Daintree Village resident, Paul Snelgrove has said he is ready for the upcoming 19 March election and will run for Councillor as an independent candidate.

Originally from Melbourne, Mr Snelgrove has resided in Far North Queensland for the past 30 years.  Twelve months ago he and his wife Lynn purchased a bed and breakfast in the Daintree Village.  Their five children have studied law, journalism, civil engineering, diesel mechanics and speech therapy.

Mr Snelgrove, who also studied law, said his interests are in town planning and environmental law.  He has also studied marine biology and was the founder of the Reef Care Asia Pacific, a not for profit which conducts research on the reef. He is a keen scuba diver and was the Vice President of the Nautilus Scuba Club in Cairns for ten years and also enjoys kayaking.

With a strong focus on business and economic development, Snelgrove believes not a lot of money has been spent on the Douglas Shire.

“We need more improvements on facilities as they are deteriorating, and there needs to be a gloss on tourist infrastructure,” he said.

Although he did not attend the Douglas Shire Business Forum last year, he strongly believes we do need business and economic growth and development in the region.

“We need capital input and profit to grow services,” he said.

Having been a retailer for ten years with an understanding of small business, Snelgrove reiterates he is pro-development and supports small business.  He said that although it was a good season, he believes less people are visiting despite the drop in the Australian dollar.

“In the 1980’s we were declared a world heritage, but it seems we’ve done nothing since then to promote it.

“We need infrastructure and we must look after it across the river, but it needs to stay natural as well.  It doesn’t have to be over developed as this will depreciate the natural assets,” he said.

Snelgrove believes it is important to retain the sense of adventure on the other side of the river, in particular with any bridge or road improvements, to ensure they are not “cookie made”.

The Shire also needs to be mindful of cane growers and primary producers and Snelgrove believes they need to be supported stating they are the “salt of the earth”.

In relation to the Port Douglas waterfront, Snelgrove said that when the marina was built it was kept low rise and retained the quaint fishing village atmosphere.

“It was seen as a destination.  Even though it does need to be renewed, I don’t believe in a heavy-handed approach.  The fishermen need to be listened to,” he said.

The Mossman Botanic Garden project will be an asset according to Snelgrove. “It’s on a beautiful piece of land,” he added.

With his strong interest in town planning, Snelgrove said that aged care development would have his support, as he understands the issues.

Over the past twelve months Snelgrove said he has been attending the DSC Ordinary Council Meetings, to gain an understanding of the current issues being discussed.

One of the ongoing issues during this time was the proposed new site for the relocation of the Paws and Claws facility.

“I understand that finding a new Paws and Claws location was high on the Council’s agenda,” he said.

With the internet issues being a major point of contention in the region, Snelgrove said he believes it is a very big issue and he cannot believe we do not have high speed broadband.

“The cabling is there but purportedly no plan to connect it.  What Council can do is lobby the Federal Government,” he said.

Snelgrove said one of the priorities on his agenda is the broadband issue.  Another issue he believes needs addressing is the renewal of the Douglas Shire infrastructure, while comparing Cairns swimming lagoon, barbeque and public facilities, as an example.

“We also need walking tracks and mountain bike tracks. We need these types of facilities but they must be maintained,” he said.

Snelgrove said he would like to see a walking track in the Daintree from Cape Tribulation to the river.

“It would be better than being in a bus, the views would be magnificent,” he said.

Over the past term, Snelgrove said the current DSC administration has done well.

“They are not in the red.  Council is on track right now. Time will tell if they are spending enough money. Right now they are under budget.  The opportunity is here now to have an affect on this region.  There is exciting prospects to do something in the region.

“I want to be part of directing Council into looking after and improving our assets in the Shire,” he said.

Snelgrove said the region should be allocated wards so people in different areas can put forward specific issues that relate to their constituency.

He said that there are approximately 127 votes in the greater Daintree, stating that the vote is in Port Douglas.

“I’ll be door knocking in Port Douglas.  It is the tourism machine for the region. That’s where the high density of ratepayers are.  It is the engine house of the Shire,” he said.