Howard Salkow

Senior Journalist

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr has recognised the importance of moving ahead with plans to develop an aquatic park in Port Douglas and for this reason withdrew his Mayoral Minute at today’s final Open Session of Council of the year.

His original Mayoral Minute was headlined: Reversal of motion 6.2 Port Douglas Splash Park and Water Precinct, and read:

“As per section 262 of the Local Government Regulation 2012, I gave notice to Councillors on December 6 2021 of my intention to propose the repeal of motion 6.2: Port Douglas Splash Park and Water Precinct from the Ordinary Council meeting of November 30 2021, which stated:

“That Council:

1. Consults with the community for the location of the Port Douglas Splash Park and Water Precinct;
2. The final location of the precinct is decided by council resolution;
3. A business case and cost benefit analysis are conducted on the proposed 50m lap pool and an alternative lagoon style pool;
4. The business case and cost benefit analysis, for both options, are brought to a council meeting to be publicly discussed and noted.”

 
Kerr’s motion

Mayor Kerr was to have put forward the following:

“That Council:
1. Consults the community with the completed concept design including location and facilities that would be provided;
2. Brings back to council the consultation, full costings, and a cost analysis of the proposed staged Aquatic precinct;
3. The final approval will be decided by council resolution.”
“I do not want to delay the process and for this reason I withdrew my Mayoral Minute. We need to move forward,” said Kerr.

 
Carnivale 2022

Councillors endorsed the draft program and requested that any major amendments come before Council.
Douglas Shire Council is providing $170,000 in cash and $35,000 in kind.

 
Project expenditure
 

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