The LNP's first budget has left out the Port Douglas Waterfront for funding, with no mention of the project in the regional budget statement.

The Waterfront project is seen by many as the most important piece of infrastructure development since the Sheraton Mirage in the 1980's, however, the town will need to wait even longer to see it come to fruition.

The lack of funding came as a surprise to few people with the LNP Government making no secret of their plan to cut back spending costs, with thousands of public service jobs still to be lost.

Cairns fared better receiving funding for a number of projects including $40 million over four years to improve cruise and military ship access to Trinity Inlet, $10.5 million towards the foreshore development at the Port of Cairns, and $5 million on the Lake Street upgrade.

The Member for Cook, David Kempton, welcomed the Newman Government’s first budget as a "sensible, responsible budget" that he says will benefit families and businesses across Far North Queensland.

“This government was left with a huge task to repair the Queensland economy and get the state moving again,” Mr Kempton said.

TOMORROW: Councillor Leu says LNP has shown Douglas contempt

A statement from Mr Kempton's office said the Government is keen to get the building industry on a more secure footing in regional areas such as Port Douglas and Mossman through measures such as the $15,000 First Home Owner Construction Grant.

"I recognise that Port Douglas has been doing it tough over the past few years, but the previous government’s attempt to pork barrel the previous member into another term with unfunded and undeliverable projects was never a sustainable or suitable solution to region’s problems," Mr Kempton said.

"I will continue to fight for the projects that this area so badly needs. The recent tourism revival and subsequent increase in real estate inquiries and sales shows that the property market is starting to get some traction, which is good signpost to an economic revival."

TOMORROW: Councillor Leu says LNP has shown Douglas contempt 

Mr Kempton pointed to two projects that received funding in the Douglas region; $1.468 million to "normalise land tenure and municipal infrastructure in Mossman Gorge" aimed at supporting indigenous home ownership, and $141,00 to be spent on the Mossman Workshed at the Gateway Centre entrance to Mossman Gorge.

Spending in the Cairns region

Community

• $529,000 of $3.3 million to replace the auxiliary fire and rescue station at Mareeba.
• $36.1 million to expand and improve social housing.
• $1.2 million to replace the auxiliary fire and rescue station at Millaa Millaa.
• $1.3 million for a new State Emergency Service Headquarters in Cairns.
• $300,000 to complete a residential facility in Whiterock that provides extra out-of-home care options for children in care with complex and extreme needs.

Economic development

• $202.5 million for local government recovery and reconstruction projects, in partnership with the Australian Government.
• Funding to attract three new China Eastern flights per week from Shanghai to Cairns and three new seasonal China Southern flights per week from Guangzhou to Cairns via Brisbane.
• $40 million over four years to improve cruise and military ship access to Trinity Inlet.

Education

• $3.6 million of $3.8 million to build additional classrooms at Whitfield State School.
• $600,000 to upgrade the roof at Cairns State High School.
• $5.3 million of $6.3 million to continue the replacement of facilities at Tully State High School damaged by Cyclone Yasi.

Environment

• $380,000 towards $1.5 million to improve crocodile management in Queensland, focusing on increased public safety and the long-term sustainability of the crocodile population.
• $870,000 ($2.9 million over four years) for activities under the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan 2009, in partnership with the Australian Government.
• $8.3 million to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority for the Marine Park's Field Management Program.

Health

• $2 million to improve and upgrade health facilities at Mareeba Hospital.
• $9.9 million to improve and upgrade health facilities at Atherton Hospital.
• $4 million ($15 million over 4 years) to recruit extra health specialists and revitalise frontline health services.
• $99 million towards the $446.3 million Cairns Base Hospital Redevelopment, due for completion in 2015.

Infrastructure

• $6 million for Cassowary Coast Regional Council to upgrade and augment their existing water treatment plant.
• $500,000 towards the $2 million upgrade of the intersection of Captain Cook Highway and Port Douglas Road, due for completion in June 2014.
• $10.5 million towards the $23.3 million foreshore development at the Port of Cairns, due for completion in June 2014.

Law and order

• $28.3 million of $442.8 million to expand and redevelop the Lotus Glen Correctional Centre.
• $833,000 to replace a patrol catamaran in Cairns.
• $500,000 for the temporary deployment of 20 additional police officers until 31 December 2012 as part of Operation Escalate.