DOUGLAS Shire Council has invited residents, ratepayers and local businesses to have their say on their Economic Development Strategy.

Council has already met with some of the regions key players including The Reef Marina, Sheraton Mirage, Mackay Sugar, Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree, The Daintree Marketing Cooperative, Douglas Chamber of Commerce and the Mossman Botanical Garden Committee to identify some key issues.

Mayor Julia Leu said Council is keen to get feedback from the wider community and has developed a short online survey which residents are encouraged to complete before Friday 9 September.

“It’s been a very interesting fact-finding mission so far to work with our key stakeholders to identify what they consider are the main issues and work together to achieve sustained economic growth in the Douglas Shire,” Leu said.

“While many businesses in the Douglas Shire are experiencing their best tourist season in many years, it is important to understand what is driving this success and what we can do to further build on our strengths, improve our resilience and diversify our economy.

“There are a number of key themes our local business groups believe are the main contributing factors towards the future prosperity of the Douglas Shire, regardless of whether they are involved in tourism, agriculture or other industries.

“It’s very important that anyone who wants to have a say in the future of our local economy participates in the Economic Development Strategy survey as these responses will inform the strategic direction and economic development outcomes Council pursues over the next five years.”

CLICK HERE for the Economic Development Strategy Survey.

Council is also reminding residents to have their say on the Douglas Shire Planning Scheme, which is open for public comment until September 30.

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* A full copy of the planning scheme can be seen by CLICKING HERE.

Digital and hard copies are also available at the Douglas Shire’s Mossman office, Mossman Library and the Port Douglas Community Hub.