After retaining her seat of Cook in the state election, with the ECQ officially declaring over 40 per cent of Cook’s votes going to Labor, MP Cynthia Lui is ready to get on with business.

Including the election promise of $1.5 million funding for a splash park in Port Douglas, a promise she says will be kept.

“Make no mistake, the splash park will be built as promised,” she said.

“The Palaszczuk Labor Government has already constructed several around Cape York and they are incredibly popular.

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“Families love them, especially the kids. So, we will invest $3 million for two splash parks – one each in Douglas and Mareeba shires.

“Splash parks provide a safe place to cool off in the Far North Queensland heat and to bring families and communities together. I imagine tourists passing through will stop to spend some time enjoying them too,” Ms Lui said.

There is no firm timeframe at present of when this will be built, however, Ms Lui said she will work closely with Douglas Shire Council to identify an appropriate site and tenders will be called as soon as possible.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said Council has yet to receive any formal notification about funding for a splash park, however, he invites the Member for Cook to travel to Port Douglas to discuss the vision for a splash park once she settles back into office.

Meanwhile, Council has been running its own community survey since October 19, to gauge the communities desires for a splash park and pool, which closes today, November 17.

“Once feedback is collated, Council will start working on a concept which we will present to the community for further feedback before we finalise the concept and design,” Mayor Kerr said.

“Staff have started working on a business case to determine on-going maintenance, potential operational costs to help Council secure funding for the build.”

Lui back on deck

Now back to work following the election, Ms Lui says she is set to continue her mission to build stronger communities throughout the diverse electorate.

“I am grateful to the voters in Cook for their faith in me over the past four years. It has been a learning curve for me, but as part of the Labor team I have been able to access ministers and get results for Cook,” she said.

“I have developed relationships with communities around the Cape and Torres Strait Islands as well as in the Douglas Shire."

Ms Lui said in her first term Labor invested more than $100 million in key infrastructure projects and community development in the Douglas Shire area, including; $33.4 million towards the Wangetti Trail, $10.1 million towards the redesign of Mossman Hospital’s emergency department, $4 million for a new two-lane boat ramp at Newell Beach, $5 million for a new 20ML reservoir in Port Douglas, and investing $25 million into the Mossman Mill's project to establish an innovative bio-refinery.

“The 94km Wangetti Trail between Palm Cove and Port Douglas will be a major boost for tourism as Far North Queensland emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Ms Lui said.

She added the Mill’s funding will improve its viability and create new value-added green chemical products and associated manufacturing jobs.

“These are the kinds of things I want to see more of in the Douglas region – projects that will endure and prove to be major investments for years to come.

“Over the next four years, I want to help build on these achievements. I especially want to focus on tourism as one of the most important economic pillars in Douglas Shire.

“I will continue to work with Douglas Shire Council, government agencies and community organisations to make our communities stronger,” she said.