The following is a list of briefs from the latest Douglas Shire Council meeting, held on February 10.

Check out what else council has been up to here. 

Council a respondent to Native Title applications

Council has joined Native Title applications lodged by the Yirrganydji (Irukandji) People and Cape York United People as a respondent.

The Yirrganydji People’s native title claim in broad terms depicts the area including land and waters from the southern end of the Port Douglas Shire Local Government Area between Port Douglas and Wangetti.

The Cape York United People claim encompasses 79,412sq km, of which 380sq km includes the Douglas Shire.

Under the Native Title Act 1993, Council is required to establish if a “public work” had been completed or commenced prior to 23 December 1996 over any of the affected areas.

Council has completed preliminary investigations to establish if a “public work” had been undertaken on the claimed allotments, however further investigations may still be required to extinguish native title.

The full report presented at yesterday’s Ordinary Council Meeting is available on Council’s website.

Local group relinquishes community garden lease

The Port Douglas Community Service Network Inc. (PDCSNI) has surrendered the trustee lease for a community garden in Mowbray St, Port Douglas.

PDCSNI has held the 10-year lease since 20 July 2011 but has made the decision to surrender it due to the uncertainty associated with grants and the unavailability of staff to lead the project.

The site was used as a domestic landfill by Council from 1972 to 1990.

A site management plan prepared by the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection recommended that planting of any fruiting vegetation must be restricted to sealed planter boxes or specially constructed areas of imported clean soil underlain by a drainage layer and barrier layer above the existing cap.

A report will be prepared for Council to consider future usage options for the site.

Approval for new grass tennis court

Council has given approval to the Port Douglas Tennis Club to construct a new grass tennis court.

The new tennis court to accommodate increased membership will be built on the club’s existing facilities next to Reynolds Park.

Council provides financial assistance to Meals on Wheels

In recognition of the essential role that Douglas Shire Meals on Wheels Inc plays in maintaining the health and wellbeing of the local community, Council has removed the lease requirement for the organisation to pay Council rates and charges.

Under the former Douglas Shire Council, Meals on Wheels received a 100 per cent concession on Council rates and charges.

During the amalgamated years, such a concession was not available to Meals on Wheels but Cairns Regional Council paid rates and charges.

The amendment to the lease will now formalise this arrangement.

Council supports application for boardwalk and pontoon use

Council is supportive an application to the Department of Natural Resources and Mines for permits to be granted for boardwalks and a floating pontoon on the Daintree River.

The boardwalks and pontoon, located on the northern side of the river east of the ferry crossing, were previously used as part of a tourism venture and the new owners of the adjacent land have indicated the future use may be for tourism purposes operating as Daintree River Boardwalks.