A breakfast organised by the Port Douglas Chamber of Commerce brought together the Douglas business community on Tuesday. 

Held at Port Douglas Combined Clubs, the breakfast was attended by over 100 guests and featured Douglas Shire Council CEO Linda Cardew, Reef Marina head Rob Cruz and Sheraton Port Douglas general manager Steve Molnar. 

Ms Cardew gave an overview and update of newly-deamalgamated Douglas Shire’s financial position and said decision-making power had been returned to the local area.

“Deamalgamation doesn’t just mean the redrawing of lines on a map, it’s the creation of an entirely new business,” Ms Cardew said. 

“Previously the decisions had been made down south 

Ms Cardew said council wanted to promote long-term economic growth, but also added that it could not solve everything. 

“It’s important to remember that we are bound by multiple state and Federal-level laws,” Ms Cardew said. 

“We can act as an advocate between your business and the State or Federal governments but we can’t solve every problem for you.”

Mr Molnar gave an update of Sheraton’s upcoming refurbishment, including increased focus on the hotel’s golf course, while Mr Cruise reported that the dreding of Reef Marina was complete, but jokingly lamented that the end result was invisible. 

“It’s a bit annoying that we dredged the entire marina but everything looks the same,” he said.

“Hopefully someone will look at their depth sounder on the way in our out and go ‘Wow! It’s so much deeper now’, but they probably won’t.”

Douglas Chamber of Commerce president Phoebe Kitto said the breakfast had been successful in its goal of bringing the Douglas business community together. 

“I think it’s been a very positive result,” she said. 

“We’ve had a brilliant turnout and the whole session has been very informative.”