Paws and Claws calls for calm after Craiglie business targeted
APPEAL LODGED
Paws and Claws president Michael Kerr is calling for calm in the wake of Craiglie businesses being unfairly targeted following an appeal by five businessmen to halt a proposed animal shelter in the Teamsters Close industrial park.
On Wednesday, when Newsport reported that five business entities had waited until the 11th hour to lodge their appeal in the Planning and Environment Court, sections of the community expressed their dissatisfaction, called for their names to be revealed and their businesses boycotted.
Already one Craiglie business – which ironically supports the shelter development – reported they had received a number of “unfriendly” phone calls which they felt were uncalled for.
“I said from the outset I do not wish to name and shame and I’m sticking to that. We’ll let the process take its course and we’ll fight it as hard as we can,” said Kerr.
“I do not want people to threaten the entire business estate. This is not fair especially as the majority are in support. We will fight this the proper way.
“This approach is causing us to lose support, not gain. It saddens me that a business has lost a large contract because of this issue,” said Kerr.
Appeal now on public record
The appeal, meanwhile, is now a public document and filed with Council with the appellants named. It includes five pages of objections, including: “the development is contrary to good town planning principles”; “the shelter is inconsistent with Council’s intent for the Craiglie industrial area”; and “it does not support the Port Douglas tourism and marine industries.”
Under the Planning Act 2016, the Planning and Environment Court hears appeals against decisions on planning and development applications, protection for environment and coasts, marine parks, conservation areas and more.
To view the appeal, go to:
https://douglas.qld.gov.au/download/planning-services/development_applications/Notice-of-Appeal-No.-181-of-2018-Cairns-Thomson-Ors-v-Douglas-Shire-Council-Anor.pdf
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