DOUGLAS Shire councillor Michael Kerr believes a public transport dearth in the region can no longer be ignored.

As more people look at purchasing property in Mossman and Cooya Beach due to a shortage of land and house prices in Port Douglas, Kerr said now was the time to improve access to communities within the Shire.

There is currently no public transport between Port Douglas and Mossman other than shuttle and taxi services, while private bus lines provide the only mode from Cairns Airport to Port Douglas.

“Cooya and Mossman are going to develop more and more, so of course we need better access to these areas,” Kerr told Newsport.

“If you’re a family living in Cooya Beach and don’t have two cars, you are essentially stuck there.”

While public transport is not a core council priority at present, Kerr believed it was his duty to focus on creating better access to the region.

“Public transport is extremely important to the people of Cooya and Mossman. If you live in Mossman and work in Port Douglas you can’t get there without a car, and in 2017 I don’t think that’s good enough.”

It’s why Kerr has been advocating for a cost effective electric bus service to be introduced. The feasibility of using the cane train line for transport between Port Douglas and Mossman has also been discussed, but it would require significant investment.

“The problem with using the cane train is the cost factor,” he said.

“There is a lot of work that needs to be done and it could be a very complicated, drawn out process.”

Electric buses operate on solar main power, with the technology already being used in Adelaide. Kerr said he would continue to push for it outside of his role as councillor ‘because I believe it’s extremely important for our region’.

“Electric busses would boost the economy and open up places like Mossman for tourists, who would otherwise need a car to get there,” he said.

“Even with the growing concerns about swimming in Port Douglas, we have a pool in Mossman that is very much under utilised. We could spend some money on that and turn it into an aqua park, of sorts, and open up access.

“Public Transport opens up more opportunities and is a way to join the three communities together.”

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