DOUGLAS Shire council candidate Donna Graham was the standout performer at the Cow Bay Election Forum yesterday, declaring the Shire was at a delicate crossroad.

With the 2016 local government election campaign heating up, Graham reiterated the widely held view that projects like the redevelopment of the Reef Marina and the Sheraton Mirage would be critical to the Shire’s future prosperity.

“I believe what we do in the next two years will affect the next 20,” Graham said.

“The two most critical properties for the strategic well being of tourism and the Shire generally are currently undertaking redevelopment, and that is the Sheraton Mirage and the Reef Marina.

“So the decisions that we make surrounding planning and surrounding development of critical assets, and the management of things like waste, are absolutely critical in whether we prosper and grow, or whether we fail.”

Graham was one of nine council candidates at the Cow Bay Hotel (Peter McKeown and Melinda Cox were absent due to unforeseen circumstances), each getting four minutes to address a 40-strong crowd on why they should be elected.

She shared strong views on investigating the viability of a coconut processing industry, strengthening farming and fishing and the ‘diversification’ of the Shire to be less reliant on tourism.

“What I’m particularly focusing on is that the new planning scheme is about to come out for public consultation, the local laws are under review, and those two things provide the actual legal framework that governs what can and can’t be done in the Shire,” she said. “It’s a critically important time.”

Some of the key issues residents north of the Daintree River put forward to the candidates were:

• Commitment to engage with the community for the next ferry contract
• Lack of forward planning around infrastructure in the Daintree
• Waste disposal north of the river/ rubbish removal rates
• The Bloomfield Track
• Lifestyle differences north of Daintree River compared to Port Douglas

Addressing whether annual prices for the ferry could be reduced or frozen, council candidate Roy Zammataro suggested the crossing could be better utilised, especially for tourists. It is currently $25 for a return trip for visitors.

“I think the money from the ferry needs to be better poured back into the Daintree community,” Zammataro said.

“Tourists are paying a lot to get over on the ferry so it’s important that the money is used to make the Daintree great for the benefit of locals and tourists.

“I also think we could offer more information on our environment once they’re on the ferry.”