Howard Salkow

Senior Journalist

Councillor Michael Kerr views the re-election of the Coalition Government and Warren Entsch, the Leichhardt member retaining his seat, as a real boon for Douglas Shire.

As president of the Homeless Animal Society and the Douglas Animal Welfare Group, he is excited about the prospects of finally getting an animal refuge (Paws and Claws) in Douglas.

“Through the recent grant funding by Warren Entsch and the Federal Government - $500,000 had been promised – we will be very much heading the right way to having it open sooner rather than later, which will still be long overdue,” said Cr Kerr.

He is equally buoyed that a number of projects that have been earmarked for the region will be expected to get underway.

“Many great projects will also be underway such as the Wangetti Trail and Mossman Mill Bio precinct.

“A stunning new recycled plastic white picket fence for the football oval is another. I am also very excited for the residents in the Daintree, who have been fighting for mains quality power for so long, and with the results of this election, are most certainly a step closer,” he said.

In terms of the election result, Cr Kerr said the opinion of the majority of Douglas was that Mr Entsch and the LNP were by far the better choice.

“So, totally against the polls, Douglas clearly wanted the LNP and Warren back in place in Canberra which must surely give confidence to the returning member that his vision and choices, along with his party’s commitments, were clearly preferred.”

Cr Kerr extended his congratulations to Mr Entsch and said he is looking forward to seeing the steps as we move forward with some amazing and ground breaking projects in Douglas.

See Kerr’s Letter to the Editor for the full context of his election assessment.