Member for Cook Jason O'Brien MP yesterday confirmed that the Port Douglas Waterfront development is to receive the proceeds of the land sales from the two Meridien leases.
 
Mr O’Brien welcomed the State Budget announcement saying that it confirmed the Bligh Government's commitment to the residents of Douglas.  

"This is a win for us locals", he said. "The Port Douglas Waterfront development is a project close to the heart of most residents, and will no doubt become an integral and much-loved facet of the community's identity.  

"It will be an invaluable asset to the local tourism industry, particularly as the ocean is off limits for much of the year, and given the project's location.  The Premier and Treasurer have responded to our lobbying and provided a commitment that the sale proceeds will go directly towards public user infrastructure of the project".

Mr O'Brien said that he also expected Douglas businesses to benefit from increased funding for tourism promotion particularly around events, and that roads infrastructure remained the other high priority for the region.

"This community (is) totally reliant upon roads, both for access for locals and tourists," Mr O'Brien said, "So I am happy to today announce $2.2 million to complete roadside delineation works on the Captain Cook Highway between Palm Cove and Craiglie. There is also $400,000 to complete roadside delineation works at various locations along the Mossman-Daintree Road.

"This is in addition to $131.8 million provided for recovery and reconstruction works on the road network within Far North Queensland following the natural disasters throughout the region", he said.

Other announcements relevant to the Douglas region include:

• $120,000 towards the construction of a swimming pool and associated amenities at Wangetti Beach
• $301,000 to Tourism Tropical North Queensland to focus on regional projects that contribute to tourism development and marketing
• $310,000 to provide additional beach patrol services and lifeguard services, expanded communications and camera surveillance networks for FNQ regional beaches
• $38,000 for floodway improvements on a section of Euluma Creek Road, east of Julatten
• $8.24 million for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Marine Parks Field Management Program.  
• $8 million across Far North Queensland to provide environmental infrastructure including water supply, sewerage, waste management, drainage systems and coastal management.
• $5 million across Far North Queensland for an integrated facility to deliver chronic disease management.
• $6.47 million to provide assistance to low skilled workers, those disadvantaged in the labour market and to support the Queensland Green Army strategy
• $2.72 million for land acquisitions that relate to a 2006 election commitment for the purchase of rainforest and green land
• $120,000 towards implementation of a skills formation strategy to assist in the North Queensland community to develop its industry and support regional development.
• Transfer duty rates on homes are set to increase from 1 August. Click here for full details.

The Government has also announced the cutting of the community ambulance levy which will reduce electricity rates by $113 per year from 1 July.

The electricity rebate has increased by 6.6 percent to $230 for pensioners and seniors, and the maximum council rates rebate is to be increased by $20 to $200.