,” he said.

“The CCTV cameras will also assist Council to monitor the minority of people doing the wrong thing when it comes to fishing, camping, dumping or causing environmental harm.”

The Warners Bridge upgrade featured in Council’s capital works program. Inset: Crews replacing an electrical switchboard, communications and control cabinet on a wastewater pump station in Port Douglas.

CCTV and improved lighting are being installed at various Douglas Shire boat ramps.

Twin funding boost for Douglas artists

JILL Chism, the woman behind Port Douglas’ environmental multimedia and sculpture event – Call of the Running Tide Festival – is encouraging artists and creatives from across the region to apply for a grant in this year’s Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF). The Oak Beach resident said on some occasions

creative people’s time wasn’t valued.

“There’s the classical notion that they are going to do it for love and they’re not going to do it for money,” she said.

“That is an erroneous idea because everybody, even if you love what you’re doing, needs their skills to be valued.

“For artists and creatives to get funding means they can spend time creating work of a higher standard and in a more developed way rather than tacking it on as a side project.”

This year the Douglas Shire has decided to distribute the RADF money over two streams rather than one.

Jill said splitting the money could provide an inspiration for an artist or creative who was previously unaware of RADF.

“It means while creatives might, in the first round, be commencing new concepts or projects and by the second round they might be

better prepared to apply for funding to actually produce conceptually developed work.”

RADF is open to a range of people including artists, writers, drama groups and even historical organisations.

Jacqueline Joosen used her $5000 grant to host an exhibition at the Port Douglas Community Hall last year.

The abstract artist spent the money on lighting, display boards and signage.

“The exhibition would have looked less polished (without the funding) because I had the whole hall to use and a lot of paintings to hang,” she said.

“I had a lot of people come to my exhibition and because of that, with people getting to know my work, I am now going to Melbourne’s Affordable Art Fair.”

Stream One of RADF opened on August 1. For more information head to the Douglas Shire website.

Shire celebrates NAIDOC Week

THE Douglas Shire has celebrated another successful NAIDOC Week; the Council collaborated with the NAIDOC Committee to deliver a diverse range of activities. This year the theme was ‘For Our Elders’.

Monday

The opening ceremony, held at the Douglas Shire Council, was attended by Elders, students, teachers, Council staff, councillors, the mayor, and other community members. In the evening a “smoking ceremony” and showcase of cultural performances was

held to launch the Kubirriwarra Yalanji Art and Culture Exhibition at the Port Douglas Community Hall.

Tuesday

Goobidi Bamaga hosted the annual baby show. Competition was fierce for the award of the cheekiest baby with an abundance of attitude on show; from toddlers strutting their stuff on the catwalk, to reluctant starlets being wrestled on stage by mum. Babies were dressed in their finest traditional clothing, including dilly bag accessories, and painted with

traditional ochre.

Wednesday

The Mossman Gorge Gateway Market was held at Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre, with a display of traditional First Nations art, paintings and beading for purchase.

Thursday

An Elders lunch was held at the Mossman Community Hall, hosted by Goobidi Bamaga. There was a traditional meal, a Kup Muri - a traditional method of cooking in an underground oven – and the Elders were served by local youth, teachers

and volunteers from Douglas Grass and Roots.

Friday

The NAIDOC street parade was attended by local schools in the community, including Wonga State School (winner of the ‘Loudest school’ award), St Augustine’s Primary School, Port Douglas State School, Mossman State School, Mossman State High School and Miallo State School. The Mossman Library also hosted a weaving workshop with Kuku Yalanji local artistShanelle Young.

Port Douglas artist Jacqueline Joosen has previously used a RADF grant to host her own exhibition.

Left: Sculptor Jill Chism is encouraging fellow artists to apply for RADF grants.

Miallo State School students took part in the NAIDOC street parade.

Goobidi Baby Show entrant Kairo Williams.

Local Artist Lea Stevens and her daughter Kathleen at Mossman Gorge Cultural Markets.

Manjal Dimbi Dancers at Mossman NAIDOC in the Park.

Aunty Margaret Rocky, Aunty Elisa Williams and Lena Stevens at the opening ceremony.

Mossman State High School students Peyton Thorburn and Ebony McLean.

IMPROVED ACCESS TO FOUR MILE BEACH

705 Voices: Shaping the future for Shire’s youngest

THE thumb suckers, finger painters and sandpit dwellers of our community are indirectly having their say on Douglas Shire planning, even though most of them are still mastering their ABCs.

A new boardwalk and stairs are making it easier to get to Four Mile Beach via Sand Street in Port Douglas.

Douglas Shire Council has replaced the old wooden stairs with composite fibre stairs and a boardwalk. Further work on Port Street including realignment of a beach access track, general path maintenance and fencing has been completed.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said the upgrades 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 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.

The 705 Voices project is currently surveying young families, with parents, carers, grandparents, neighbours and community members taking part on behalf of the region’s babies, toddlers and school newbies.

According to the 2021 ABS census, there are 705 children aged 0-5 living in the Douglas Shire and Julatten township.

The information collated through the 705 Voices project – which is an initiative of the Douglas Early Childhood Network - will be used to create an “Early Years” plan. Whyanbeel mum Ebonie said finding activities for children all year round can prove a challenge.

“I would like to see indoor activities during the wet season when it’s rainy and too hot outside,” she said.

“Sometimes you are left wondering what to do but overall I’m happy with the support services we have

and playgroups like this one (Mossman).”

Jennifer and her oneyear-old daughter Ezra also attend the Mossman Playgroup and said entertaining children becomes tougher in the wet season.

“We need more activities for children with air conditioning or at least bigger under cover parks,” the Cooya Beach resident said.

“Sometimes families head to Cairns for activities like Inflatable Word but then it becomes a day trip.”

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said the survey

would provide important information for Council.

“The census already highlighted what we already knew – the Douglas Shire is increasingly becoming a place where young families want to settle and live,” he said.

“These young children ensure the vibrancy of the community and Council wants to create an environment that ensure they stay in the region for years to come.

“I look forward to finding out what 705 Voices reveals.”

Pedalling inclusiveness

CRAIGLIE resident Daniel Inglis is looking forward to using his own pedal power in next month’s Gran Fondo Festival but has no problems with other participants receiving a battery-charged boost as they traverse the ups and downs and the twists of turns of the Cook Highway.

While the 39-year-old will be tackling the 136-kilometre Gran Fondo (a return trip between Port Douglas and Palm Cove) on a road bike, participants in other festival events have the option to complete their journey on an electric bike.

Daniel said the inclusiveness of Gran Fondo Festival – including the use of e-bikes – should be celebrated.

“I think if it gets more people into cycling that’s a good thing,” he said.

“It allows people to participate in the sport whether they are getting older or recovering from injury or wanting to be able to ride longer and explore more for the same amount of effort.

“There are not many opportunities to ride the Cook Highway (between Port

Douglas and Palm Cove) because it’s so busy.

“This is an opportunity for people of all fitness levels to take on both a challenging and spectacular stretch of road.”

The Rainforest and Reef Cycling Club vice-president will also be competing in the more spectator-friendly criterium and sprint events.

New fixtures in this year’s program include a 40-kilometre mountain bike race (from Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures at Wangetti to Port Douglas), a 250-metre mountain bike sprint on Four Mile Beach and the 60km Semi Fondo (a return ride between Port Douglas and Rex Lookout).

Organisers are expecting more than 1200 participants to take part over the threeday event (September 8-10).

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said the festival provided a real boost to the region’s economy.

“Council is a proud supporter of the Gran Fondo Festival and the event complements our own focus of encouraging more people to explore the beauty of our region on two wheels,” he

$50.8M

said.

“This addition to the program will see even more riders spend time in Port Douglas which is obviously good news for the town!

“I have already heard so many people say that they want to participate in the event this year which will create an even better result for the economic and community benefit for our region.”

Mossman Playgroup mums Ebonie (left) and Tahnee with Boe, 5, Bira, 1, and Prinee 1.

The new Sand Street boardwalk through to Four Mile Beach.

Craiglie resident Daniel Inglis will be taking part in this year’s Gran Fondo Festival.