Douglas Shire Council has adopted its 2015-2016 Annual Budget which includes an unprecedented $19.5 million capital works program to stimulate economic development.

Mayor Julia Leu said the capital works program was the most substantial ever for the Douglas Shire, including more than $9 million for road repairs under the National Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements program which is almost entirely funded by the State and Federal Governments.

“This unprecedented opportunity to spend such a substantial amount on road repairs in the Douglas Shire under the NDRRA program, creating employment for almost 100 people directly and more than 130 indirect jobs, at virtually no cost to ratepayers, complements Council’s significant investment of more than $10 million for capital works over the next 12 months,” Mayor Leu said.

“This includes an investment of more than $5 million on improving our water and wastewater infrastructure to benefit our communities and provide better environmental outcomes as well as a number of exciting new economic and community initiatives.”

Mayor Leu said the budget’s modest 3.9 per cent rate rise delivered on Council’s objective to achieve financial and community sustainability and realise a balanced budget within the next four years.
“Due to prudent financial management, Council’s operating expenditure continues to remain under budget which means we are able to limit the rate rise to 3.9 per cent and still deliver such a substantial capital works program without impacting on the financial sustainability strategy to realise a balanced budget by 2019-2020,” Mayor Leu said.

“There is special emphasis in this budget on new and continuing economic initiatives and community projects across the Shire that will stimulate the Douglas economy and provide employment opportunities.”

DSC Budget highlights include:

• Establishing a Douglas Business Forum and introducing a new economic development funding stream to encourage innovation;

• Boosting funding to Tourism Port Douglas Daintree (TPDD) with an increase of 5 per cent to a total of $451,500 and increased funding of more than $150,000 to sponsor Major Events;

• Providing $80,000 to progress the Mossman District Nursing Home site and more than $100,000 to assist not-for-profit community organisations to develop projects;

• Supporting free fitness classes for women in the Douglas Shire, free after-school recreational activities for children in Mossman and Port Douglas and installing new public exercise equipment for everyone to enjoy;

• Developing a new Planning Scheme that reflects the community’s desired economic, social and environmental objectives;

• Investing more than $5 million in cleaner, greener water infrastructure and technologies;

• Funding the resourcing of the Daintree Joint Management Group and the creation of a Sustainability Officer to promote positive environmental outcomes;

• Priority cycling and walking improvements;

• Improved amenity within parks including waterfront parks;

• Upgraded sporting facilities and playground equipment; and

• Further improvements at the Daintree Gateway.

“I am also pleased to announce Council’s retention of the 40 per cent general rates rebate for eligible pensioners and remission on general rates and sewerage charges for not-for-profit recreation, sporting and community groups,” Mayor Leu said.

“Today is an extremely important day for the future of the Douglas Shire and proves that our Shire is not only financially viable, but extremely vibrant and enterprising and a wonderful reflection of our amazing natural environment.”

Newsport is seeking comments from the Douglas INC and Douglas Chamber of Commerce and will report later in the day.