Some of the Shire’s more popular events will benefit from an $800,000 cash injection by Douglas Shire Council to support tourism promotion and events over the next 12 months.

More than $180,000 in cash and in-kind will be provided by Council in 2016/17 for events including Carnivale, the Coral Coast Triathlon, the RRR Mountain Bike Challenge, Cairns Ironman, the Mossman Show, New Year’s Eve in Port Douglas, Mossman Community Christmas, the Great Barrier Reef Marathon, Port Shorts Film Festival and the Crocodile Trophy.

An additional $145,000 has been set aside for Council’s 2016/17 Grants Program which includes the Community Support Program, Events Funding Program, Business Development Fund and Regional Arts Development Fund.

Council funding for Tourism Port Douglas Daintree has been increased by 5 per cent to $474,045, the most significant support per capita for a local tourism organisation from a council in Australia.

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Mayor Julia Leu said Council looks forward to working with TPDD and the Douglas Chamber of Commerce to implement a range of economic development programs and activities including workshops for businesses and Council’s annual Business Forum.

“Council has a range of measures to further the economic development of our communities and local business and we continue to pursue new initiatives to help stimulate our local economy,” Mayor Leu said.

“In 2016/17 this will include developing an Economic Development Strategy in consultation with our communities to identify the key priorities for the region, producing an RV Strategy to make the Douglas Shire more attractive for this lucrative tourism market and a strategy to increase utilisation of Teamster’s Park as a gateway to the Douglas Shire.

“These initiatives will identify opportunities for people to invest, start or diversify a business or relocate to the Shire.

“We also intend to research a suitable Sister City/Province which has similar aspirations to the Douglas Shire to foster closer community and economic ties, provide funding to support the development of the Mossman Nursing Home Precinct and launch a Sports Expo in partnership with local sporting groups.”