Howard Salkow

Senior Journalist

Two notices of motion and a deputation dominate the agenda of Council’s Open Session on Tuesday November 30 at Council Chambers, Mossman.

Councillor Peter McKeown is bringing forward a motion regarding Covid-19 and the negative effects that will result from the Queensland Government’s vaccination mandate.

Councillor Abigail Noli’s motion features the proposed Port Douglas Splash Park and Water Precinct, which calls for complete transparency.

And a deputation by the ‘Keep PD FREE Community Group’, which asks the following: “The community of Port Douglas and surrounds seeks to know if Douglas Shire Council opposes discrimination that harms both employers and employees, and which segregates and divides our community over medical choice. There is considerable personal and economic stress, which is causing division and concern in the community and the delegation seeks Council’s leadership on this issue, by way of delegation.”

In his Notice of Motion, Clr McKeown requests "that the CEO lobby Queensland Premier Palaszczuk and the Queensland Government to advise them of the negative effects the impending vaccine mandate will have on many small businesses, employers, employees, and our community as a whole."

Clr McKeown states in his motion that from the time of The Queensland Government announcing the restrictions as to venues allowed to be visited only if you are fully vaccinated, I have been contacted from scores of businesses and had many conversations with owners /operators in the Douglas Shire expressing concern about the ability to carry on business when these restrictions come in to force.

“Those businesses that have been able to survive these last 19 months have been waiting with baited breath for the release of the ‘roadmap’ and for a date when we can accept our southern visitors back to our shire, but now have another hurdle to jump, maybe the biggest yet.

“There is also conflicting comments on the legal position of employers who restrict employees entering the workplace or dismissing them because of the mandate. I believe we are about to enter a very interesting period in this Shire,” the motion says.

Splash Park

In her motion regarding the Splash Park, Clr Noli is requesting:

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.”

She concludes her motion by saying: “This decision is too important to get wrong as this will forever be an ongoing cost, probably an operational loss and in the wrong location an eyesore and detriment to the amenity of Port Douglas.”

Agenda

3.1 Deputation – Keep PD FREE Community Group
5.1 Application for permanent road closure adjoining Lot 204 on SP264765 Captain Cook Highway, Killaloe
5.2 Glyphosate Reduction Strategy 20215.3 Council Grants Program Major Grant Round 2021-22
5.4 Amendment to fees and charges – Mossman Pool and Caravan Park and Active8 Subsidised Fitness
5.5 Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree Annual Report
5.6 Capital works progress report for First Quarter 2021/22
5.7 Extraordinary Decision – Revised Utility Charges and Associated Rating Matters 2021-2022
5.8 Revised Budget 2021-20225.9 QAO Final Management Report 2020-2021
5.10 Financial Report October 20215.11 Audit Committee Meeting Minutes
6.1 Notice of Motion – Covid-19 Restrictions
6.2 Notice of Motion – Port Douglas Splash Park and Water Precinct

See full agenda here