by Roy Weavers

As so often happens when great positive news doesn't turn out to be exactly as was expected, the doubters among us start to fuel negative rumours regardless of their accuracy and content or the long term consequences that their negativity generates within the community at large.

To what am I referring, I hear you ask?

Well, just about 2 months (maybe three months) ago a certain Mr David Marriner was being hailed as the new 'saviour' of Port Douglas.  He and his team had finally signed on the dotted line, after some protracted negotiations, to become the proud owners of the Sheraton Mirage Resort and Country Club.

The resident community of Port Douglas had got it in their heads that Mr Marriner was going to refurbish the tired 'old lady', fix up the golf course, revitalise the building programme and demonstrate to the world that Port Douglas was back on top.

Of course, no one in the Marriner camp had actually said any of those things.  In fact they had kept their own counsel very close to their chests all throughout the negotiations.

It was all wishful thinking, so when Mr Marriner finally shot his first volley across the governmental 'bows', it created a shock wave in the community of almost nuclear proportions!

Regardless of what had actually been said, the  Port Douglas community had apparently heard, "If the government doesn't give me money, I'm not doing anything with the Sheraton, in fact I might pull it down and re-use the land".
Now if you take the time to read the statements and peel away the media hysteria, you will find a different story.

Understandably before Mr Marriner and his team commit the necessary funds to put the Sheraton back on the 5 star map, they want some understanding of what all this well publicized current tourism spending is achieving and also what is going to be spent on this particular region and it's depleted infrastructure.

I think if I had just spent $35 million on a project, I'd want to know what the regional improvement plans were too! Of course the unenviable dilemma that the region is facing is not having the almost impossible resources available to answer his question.

This type and level of spending is apparently down to the State and Federal governments not our amalgamated little local government.

To be fair the local government are already looking to spend some money on infrastructure in Port, such as the long awaited Waterfront development including a Lagoon Pool (in whatever location it finally lands) and we're just starting discussions on the feasibility of an Evacuation (Indoor sports) Centre (one day definitely/maybe!).

But this probably isn't enough for the extensive refurbishment that Mr Marriner knows is required at his new seaside resort and golf course.

We've had several Members of Parliament and high profile tourism officers exalting the importance of how a Port Douglas at the top of it's game is a thermometer for the overall state of Australia Tourism.

Is that all so much hot air or are we really considered to be a vital component within Australian tourism? If we are then someone in authority has got to let the relevant governments know that they've got to open the coffers and respond to Mr Marriners enquiries (threats is such an ugly word!).

Not that I would suggest politicians ever go back on their word but in the highly unlikely event that State and/or Federal Governments decide that paying to ensure the high profile importance of Port Douglas wasn't quite what they said, then where do we go from here?

If Mr Marriner isn't a reincarnated Christopher Skase and by the way he never said he was, what becomes of Port Douglas? Are we to become, as many of the older fraternity seem to want, a retirement village devoid of live entertainment, fun and frolics?

It wouldn't take long for this transformation to happen! Tourists soon learn where they are welcome and where they are not in this social networking era.  It takes hours nowadays for global messaging not months as in more traditional bygone seasons.

Cairns City wouldn't give the toss of a coin if Port Douglas didn't pose a competitive threat to their ever expanding private investment programme (let alone the local government preferences).  And if you don't believe me you should check out the recent Pier refurbishment, the TV advertised Reef tours claiming big chunks of our market, the tourist attractions consolidating their positions, the Cairns Regional Art Gallery justifiably dominating the arts revival in the region, even the shopping malls have had a facelift and let's not forget the proposed cultural precinct which is on everyones lips in Cairns City.

One wonders why, apart from the obvious natural beauty of the place, why Port Douglas can currently justify it's over-inflated opinion of itself as a tourism haven superior to our urban southern neighbours down the Capt Cook Highway.

Now don't get me wrong, I am a passionate Port Douglian but even I can recognise the writings on the wall.

And it worries me that there is a hidden agenda by a powerful lobby of individuals who have made their money and want to hold Port Douglas where it is or even to send it back to the quiet sleepy fishing village days of yesteryear.

If I'm right then I think it's about time that those who hold that view should come out and declare themselves because there are even more people who are investing both time and money into the region on the basis that there will be progression rather regression and I suspect Mr Marriner is one of them.

I shall be interested to hear his view and in the meantime equally interested to hear what our readers would like to see Port Douglas become, 'cos if it's not what you're expecting then time is running out to change it with or without the Sheraton!