Huge cash boost for beleaguered animal shelter
PAWS AND CLAWS
THE Douglas Shire’s beleaguered animal shelter Paws and Claws has received a significant $300,000 cash injection from the Queensland Government – and the good news is that this is not an ‘election promise’ as it was pre-approved before the November 25 state election was called.
The Palaszczuk Government has offered $300,000 towards the acquisition of land for a new Paws and Claws animal shelter and boarding kennel, which is a major breakthrough for the shelter and the Douglas Shire.
“I have a letter dated October 27 from Dr Elizabeth Woods, Director-General of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, confirming this commitment,” said Clr Michael Kerr, president of Paws and Claws.
“Although we have yet to secure a piece of land – we are a targeting a cane paddock – this has been a monumental challenge to get a result and Mayor Julia Leu needs to take a great deal of the credit for her tireless work with the Premier and her ministers.”
Leu said she was thrilled with the result and that the Premier had listened to the shire.
“The Douglas Shire knows this has been a major project of mine and funding from whichever government winning election is the right result.
“It’s been a long road travelled and there has been considerable discussion and confusion at all levels of government. But we’ve got the result we wanted,” she said.
Part of the confusion surrounded the Queensland Conservation Council’s ‘false assertions’ to the Department that the once designated Yule Point would not be sold for the Paws and Claws shelter and ‘would instead be protected as remnant rainforest and cassowary habitat.”
The Douglas Shire then had to negotiate with the Australian Conservation Foundation, World Wildlife Fund, Cairns and Far North Environment Centre, North Queensland Conservation Council, Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland (FNQ branch) and Wilderness Society (Cairns) before any decision is made.
However, none of the environmental groups raised any concerns or objections over the site with Council.
Meanwhile the Labor candidate for Cook Cynthia Lui said this is a brilliant outcome for the people of Port Douglas.
Paws and Claws is a not-for-profit organisation.
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