Is a splash park about to become a reality?
Communiy
Water to splash, play in and cool off is very much on the minds of Douglas Shire Council and by all accounts, both Mossman and Port Douglas will be beneficiaries of some form of water feature.
Mossman residents will have a new reason to visit the local pool by the end of the year after Council has announced it will release a tender next month to build a splash park on the grass area at the Mossman Pool.
The project will be jointly funded by Council and the Queensland Government which has offered Council $1.5 million to build splash parks in Mossman and Port Douglas.
And Council said today it is progressing with plans to build a custom-made water play area in Port Douglas and will be asking people where they think the best spot is and reasons why it is the best location.
As part of that community engagement, staff will also collect feedback whether a public pool in Port Douglas is needed in the long-term.
Although it will be some time before the $317m NorthBreak wave park will be constructed in the Mowbray Valley, if the above projects go ahead it will be a major breakthrough. Port Douglas residents have long cried out for some form of water feature and numerous renditions are currently collecting dust.
Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said the splash park would be a huge draw card for the Mossman Pool precinct.
“We have more than 1500 pre-schoolers and primary school students in Douglas Shire, many who live on farms, in Mossman and in our rural beachside neighbourhoods,” he said.
“All kids young and old can choose their own level of getting wet at a splash park, while even smaller toddlers can tentatively make footprints.
“Parents will love the shady picnic tables and BBQs nearby and they and older children can go into the 50-metre pool for a swim. It is the perfect place for families on hot sunny days.”
Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said the Palaszczuk Government was proud to deliver on the commitment to the people of Douglas Shire to deliver splash parks in the region.
“We are living up to that commitment and the communities will enjoy the connections and health benefits that come with splash parks,” Ms Lui said.
Mayor Kerr said both towns would have water play areas by 2024.
“We have the funding locked in and now we need to get our community involved in a deeper level of engagement to bring their fantastic ideas to life,” he said.
Both splash park and water play projects need to be completed before 31 May 2024 to meet the State Government’s grant funding guidelines.