Port Gardens out of bounds



Thursday 26 July 2012

Port Gardens out of bounds

If you have a house in Port Gardens and think you've secured some lovely Port Douglas real estate, think again.

The recent release of Census information has prompted one local resident to take a closer look at the facts and figures.

After researching population and boundary figures, Ken Dobbs found that much of Port Gardens is technically located in Craiglie, a situation he says needs to be rectified.

"The Craiglie boundary issue needs to be reviewed. What is now the residential area of Port Gardens was cane land 20 years ago and in the locality of Craiglie. 

Take part in The Newsport poll on the issue (left)


"Port Douglas has now expanded to include all the land on the Eastern side of the Cook Highway but for many purposes such as the recent Census this leads to misleading information. 

"The population of Port Douglas according to the census is 3,205 but this excludes Craiglie which has a population of 1,032 most of which would be in Port Gardens."

Mr Dobbs said the anomaly could have far reaching impacts.

"Government decisions are often made on population figures so when we talk about the population of Port Douglas we should be referring to 4,237 and not 3,205. 

"I plan to get support from the Council and our State member to change the boundary to encompass all the residential area known as Port Gardens and possibly all the eastern side of the Cook Highway." 

Take part in The Newsport poll on the issue (left)