by Mat Churchill

A survey conducted by the Port Douglas Chamber of Commerce has revealed that there was a high level of dissatisfaction among respondents toward the recent road Coral Coast and Challenge Cairns triathlons.

Road closures (and a perceived lack of information) and a reduction in Sunday trading were cited as the main concerns, however the Chamber report showed many businesses were "willing to make some sacrifice for the benefit of the region."

45 businesses replied to the survey which resulted in a number of key findings including:

• The average impact on business on May 29 (Coral Coast triathlon) resulted in a 29% drop in sales compared to the previous Sunday.
• 55% of respondents were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the partial road closure on May 29.
• The average impact on business on June 5 (Challenge Cairns triathlon) resulted in a 52% drop in sales compared to the previous day.
• 67% of respondents reported a level of dissatisfaction with the road closures on June 5.

The survey report qualified this information by noting that these figures "are estimates and provide an indication only..." and "there may have been better days to use for comparison based on past history."

The report went on to say that a survey was not conducted before or after the event "to see what benefit the event may have had on the lead up or after the event."

Feedback was also received from respondents as to how Challenge Cairns could be improved to lessen the impact on Port Douglas businesses. Suggestions included:

1. Change road closure signage information to reduce confusion for locals and tourists
2. Consider having half road open between Oak beach and Port using witches hats to allow residents and tourists in this region to travel to Port.
3. Improve communication to tourists/locals and police on road access information.
4. Increase the number of water transport boats between Cairns and Port over the day. Also improve the communication of timetables to all residents and tourists in the Cairns region
5. Change the event to a Saturday
6. Start swim leg in Port (4 Mile Beach) to allow roads to open up in the morning
7. Cyclists to use the Mareeba/Tablelands route rather than come to Port Douglas
8. Alternate the start between Cairns and Port each year
9. Increase the media exposure of the event
10. Incorporate another event in the main street on the day
11. Have the turnaround at the Esplanade rather than Macrossan Street

USM Events, the organisers of Challenge Cairns are currently undertaking a comprehensive debrief of the event.

"We are collating all feedback and will look at it constructively," a USM Events spokesperson said. "We have  identified that there are areas of Port Douglas we need to work on moving forward.

"We believe that Port Douglas is a fantastic asset to the event and that it will be a highlight for those competitors involved in 2012 and beyond. If the community and businesses do not see the validity of the course entering Port, then we will take this into account.

"It is with great expense the course enters Port Douglas, so it must work for all involved. Overall, we believe that a solid foundation has been created for the years to come and are now aware of the areas we can build and leverage," she said.