Your Douglas News - November 2022

YOUR DOUGLAS NEWS N O V

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NEW ANICHS BRIDGE READY FOR WET WORK on the new Anichs Bridge near Mossman has been completed despite a busy sugarcane harvest season and multiple flood events.

The old Anichs Bridge has been replaced with a new crossing that has a 44-tonne load rating, 100-year life and greater flood resilience than the previous bridge.

The new structure is designed to better withstand being flooded and hit with debris, speeding up the ability to re-open the crossing after floods.

The $1.09 million project was cofunded by the Australian Government and Douglas Shire Council under the Bridges Renewal Program.

The crossing also provides access

for tourists visiting Silky Oaks Lodge.

Federal Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Minister Kristy McBain said: “This project is a great example of what the Australian Government’s Bridges Renewal investment is all about – upgrading and replacing bridges to connect communities and reduce freight costs for businesses.

“Good infrastructure investment creates jobs, builds opportunity and unlocks economic growth and productivity.

“Resilient and reliable transport is the backbone of the nation, and this is a fantastic example of our investment benefitting the Mossman region.”

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said: “Completing the upgrade to the sugarcane route was an extra sweet achievement for Douglas Shire Council, whose crew worked with local contractors to complete construction and manage disruptions to the cane harvest.

“Council is really proud of our staff who built the new bridge in challenging conditions through COVID-19 and contended with three different flood events during construction.

“We also worked with our local growers and the Mossman Mill to minimise disruption and put in a temporary bypass to allow access through construction.”

Adventure reaches new heights in the Daintree SWINGING through the canopy of the Daintree Rainforest is back.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr (pictured) joined Experience Co to officially open Treetops Adventures Cape Tribulation last month.

Visitors will be able to experience a bird’s eye view of the ancient rainforest as

they swoosh through the green jungle.

The new tourism attraction features 10 ziplines, a 360-degree viewing platform, relaxing tree top walk and interpretative talk.

It’s great to see another amazing experience available to travellers and locals lucky enough to call Douglas home.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr geared up for the opening of Treetop Adventures in Cape Tribulation

Even local wildlife attended the opening

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Cairns Local News, Friday, November 11, 2022 PAGE 13

YOUR DOUGLAS NEWS

Nov 11, 2022

Daintree Ferry – November 2022 temporary maintenance closure A REMINDER the Daintree River Ferry will not operate from 10pm Friday 18 November 2022 until 5am Tuesday 22 November 2022.

The vessel’s northern loading ramp will be replaced, and the ferry will resume normal operations at 5am Tuesday 22 November.

There will be no vehicle ferry service during this period.

Traffic conditions will be impacted in the lead up to the closure and there will be changes to Council’s garbage collection services. Details are below:

Traffic Conditions Wednesday 16th November – 10:30am to 11am Dawson Engineers will be loading the new ramp onto a truck for transport over the river on Wednesday 16 November. It is anticipated, the ramp and a crane will cross the ferry between 10:30am and 11am. No other vehicles, apart from pilot vehicles, will be transported while the ramp and crane are taken across the Daintree River.

Once offloaded, the ramp and crane will be transported to the SES area in Forest Creek Road where it will stay until after 10:00pm Friday 18th November.

The load will be oversize, so traffic control on the northern side of the river will hold back traffic on Cape Tribulation Road, just north of Forest Creek Rd and west of the SES yard on Forest Creek Road while the transport operation is underway.

Vehicles travelling north can expect a delay for up to 20 minutes while the ramp and crane are being transported across the river.

Vehicles travelling south can also expect a similar delay of 20 minutes.

Thursday 17th November No traffic impacts anticipated.

Friday 18th November Contractors will commence site setup on the northern side of the Daintree River at 10am, from which time dropping off or picking up passengers from river cruises on the northern side of the river

will not be possible.

There will also be no access to the toilets on the northern side from 10am.

Saturday 19th, Sunday 20th, Monday 21st November A passenger vessel will be operating from 6am to 6pm. On the southern side, it will depart from the public pontoon near the crocodile cruise terminal at the ferry crossing. This will be a free service.

A bus will be based on the northern side, to shuttle people between river and the supervised SES car parking area on Forest Creek Road. Signs will be in place to assist motorists. A security guard will be at the SES shed site for the whole closure period. As with the passenger ferry, the shuttle bus is a free service.

The school bus services transporting students from north of the river will not be operating on Monday 21 November, but will resume Tuesday 22 November.

People wanting to leave a car on the southern side, may park their cars at the crocodile cruise terminal near the vehicle ferry crossing.

Queensland Ambulance will have an ambulance based north of the Daintree River for the duration of the closure.

Tuesday 22 November No traffic impacts anticipated. The contractor will demobilise late Monday, or prior to 5am Tuesday.

Activities brewing for Seniors Month

DOUGLAS Shire Councillors sat down with local seniors for a cuppa and a chat as part of Seniors month activities.

The events were a great opportunity for seniors to talk to their elected members over morning tea in a casual setting.

Seniors Month is an opportunity to give back and celebrate our older generation.

Mossman Library also hosted a number of events throughout the month.

The final Council cuppa and Douglas Shire Council library staff at chat was held at Heritage Lodge Seniors Month activities in Diwan.

Douglas Shire Deputy Mayor Lisa Scomazzon and Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr

Kerbside Garbage Collection The closure will impact all customers with a kerbside service north of Daintree River.

Cleanaway will service kerbside bins over the river on Tuesday 22 November.

Customers are requested to put their wheelie bins out on the evening of Monday 21 November evening for collection on Tuesday 22 November.

There will be no impact to the Daintree Village service, their bins will be serviced on Monday as normal.

ry r e F ee r t n i Da s g e n i r u m s o Clo Upc y r a or p m e T

Douglas Shire Council Deputy Mayor Lisa Scomazzon, Cr Peter McKeown and Mayor Michael Kerr with locals at Temptations Cafe in Mossman

Check Road Conditions & Flood Cameras at Douglas Dashboard

November 2022 - Maintenance Stops: 10pm, Friday 18th Starts: 5am, Tuesday 22nd Daytime passenger ferry will be available* *There will be changed traffic conditions on Wednesday 16 November to Friday 18 November at the northern side of the river while contractors set up the work site. These will remain until the work site is cleared on the northern side of the river after works are complete.

March 2023 - Mandatory inspection Stops: 12:01am, Monday 6th Starts: 5am, Saturday 11th For more information, please visit Council's website or call 4099 9444

PAGE 14 Cairns Local News, Friday, November 11, 2022

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YOUR DOUGLAS NEWS

Nov 11, 2022

PASSPORT FOR FNQ TO GET PEOPLE TO

DO IT IN DOUGLAS

FAR North Queenslanders can Do It In Douglas for free over the next four months with the annual Douglas Card promotion underway.

Douglas Shire Council and Tourism Port Douglas Daintree (TPDD) are teaming up to kickstart the regional push to holiday in the Daintree Rainforest this summer.

Unlimited free Daintree Ferry trips and two free adult tickets to the Mossman Gorge headline the annual promotion,

which also taps into the lure of the picturesque Great Barrier Reef Drive.

The usual return ferry fee of $45 does not apply to local Douglas cardholders until February 29 next year. Local is classed as residents from Cardwell to Cooktown, including the Atherton Tablelands.

For more information, please visit the Daintree Ferry website at:

www.daintreeferry.com.au/residents-frequent-users

Annual Report details Council achievements A STRONGER financial position alongside the delivery of key projects and a high level of service has been revealed in Douglas Shire Council’s latest annual report.

Council has endorsed the 2021/22 Annual Report which details the organisation’s progress to meet strategic goals and presents its financial statements.

Council finished the financial year with a $601,800 operating deficit – a significant improvement on the previously budgeted deficit of $2.9 million.

Spear headed by significant road upgrades in the northern parts of the region, Council finished 71 capital works projects with $31.4 million committed or spent in the past 12 months.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said the annual report provided an overview of Council’s performance and achievement.

“Douglas has stood tall and emerged in a desirable financial position compared to other similar-sized regions,” he said.

“We have experienced a tourism season like no other, with domestic tourists rediscovering our unique pocket of paradise, and Council has continued to provide the high level of service expected by locals and travellers.

“The annual report details Council’s ability to be prudent financial managers and

keep delivering for the community.”

Key capital projects included the $1.8 million Killaloe Resource Recovery Centre, the $10 million northern roads package, the Mossman to Cooya Beach Cycleway and stage one of the Smart Water Meter Program.

Port Douglas Carnivale continued to be a roaring success, generating about $5.3 million worth of economic activity, and contributing to more than 20,000 visitor nights across 10 days in May. Council also increased efforts to attract investment and support the local business sector through the revamped Do It In Douglas campaign.

Mayor Kerr said Council’s focus was to continue to deliver critical services and support the community through the current challenges facing all governments.

“The tourism bounce back has been tremendous and we have seen more domestic visitors here than before the pandemic,” he said.

“Though challenges lay ahead, our strong team is dedicated to serving the community and improving how we do business.”

The Queensland Audit Office also issued an unqualified report, which reflects that Council is a well-governed organisation with strong controls in place.

Council wins Risk Award at State Conference DOUGLAS Shire Council was thrilled to receive the LGMS 2022 Risk Excellence Award for its early flood warning systems.

Council installed new rain gauges, river level sensors and is using new flood modelling to improve its decision-making during severe weather events.

We now have more information about our creeks and rivers than ever before.

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The Douglas Card is now available for people living in FNQ areas

LOCAL SCHOOL STUDENTS WIN NATIONAL AWARD MIALLO State School students were recognised for their contribution towards biodiversity research after adding 295 new species to a citizen science project.

The Great Aussie BioQuest is a citizen science competition where participants use their mobile phones to upload photos of insects, birds, spiders, reptiles, fungi - basically any wild plant or animal they can find.

The school helped Douglas Shire beat more than 500 council areas across the country in the ‘Great Aussie BioQuest in August this year.

Deputy Mayor Lisa Scomazzon presented students with the Community Engagement Award to the teachers and students of Miallo State School.

Miallo State School students were recognised

Deputy Mayor Lisa Scomazzon joined Council staff to accept the award at the Local Government Association of Queensland conference in Cairns last month.

Remember to be prepared and stay connected at Douglas Dashboard https://dashboard.douglas.qld.gov.au/

Cairns Local News, Friday, November 11, 2022 PAGE 15

YOUR DOUGLAS NEWS

Nov 11, 2022

MOSSMAN RSL REVAMPS WAR MUSEUM BEFORE REMEMBRANCE DAY A LOCAL war museum has received a makeover and is ready to welcome new visitors.

The team at Mossman RSL added handcrafted boats and planes among other pieces of war memorabilia in the past few months.

Mossman RSL Secretary Wally Gray now reckons the place is ready to welcome visitors and school groups.

“We have some really interesting pieces on display, the war ships are hand crafted from scratch, we have old newspaper clippings, ex-military firearms, a medal display board and much more,” he said.

“Most memorabilia was donated by our local community over the years. For example, the big poppy field was donated by Port Douglas Country Women’s Association, we have a mosaic made from images of cenotaphs from Australia and New Zealand which was donated by Mossman Bowls Club, and the artwork outside was painted by students at the Mossman State High School.”

“A lot of spirit and hard work has gone into creating this museum and we would really like to share it with the community.”

The museum, which has been collecting the memorabilia since 1918, also has a library where members can borrow books, or the public can read them on site.

If anyone would like to visit, please give Wally a call on 0448 686 415 for a tour. It is located at the Mossman RSL Sub-branch at 28 Johnston Rd. The museum opens on request, ahead of the 102nd observance of Remembrance Day outside Council’s Mossman Administration Building on Front Street.

Douglas Shire Council and Mossman RSL invite the public to attend and lay a wreath from 10.30am on Thursday 11 November. Light morning tea to follow.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr, said it was an important day to pause and reflect.

“Douglas had more than 220 local soldiers enlisted in World War One, including the 41 who died on the battlefield, so it is

important to remember the sacrifice they made so we could live freely in this beautiful part of the world,” he said.

“I would like to invite everyone down to the Remembrance Day service to unite in solemn respect and remembrance for those who served and died.”

Remembrance Day is the anniversary of the Armistice that ended fighting with Germany in World War I. People around the world observe one minute’s silence at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month because the Armistice came into effect then.

Locals Supporting Locals This Christmas THE 2022 Mayor’s Christmas Appeal is now raising money to go directly towards food hampers that will be provided for eligible residents of the Douglas Shire.

How To Donate: An online donation portal is available for people to donate money to the appeal, with donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.

• Donate at https://www.trybooking.com/au/donate/douglasxmas2022 • Douglas Shire Council will have collection points around the shire and will be seeking unopened children’s presents and toys for kids of all ages, as well as food and adult luxury items.

WHAT’S ON

• Friday 11 November – Remembrance Day at Mossman Admin Building, 10.30am • Saturday 12 November – Mossman Markets, 7am – 1pm • Saturday 12 November – HAVE YOUR SAY - Port Douglas Skate Park Redesign - Port Douglas IGA, 9am to 12pm • Saturday 12 November – HAVE YOUR SAY - Port Douglas Skate Park Redesign - Port Douglas Skate Park, 3pm to 6pm • Sunday 13 November – Port Douglas Sunday Markets, 8am – 1.30pm • Monday 14 November - Mossman SES Open Day, 5pm – 7pm • Tuesday 15 November – Tai Chi For Health, Port Douglas Community Hall, 9am

Mossman RSL Secretary Wally Gray looking at a handcrafted boat at the Mossman RSL museum

• Thursday 17 November - Tai Chi For Health, Mossman Pool, 9am • Friday 18 November – Mayor’s Christmas Appeal Luncheon, Salsa Bar n Grill, 12pm.

• Saturday 19 November – Mossman Markets, 7am – 1pm • Sunday 20 November – Port Douglas Sunday Markets, 8am – 1.30pm • Tuesday 22 November – Tai Chi For Health, Port Douglas Community Hall, 9am • Thursday 24 November – Tai Chi For Health, Mossman Pool, 9am • Saturday 26 November – Mossman Markets, 7am – 1pm • Sunday 27 November – Port Douglas Sunday Markets, 8am – 1.30pm • Tuesday 29 November – Ordinary Council Meeting, Mossman Administration Building 10am • Thursday 31 November – Tai Chi For Health, Mossman Pool, 9am

07 4099 9444 | PO Box 723, Mossman Q 4873 enquiries@douglas.qld.gov.au | douglas.qld.gov.au PAGE 16 Cairns Local News, Friday, November 11, 2022

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