With the newly elected council set to take the Douglas Shire into 2020, Newsport wraps up its coverage of the local election campaign by posing the question ‘what will your Douglas Shire look like in 2020?’

“What will your Douglas Shire look like in 2020?”

Mayoral candidate Julia Leu:

Declined the invitation to respond.

Mayoral candidate Roy Weavers:

In the short term, the first thing you’ll notice is the spectacular landscapes and beautification of both townships and open spaces.  Works orders will be rolling out of well resourced Council doors as a priority to keep our shire as beautiful as our residents expect.

There will be fairy lights on every feature tree in the shire including market park, lighting up our community spirit.

There will be a pedestrian and road safety audit immediately after my election and by 2020 I am confident I will have implemented these, including the Wildlife Habitat School Crossing, lighting in Warner Street and road marking on the corner of Warner and Wharf Street and all others that Port Douglas’ Sergeant Meadows and Mossmans’ Sergeant Smith identify.

I will have ensured that our School's P&C's will be working toward long term student resource support programs partnered by Council.  Council will focus on making stronger schools for Douglas. Our student populations have increased significantly and 'it's time' to reflect that support.

Our two major towns will be connected by a first stage public transport solution which will enable both residents and visitors to travel with ease.  There will be five key advisory boards set up to feed community and specialised information into Council:

Community Support and safety Board
Town Planning and Negotiations Board
Innovation and Economic Development Board
Volunteers and Events Board
Tourism Marketing, Digital and Destination Management Board

In the long term, tourism, our 85% income earner, will be given strong planning support, new innovative funding access and greater destination management assistance.

By 2020 The Reef Marina and waterfront development will be fully complete.  The long term vision of the Island Point boardwalk will be completed to connect the waterfront with Four Mile Beach. Undercover walkways will also be in place to join the Marina up to Macrossan Street.

The Mossman Gorge and the proposed Mossman Botanic Gardens will be attracting the scientific, medical and educational communities.  I see Mossman with a healthy accommodation sector supplemented with more housing development to service the increased employment opportunities.

The sugar and farming industries will be stronger knowing it has a supportive partner in its local government helping it innovate its productivity and employment sustainability.

The Daintree power will be under way with fresh ideas and fresh approaches and strong continued commitment by Council.

Based on my ‘community dollar’ income strategy from alternative sources of revenue other than the ratepayer, by 2020 we will truly be realising the potential of this long-term financial solution for sustainability of our paradise shire.

Overall I see the Douglas Shire in 2020 will be a well-managed environmental paradise. The tourism, agricultural and new business sectors of our region are by default fierce guardians of the environment and I don’t see that diminishing at all.