Your Douglas News - October 2021

YOUR DOUGLAS NEWS ISSUE #1 - OCT/NOV 2021 In this issue: - Fishing Fun Day at Newell Beach - Anichs Bridge Upgrade - Progress on Cycle Network - Meet our new Douglas Aussies - Mossman gets saucy Get more information at Council’s website! www.douglas.qld.gov.au/ A new series of videos will be released in coming weeks as part of a new ‘Do It In Douglas’ campaign. Local business owners, including Cape Tribulation Wilderness Tours Owner, Ernie Dillon (pictured), feature in the short videos showcasing what is great about living in Douglas Shire.

NEW $1.8M RESOURCE RECOVERY CENTRE AT KILLALOE TRANSFER STATION A LARGE multi-purpose Resource Recovery Centre will increase recycling rates and reduce waste going to landfill from the Killaloe Transfer Station.

Contractors finished the final earthworks this month to mark the end of construction for the $1.8 million Resource Recovery Centre at Killaloe.

The new facility will be used for domestic and commercial waste disposal whilst housing an undercover area for the transfer station operations team to sort and salvage before it is sent away.

NOMINATE A LOCAL LEGEND FOR 2022 AUS DAY AWARD THE chance to nominate a local legend in Douglas Shire is here.

Nominations are now open across seven categories for the 2022 Australia Day Awards to recognise those who have gone above and beyond for the community in the past 12 months. Volunteers, sports stars, environmental advocates, artists, and every day high achievers are in the frame for civic

recognition on January 26 next year. Anyone can complete an online nomination form at Council’s website today.

The seven award categories are: Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Arts and Cultural Award, Environmental Achievement Award, Senior Sports Award and Junior Sports Award.

Nominations close Friday 19 November 2021 so spread the message and make sure someone doing great things in the Douglas Shire gets the credit they deserve.

Nomination forms can also be picked up at Council’s Customer Service Centres.

07 4099 9444 | douglas.qld.gov.au

WELCOME TO COUNCIL’S NEWSLETTER! THANK YOU for picking up your first edition of Douglas Shire Council’s FREE community newsletter.

The ‘Your Douglas’ newsletter is your new way to read about Council’s projects, decisions, events and initiatives. Published quarterly, you will find a copy at a number of different locations across the Shire from cafe’s, to supermarkets, to your local library.

In this edition, you can read about fantastic projects, meet some of our new Aussies, plus a a nice collection of community photographs from the past few weeks. Please email any feedback or suggestions to media@douglas.qld. gov.au so we can keep improving this newsletter.

For more regular and detailed updates, you can go to Council’s website, follow us on social media, or sign up to our fortnightly E-newsletter.

UNDERWATER HOCKEY TO MAKE WAVES MOSSMAN - GRAB your stick, puck, and snorkel? That’s right! Hockey is better when it’s wetter, the Mossman Pool is putting an underwater twist on the classic game of hockey, and you can come to try the cool innovative sport for FREE. The Cairns Underwater Hockey Association is inviting the community to a “Come & Try” event at the Mossman Pool from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm Thursday 28 October.

Underwater hockey is suitable for people from all walks of life and fitness abilities, it’s a non-contact community sport with men and women competing against each other on an equal basis. It’s fast, furious, and a lot of fun.

COVID RELIEF FOR MARKET STALLHOLDERS PORT Douglas Markets stallholders will receive discounts from October 1 to help soften the impact of border closures on their businesses. Stallholder

CHEERS TO 340 YEARS OF SERVICE TO DOUGLAS SHIRE COMMUNITY HARD-working Council employees who clocked up more than three centuries of collective service to the community have been recognised for their contribution. Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr and Acting Chief Executive Officer Juanita Warner presented 20 employees with certificates aknowledging their service.

fees will be reduced to wet season levels.

DAINTREE FERRY COMMITTEE TO BE SET UP A DAINTREE Ferry Advisory Committee will be established to help enhance efficiency and improve the delivery of service. Council will seek expressions of interest to join the committee.

ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS REVEAL BUDGET IMPROVEMENT The 2020/21 Annual Financial Statements have revealed a $1.43 million improvement on budget. The Queensland Audit Office will issue an unmodified audit opinion after auditing the statements.

GETTING INTO BEDS WITH ENDEAVOUR A NEW partnership will help put an age-old waste management issue to bed.

Council will is working with Endeavour Foundation to reduce the number of mattresses going to landfill, while creating jobs for people with an intellectual disability.

The initiative will save more than 693 cubic metres of waste from going of landfill each year.

That volume is equivalent to 17 fully-grown African elephants! About 70% of the region’s mattresses will be recycled, except for badly soiled mattresses.

07 4099 9444 | douglas.qld.gov.au

NEWELL BEACH BOAT MOSSMAN POOL UPGRADES RAMP WORKS NEWELL BEACH - The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has started construction of an all-tide boating facility at the Newell Beach boat ramp. The boat ramp and jetty will be closed for the duration of the works, which are due for completion midnext year, weather permitting.

Alternative launch sites at Cooya Beach, Dayman Point, the Daintree River and Port Douglas Boat Harbour are available. The design features a new, two-lane, boat ramp with a central fixed walkway.

MOSSMAN - New lights, grandstands and recreational areas are greeting swimmers at a more inclusive Mossman Pool. Council has completed a raft of upgrades and repairs at the popular site just in time for the tropical summer heat.

Council is now taking bookings for lane hire, birthday parties and even Christmas events.

New stairs and railings were also installed to support the elderly and those with restricted movement access who wish to get into the 50m pool.

ANICHS BRIDGE UPGRADE FINLAYVALE - The Anichs Bridge upgrade will see a significant increase in load rating [44T] enabling sugar cane growers to transport cane to the local sugar mill.

Given the crossing is the only practical access to 14 properties, a bypass constructed upstream will enable vehicles access and egress during construction.

In August, a temporary bypass was built from large rocks and thick steel pipes. The bypass is designed for heavy vehicles 44T. Crews have been constructing headstock framework in preparatiokn for the bridge foundations. Contractors recently installed 10 bridge piles, each 16.5-metres-long and weighing four tonnes, into the ground.

The old Anichs Bridge was a single lane, timber bridge with a rail line running longitudinally through the centre of the bridge deck. The bridge is located on Finlayvale Road, about 1.3 km from Syndicate Road.

Mossman Pool Repairs & Upgrades - Completed

CAPITAL WORKS PROJECTS CONTINUE In the 2020/21 financial year, Council completed 107 projects and expended or committed $29.473M to the market.

Council Officers are project managing more than 150 individual capital works projects with a combined value of almost $40 million. Council makes a significant investment every year in the infrastructure that underpins the Shire through its capital works program.

The $880,000 Anichs Bridge Upgrade is funded by Douglas Shire Council and the Federal Government’s Bridge Renewal Program.

DAINTREE FLUSH WITH ART DAINTREE - Yalanji artist Lenice Shonenberger has proven even the humble toilet block can be transformed into a colourful work of art. Lenice and her team of artists painted a mural of the Daintree River and its natural wildlife onto the amenities block at the Daintree River Ferry Crossing earlier this year. “ We wanted to give new life to the old building – brighten it up and share a story,” she said. The project was made possible through Council’s 2020 Major Grant Round.

07 4099 9444 | douglas.qld.gov.au

Donovan’s Range - September 2021

Douglas Creek Re-alignment - September 2021

IN BRIEF NEW GEAR TO PUMP SEWAGE TO OUR PLANTS NEW electrical switchboards will be installed to help pump raw sewage into our wastewater treatment plants.

Council awarded a $261,300 contract switchboard upgrades to Closedane Pty Ltd manufacture and install electrical switchboards at various sewerage pump stations in the shire.

DEPUTY MAYOR IS DOUGLAS WASTE REP DEPUTY Mayor Lisa Scomazzon will fly the flag for Douglas at a waste management group for Far North Queensland. Cr Scomazzon is Council’s representative on the FNQROC Regional Waste Management Group, which will develop a Regional Strategic Waste and Materials Recovery Framework.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS TO BE SET UP A PROPOSAL to establish a Council Meeting where members of the public can voice their opinions directly to elected members will be tabled at a future Ordinary Meeting.

‘REELY’ SUCCESSFUL FISHING FUN DAY NEWELL BEACH - Douglas kids came out in force to learn about the importance of sustainable fishing at a fun-filled catch & release event at the Mossman Boat & Fishing Club. A special thanks to the Mossman Boat & Fishing Club who hosted the event, and took kids out fishing on boats, organised games and put on a BBQ breakfast & lunch.

Thank you to all partners including Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Douglas Local Marine Advisory Committee, the Queensland Government’s Crocwise team, Port Douglas Marine Rescue, Kuku Yalanji Cultural Habitat Tours, Styledia, Mossman Bait and Tackle, and Nautical Marine. The event – Fishing For the Future with Kids, was a great success made possible by the generous contributions of sponsors and volunteers.

NEW CARETAKERS FOR WONGA BEACH CARAVAN PARK COUNCIL awarded the one-year caretaker contract to Steve Matterson and Jackie Thomas, with an option to be extend for further 12-month period.

A fully-furnished one-bedroom unit will be constructed on site in due course.

FERRY PROBITY AUDIT RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC AN INDEPENDENT probity audit examining the three-year process for the Daintree River Ferry Service contract can be downloaded and viewed at Council’s website.

07 4099 9444 | douglas.qld.gov.au

GETTING SMARTER WITH WATER METERS Council is reviewing the condition of existing water meters in coming months as it prepares for the planned Smart Water Meter Program.

A $670,000 contract was awarded to Taggle Systems Pty Ltd to complete stage one of the the program, which includes rolling out the hardware to about half of water meters and receivers at properties in Douglas Shire.

A smart water meter is a digital device that measures, in real time, the amount of water in use, then via a low frequency radio transmitter securely sends data to Council for processing The ability to analyse and monitor the information collected on every household, business and public space will be a powerful tool. Council expects the smart water

program will reduce water loss, improve accuracy of water rates billing and increase participation in water saving practices with an ability to provide real-time water usage data to the community. Stage One of the Smart Water Meter Program has been funded from the Queensland Government’s 2021-24 Works For Queensland program.

MAYOR’S 2021 CHRISTMAS APPEAL LAUNCHED SANTA Claus made a special visit to Mossman to help launch the 2021 Mayor’s Christmas Appeal. All money raised will go directly towards food hampers that will be provided for eligible residents of the Douglas Shire.

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FAST FACTS MOSSMAN NURSERY: September 2021

2668 trees potted up.

1180 trees for public works.

Donate now at Council’s website or at one of the collection points.

3056 6 trees for coastal rehabilitation this year.

28,400m3 of weeds treated for coastal rehabilitation this year.

58 building applications from July to September 2021 2057 dogs registered in July 2021

383supplied to community

WASTE & RECYCLING:

1579 supplied.

July to September 2021

12 crocodiles sightings reported in Douglas Shire since 1 July 2021. Be Croc-wise in croc country.

3374 tonnes of waste 632 tonnes of recycling

07 4099 9444 | douglas.qld.gov.au

LOCAL business heroes feature in a new video to promote the Plastic Free Places program across Douglas Shire. Grant St Kitchen, N17 Burger Co and Captain & Co Espresso have combined to represent the raft of businesses who have already joined the Plastic Free Cairns & Douglas program.

Politely refusing single use items we don’t need and choosing to reuse are key messages in the video that aims to inspire businesses and customers to get onboard with the plastic free movement and take a proactive approach to being free of single use plastics.

CALL OF THE RUNNING TIDE 2021

Call of the Running Tide Environmental Sculpture and Multimedia Festival 2021 was held last month. Artworks were exhibited across Port Douglas at Rex Smeal Park and the Port Douglas Community Centre. The festival aims to respond to local, regional and global environmental issues through art. Pictured above are artists Anna Curtis and Marion Gaeme (top right).

LOOKING BACK AT MOSSMAN Mill Street, 1916

Aerial shot 1950s

The old Mossman Hotel and a view of Mossman Gorge from Front Street in 1912.

MEET OUR 12 NEWEST AUSSIE CITIZENS! Valentina Cosaro, Italy

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr, new citizen Marcia Gabrielli from Brazil and Deputy Mayor Lisa Scomazzon

Mary Harley, Ireland.

Viviane Mazza, Brazil

Madeline Diebolt, France

Ian O’Mahoney, Ireland

Angel Ruiz, Spain

William Blanchard, USA

Karen & David French, UK

Peter Quigley, USA

DOUGLAS Shire welcomed another diverse group of new Aussies at a Citizenship Ceremony in Port Douglas last month. Mayor Michael Kerr welcomed 12 new citizens, before presenting each new Aussie with their certificate alongside Deputy Mayor Lisa Scomazzon.

The 12 new Aussies were welcomed from a range of countries including United States of America, Italy, France, United Kingdom, Brazil, Ireland, and Spain.

Everyone was fittingly gifted a native plant from the Mossman Nursery.

Joanna Sutherland, UK

ACTIVE8 RIDE SAFE FOR KIDS

COVID RELIEF FOR MARKET

Douglas Shire Council teamed up with the Department of Transport and Main Roads for the ‘Active8 Ride Safe For Kids’ program in September. The local youngsters learned about road safety, with instructors passing on new techniques and skills for them to practice.

The program was held at various times at Port Douglas Community Hall and Bells Park, Wonga Beach. It was designed for young kids to encourage more local school kids to ride their bikes around town.

In 2019, Council resurfaced a netball court with a road cycling skills surface at Bells Park in Wonga, specifically for kids to learn how to ride and navigate traffic and changing road conditions.

DAINTREE FERRY COMMITTEE TO BE SET UP

PLANNING CORNER Below is a list of planning highlights for the past three months: Ocean Breeze Estate – Stage 5C & 5D Construction has started on the next two stages of the estate at Cooya Beach.

Wave Park - Mowbray - A Resort Complex comprising a Wave Park and a range of ancillary and associated uses.

Residential Estate - Craiglie - Construction nearing completion on Stage 1.

Assessment of Stage 2 comprising 32 lots is continuing.

Port Douglas Helipad - A development application has been lodged for a – Air Services (Helipad) and Caretaker’s Accommodation at 35-39 Port Street.

For more information, please visit: https://douglas.qld.gov.au/ development-applications/

KEEPING ACTIVE THIS SUMMER TAI CHI FOR HEALTH

ZUMBA

Rex Smeal Park, Tuesdays at 9am

Dixie Park (Sugar Wharf ), Wednesdays at 5:15PM

Tai Chi for Health is a program designed to improve balance, strength and coordination. This program suits all ages and abilities. Tai Chi is one of the most effective exercises for health of mind and body.

If you have a disability or recovering from illness you may bring a chair and the class can be adapted to support you.

Move, dance and have fun! Active8 Zumba incorporates routines and step aerobics with Latin dance rhythms. All ages and all abilities welcome, including kids!

JUST START FITNESS

Rex Smeal Park, Thursdays at 9AM No fitness experience or equipment required.

Just fun, motivating, social workouts hosted by an accredited Active8 Instructor!

MOSSMAN RV PARK SURVEY RESULTS

AQUA FIT

Mossman Pool, Wednesdays at 5:15pm Aqua Fit is a fun entry level program designed for participants to have fun, get fit and enjoy themselves in a low impact environment.

Normal Aquafit entry = $9 Seniors Aquafit Entry = $7 Check in is required upon entry to the pool facility.

CHEERS TO SES MENTOR Douglas Shire Council’s Team Leader for Civil Maintenance, Daryl Cheer (pictured left) was awarded the National Emergency Medal for his contribution during Tropical Cyclone Debbie, as well as taking out the Regional Member of the Year for the second time at a ceremony held at Warringa Lakes in Innisfail. Mr Cheer has gone above and beyond for Queensland communities.

A total of 381 people responded to the RV Park survey.

- 94% agreed an RV Park would be good for the Mossman economy.

- 72% of respondents preferred 50 sites over 20 sites.

- 72 businesses support it.

07 4099 9444 | douglas.qld.gov.au

MOSSMAN GETS SAUCY WITH KECAP MANIS MOSSMAN - Council has approved an application by CocoNutz Australia Pty Ltd for construction of a Kecap Manis Research and Pilot Plant at the Mossman Mill. The company is a food technology company with Singaporean and Australian patents for fermentation biotechnology to produce natural flavours and flavour pre-cursors. The patented technoloy is capable of developing a variety of naural sweeteners to transform sugar cane juice into food ingredients and condiments.

One application is the creation of a natural sweetener that replaced the expensive coconut sugar component in Kecap Manis, a sweetened soy sauce used widely in Southeast Asia.

The commercial application of this process is a first for this technology and is proposed at Mossman Mill. CocoNutz will lease and occupy an area at the Mossman Mill, using existing buildings and a new building with car parking, vehicle turning areas and billet storage. THe pilot plant is expected to operate throughout the year, not just during crushing season, provided sugar cane billets can be harvested and transported. The proposed development will lead to local job creation.

CYCLEWAYS PUSH AHEAD MOSSMAN - Council has received $2.25 million through the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) to construct a shared pedestrian cycle way bridge and pathway between Kubirri Aged Care Centre and Mossman Gorge Centre.

Crews have also started earthworks along Bonnie Doon Rd, which is part of the Mossman to Cooya Beach cycleway.

This project includes earthworks, installing stormwater drainage, signage and line marking, installing fence barriers and construction of a new three-metre-wide concrete path.

IN BRIEF WONGA WORKS TO REDUCE VEHICLE ACCESS PEDESTRIAN beach access tracks will be formalised with new fencing to reduce vehicle access at Wonga Beach Community Park. The fence will start from the bollards near the basketball court and run intermittently along the foreshore amongst the vegetation.

ROAD RESEAL UNDERWAY Contractors have re-sealed Tulip Oak Road, Cow Bay. Reseal works will also be carried out at Mountain View Road, Mossman, Lower Cassowary Road, St. Crispin’s Avenue and Wharf Street, Port Douglas shortly.

MACROSSAN-OWEN INTERSECTION UPGRADE WORKS are nearing completionwith final paving and landscaping work to be done in October 2021.

WALK TO THE POOL A SECTION of a footpath on Hart Street in Mossman has been upgraded. The improved pedestrian access makes it easier for people to walk to and from the Mossman Pool.

REEF PARK LIGHTING PHASE two of the Reef Park Street Lighting project in Port Douglas will start soon. Council crews are currently seeking quotes for to upgrade lighting at St Crispins Avenue, Endeavour St and Ruby Close.

BEAN BAG BALLS BEACH CLEAN-UP COUNCIL workers and members of the public worked together to clean up a large amount of polystyrene balls found washed up on Four Mile Beach. The bean bag balls, which were stretched for over a kilometre from Four Mile Park, were required to be picked up by hand.

Council would like to thank the public for their assistance.

07 4099 9444 | douglas.qld.gov.au

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE *NOW TO MID-DECEMBER* GRADER / UNSEALED ROADS - Gravel Re-sheet north of the Daintree River. Repairs on Rykers Road.

ASPHALT PATCHING - Mossman and Port Douglas - Various areas

PATCHING

SPLASH OF COLOUR FOR NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK 2021

- 4-week cycle during wet season - 8-weeks cycle during dry season

CULTURE - Action was the resounding message when the community came together for National Reconciliation Week (NRW) earlier this year. The Colour Fun Run, hosted by Douglas Shire Council and the Indigenous Events Committee kicked off the NRW Community Day festivities on the Port Douglas foreshore. The day also included the Sea of Hands community art installation, cultural performances, food trucks and Indigenous National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

From The Heart Director, Dean Parkin travelled up from Brisbane to share this emphatic message of reconciliation speaking on the importance of the Uluru Statement From The Heart, and the importance of all-inclusive and purposeful change.

COMING UP

30 NOVEMBER 2021 An Ordinary Council Meeting will be held at Mossman Administration Building at 10am. WATCH LIVE at Council’s website.

5 DECEMBER 2021 Community Christmas Carols under the Mossman Raintrees. Sausage sizzle from 5.30pm. 6.30pm start.

MAYOR’S CHRISTMAS APPEAL Donate today to help out those who will be strugging to enjoy Christmas this year. Donations can be made in person or online at Council’s website.

8 DECEMBER 2021 Mossman Night Markets - local handcrafted gifts, food items, entertainment, and much more!

5pm to 9pm

at Mossman Administration Building from 10am. WATCH LIVE at Council’s website.

17 DECEMBER 2021 Mossman Street Christmas - Front Street will be closed to traffic. Entertainment, food trucks, market stalls, amusements and a special visit from Santa.

6pm to 10pm

31 DECEMBER 2021 New Year’s Eve Celebrations - Dixie Park, Port Douglas. 8pm and midnight shows.

Return of the UV disco.

14 DECEMBER 2021 An Ordinary Council meeting will be held

07 4099 9444 | PO Box 723, Mossman Q 4873 enquiries@douglas.qld.gov.au | douglas.qld.gov.au Every effort has been made to ensure that information is correct at time of printing.

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