YOUR DOUGLAS NEWS J U LY
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BUDGET KEEPS SERVICES AND PLANNING ON TRACK
DOUGLAS Shire Council has stared down global and local challenges to deliver a 2022/23 Annual Budget which maintains existing services and balances the books sooner than expected. The $53.6 million-dollar-budget was endorsed with a $13.7 million dollar capital works program featuring 57 projects. Council will spend more than $21 million on material and services providing opportunity for local businesses to work with Council. Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said he was proud of Council staff and the community for working together in such difficult times. “Despite facing skyrocketing costs and global challenges, this budget allows Council to continue to deliver the infrastructure and services which our community deserves and requires,” he said. “People can see this right across the economy, whether it is going to the grocery store, putting fuel in your car, or building something - costs are increasing at an elevated rate, and these are also real costs for Council to consider when budgeting to provide for our shire.”
WHAT’S ON
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“I believe this team of Councillors has managed to get the best result we can to keep the broader general rate rise for residents as low as possible and below CPI, while keeping this Council in a good financial position.” “This is a solid budget which keeps the broader general rate rises below the current CPI of 6%, maintains service levels and ensures we continue on track to financial sustainability considerably earlier than first predicted at the height of the COVID pandemic.” A spending breakdown of the budget’s $13.7M capital works program includes: • Transport & Marine - $4.7M • Water Supply - $3.27M • Council & Community Facilities - $1.83M • Resource Management - $1.5M • Plant and Equipment - $995K • Wastewater - $905K • Drainage - $500K Council also continued to address historical inequities in the rating structure through stage 2 of an independent review into its rating categories. During this review, a 3.9% general rate increase, which falls below the current CPI of
NAIDOC Week
• Church Service, Mossman Gorge, 10 July 5pm • Opening & Flag raising ceremony, Douglas Shire Council, 11 July 10am – 12pm • Goobidi Baby Show, 12 July 10am • Netball Fast 5, Port Douglas Sports Complex, 12 July 4pm – 9pm • Mossman Gorge Gateway Markets, 13 July 10am – 2pm • Elders Lunch, Mossman Shire Hall, 14 July 12pm- 3pm • Street Parade, Douglas Shire Council, 15 July 10am – 1:30pm
6%, was applied across the board with variations to different categories. For a category one property, where a ratepayer lives at the address, the median rate increase is $43 per year, or 82 cents per week. For a property in residential rating category five, where a ratepayer does not live at the address, the median rate increase is $93 per year, or $1.78 per week. This is the same median rate increase for building units where the ratepayer does not live at the address. Council considered feedback from organisations and ratepayers when undertaking the review, as well as recent land valuations completed by the Department of Resources. “Compared to other similar-sized regions across the state, Douglas is in a strong position and despite our small population, we are able to offer a wide, varied and high level of service to our rate base,” Mayor Kerr said. “I believe that this is a sensible budget which is designed to set this Council up to weather the increasing challenges facing all governments and businesses in coming years.”
Douglas Libraries Tech Courses Mossman Library | Bookings Essential
• Using the Library Catalogue & E-Books 11 July, 1pm – 3pm • Introduction to computers – 25 July, 1pm – 3pm • Introduction to the Internet – 1 August, 1pm – 3pm • Introduction to Email – 8 August 1pm – 3pm
70th Annual Mossman Show
Mossman Show Grounds, 17 – 18 July, 2022
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YOUR DOUGLAS NEWS
IN BRIEF
PHOTO PROJECT CAPTURES HISTORY OF PORT DOUGLAS A WALK down memory lane at five well-known locations in Port Douglas has been captured thanks to a Douglas Shire Council grant. The Douglas Shire Historical Society (DSHS) continues to share local history with the community and visitors through five new photo posts installed earlier this year. The additional posts are located at Sugar Wharf, St Mary’s Church, Faugh-a-Ballagh train, Clink Theatre and Port Douglas Cemetery. Council is encouraging the community to start thinking about applying to the Council’s Grants Program which will open in August this year. The grants program consists of micro grants worth up to $1000 and major grants of up to $10,000. People are encouraged to start researching information about Council grants at Council’s website. ALCHERA DRIVE ROAD WORKS – KERB AND CHANNEL RENEWAL PROGRAM Douglas Shire Council will be operating kerb and channel works on Alchera Drive in Mossman from 5 July until September 2022. There may be periods where residents will only have pedestrian access to their properties, but access will be reinstated as soon as possible. We will endeavour to create minimal impact to the residences access where applicable. We thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation during construction. If you have any questions or queries to do with the project, please contact our head office on 07 4099 9444 or enquires@douglas.qld.gov.au and reference the above stated project.
MOSSMAN GOLF CLUB GETS A SLICE OF RV MARKET Travellers have rolled into Mossman Golf Club’s new RV camping area. The new 18-site RV park to officially tee off the club’s foray into the tourist accommodation market. The new venture allows self-contained recreational vehicles to stay up to seven nights where they can play golf at discounted rates and enjoy the club’s bar and restaurant. The RV camping area is located at the rear boundary of the golf course at the Newell Beach turnoff, north of Mossman. Council did drainage works and approved the new RV Park earlier this year, providing a discount on infrastructure charges and deferred payment to give the new venture the best chance to succeed. Visitors can make a booking by calling 0438 581 269 from 7am – 6pm every day.
PAGE 2 14Cairns CairnsLocal LocalNews, News,Friday, Friday,July July08, 08,2022 2022
July 08, 2022
22/23 BUDGET SUMMARY
Our vision is for a unique, beautiful and sustainable Shire with a connected and inclusive community, thriving economy and deep commitment to protecting the environment for future generations, while honouring our past. Water Supply
$3.27M
Wastewater
$905K
Smart Water Meter Program
1,100,000
Wastewater Pump Renewal Program
40,000
Water Network Service Renewals Program
785,000
600,000
Mossman Water Treatment Plant UF Filter Cartridge Renewals
620,000
Port Douglas Wastewater Treatment Plant Aerators and Diffusers Wastewater Network Renewal Program
120,000
Cooya Beach Reservoir Connect & Commisson
200,000
Port Douglas Wastewater Treatment Plant SBR and Decanter Renewal Works
95,000
Mossman River Intake
100,000
Process Control Renewal Program Wastewater
50,000
Plant and Equipment
$995K
Drainage
$500K
Daintree Ferry network connectivity
71,309
Drainage Renewal Program
200,000
Network Hardware
25,000
300,000
Fleet Renewal Program – Heavy Plant
800,000
Warner / Mowbray Sts Drainage Network Upgrade Phase 3
CCTV Boat Ramps & Jetties
99,000
Transport & Marine
$4.7M
Road Reseal / AC Overlay Renewal Program
900,000
Pavement Renewal Program
900,000
Craiglie Residential Estate Trunk Infrastructure
600,000
Daintree Ferry – Infrastructure Stage 1 Landside upgrades
500,000
Daintree Ferry – North Ramp Installation
100,000
Gravel Road resheet program
450,000
Council & Community Facilities
$1.83M
Parks Renewal Program
652,000
Building and Facilities Renewal Program
350,000
Sports Master Plan Implementation for Port Douglas and Mossman
250,000
Dunal Beach Access – Coastal Hazard Adaption Strategy Implementation
200,000
Resource Management
$1.5M
Killaloe Landfill – Final Capping
1,300,000
Sanitary Depot – Final Capping
60,000
Newell Landfill Capping
147,000
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
$13.7M
HOW COUNCIL SPENDS EVERY $100: Interest Revenue $389K
Water & Wastewater $17.90
Roads Maintenance $16.80
Gardens, Parks & Sports $14.20
Infrastructure, Machinery & Facilities $12.70
Governance and Administration $12.00
Waste Management & Recycling $9.60
Community & Economic Development $6.20
IT Services $5.10
Planning, Environment & Disaster Management $3.40
Health & Local Laws $2.10
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENDITURE
$53.6M
Other Operating Revenue $1.1M
Revenue
Grants & Subsidies $3.3M
Net Rates & Utilities $38.8M
Fees & Charges $7.3M
Finance Costs $171K
Staff to Deliver Services $18M
Expenses
Materials & Services $21.2M
Depreciation $14.2M
TOTAL REVENUE
$50.8M
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YOUR DOUGLAS NEWS
July 08, 2022
COUNCIL TURNS ON $AVINGS W I T H
P R O G R A M
PORT Douglas residents with a new smart water meter could save money on their next water bill. Douglas Shire Council installed the new meters earlier this year and has already reduced water leaks by approximately 200 kL per day - a saving of about five backyard swimming pools. Councillors endorsed pumping $1.1 million into expanding the smart water meter program to all properties with reticulated water supply in Douglas Shire. Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said the smart water meters formed part of Council’s water security strategy for the region. “Douglas is a world-class tourist destination that needs a reliable water supply,” he said. “The smart water meter program helps Council to detect leaks quicker than ever before and reduce the amount of water being wasted. “Council is investing in projects which increase our water supply whilst finding and fixing leaks in our network remains a fundamental focus of this Council.” KEY WATER PROJECTS IN 2022/23 ANNUAL BUDGET • Smart Water Meter Program - $1.1 million • Water Network Service Renewals Program - $785,000 • Mossman Water Treatment Plant - UF Cartridge Renewal - $620,000 • Cooya Beach Reservoir Connect and Commission - $200,000
E X P A N S I O N
• Water Main Renewal - $200,000 • Mossman River Intake Approvals $100,000 Council continues to seek the relevant permits for a secondary intake along the Mossman River with a view to commencing construction as soon as practically possible. WATER SECURITY BACKGROUND NOTES: • Based on current average water usage and projected population growth, the demand for water by the Mossman and Port Douglas communities will reach the limit of Council’s existing water licence to take water from Rex Creek by 2025-2026. • Historically, the allowable take of water from Rex Creek has reduced during the dry season, coinciding with peak tourism season and increased water demand. In recent years, the hot, dry weather has extended later into December meaning a prolonged period of restricted water usage. • Water restrictions can have an impact on tourism-dependant hotels, resorts and short-term accommodation providers in the region, along with the landscaping and horticultural-based businesses that service them.
Douglas Shire Council’s Team Leader of Water Reticulation, Mitch Simpson, checks on the Smart Water Meters in Port Douglas.
MORE SUBSIDIES FOR PENSIONER RATEPAYERS Pensioners will get more help paying their Council rates under a revised rebates policy. Douglas Shire Council updated its Rates Pensioner Remission policy to allow rates assistance to be provided per eligible
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pensioner, per property. No application is necessary as eligibility for rebates will be automatically processed by Council Officers before the next rates notice is issued in July 2022.
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YOUR DOUGLAS NEWS
July 08, 2022
IN BRIEF
HOW COUNCIL SPENDS EVERY $100: Interest Revenue $389K
DEMOLITION WORKS ON MACROSSAN STREET, PORT DOUGLAS Private demolition works will take place at the old Mango Jam restaurant site located on Macrossan Street in Port Douglas from 7am to 5pm from Monday 25 July 2022 until ThursdayWater 28 July 2022. & Wastewater Roads Maintenance This demolition work was approved by a private certifier $16.80 and notified to the State$17.90 Government. To ensure safety at the site, Council will allow four middle parking bays and a loading zone to be used for truck movement during the day.
Other Operating Revenue $1.1M
Revenue
Net Rates & Utilities $38.8M
DOG REGISTRATIONS RISE WITH COUNCIL PROGRAM MORE than 900 new dogs were registered with Gardens, Machinery Douglas Shire Council during a Parks six-month inspectionInfrastructure, and education program across the region. & Facilities & Sports Council staff conducted door-to-door visits to $14.20 $12.70 households from Degarra to Wangetti, leading to 1445 dog registrations and 48 penalty infringement notices. It was the first dog registration audit since Douglas Shire Council was governed by Cairns Regional Council. Council staff also provided extensions and additional assistance to residents who requested it. NEW AUSSIES GET THEIR CITIZENSHIP Governance and
Grants & Subsidies $3.3M
Waste Management & Recycling can $9.60
Administration A group of new Aussies from across the globe officially call Douglas Shire home. $12.00 Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr authorised the 22 new Australian Citizens at a Citizenship Ceremony at the Mossman Shire Hall last month. New citizens came from Estonia, France, Poland, Spain, the Philippines, Denmark, Italy and the United Kingdom. The citizenship ceremony drew a crowd of about 70 people and was the first public ceremony since the COVID-19 pandemic. Community Economic Mayor Kerr said the new&citizens received a warm welcome to the region. Development “People settle into Douglas Shire for many different $6.20 reasons,” he said. “Some fall in love with our beautiful region while on holidays and others move up here for work and never leave. “It was a fantastic honour to watch our new citizens make their pledges and authorise their citizenship today.” According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, about 20% of the population in Douglas Shire was born overseas.
Fees & Charges $7.3M
Finance Costs $171K
TEMPORARYStaffMAINTENANCE Materials IT Services Deliver Expenses & Services $5.10 CLOSURE ATtoServices DAINTREE FERRY $21.2M – $18M NOVEMBER 2022
The Daintree River Ferry will not operate from 10pm Friday 18 November 2022 until Tuesday 22 November 2022 to allow for important safety maintenance work to be completed. ShireLaws Council has organised for contractors to Planning, Environment & HealthDouglas & Local replace the vessel’s northern loading ramp. Management $2.10 MARCH 2023Disaster FERRY CLOSURE FOR DRY DOCKING At this stage, the ferry is expected to resume normal $3.40 operations at 5am Tuesday 22 November, weather Council would also like feedback from the community permitting. about possible dates for the mandatory five-day out of Council will strive to achieve an earlier resumption of water inspection to be scheduled for March 2023. services and have the ferry up and running Monday but confirm this until Sunday. Please email communityliaison@douglas.qld.gov.au, TOTAL OPERATINGor cannot There will be no vehicle ferry service during this period. TOTAL call Gaye Scott on 4099 9414 to advise of any dates in Council anticipates changed traffic conditions on EXPENDITURE March to avoid, if possible. Wednesday 16 November to Friday 18 November at the
$53.6M
northern side of the river while contractors set up the work site. Depreciation While vehicle ferry services will resume by Tuesday 22 November, changed traffic conditions will remain until the $14.2M work site is cleared on the northern side of the river. Council will provide further details about these changed traffic conditions closer to the date. A passenger vessel will take people across the river during the temporary closure period during daylight hours only. Council appreciates the inconvenience these required works may cause residents and thanks the community in advance for their patience whilst works are completed REVENUE to ensure the long-term operational success of the crossing.
$50.8M
07 4099 9444 | PO Box 723, Mossman Q 4873 enquiries@douglas.qld.gov.au | douglas.qld.gov.au
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