Councillor Peter McKeown is noticeably annoyed after Councils 3-2 vote against a proposed RV Park for Mossman in yesterdays meeting.

McKeown is convinced the whole shire will lose by not providing dedicated services and facilities for this booming travel market.

Watch Newsport's interview above with interviewer Paul Makin (FAB FM)

How the Council voted:

For
Mayor Kerr
Councillor McKeown

Against
Councillor Scomazzon
Councillor Noli - See Abigail's comments below
Councillor Zammataro

Related: RV Park in the shire: Time for a decision

Councillor Abigail Noli says more important investments to make for now

In a release to Newsport, Councillor Noli made the following statements to support her decision to vote against her colleagues motion for an RV Park in Mossman.

“In five months, we will see our budget go from an operating budget deficient of $2.3 million to a $3million deficient, with long term financial forecasts not showing a surplus until 2029”.

“The Freehold Land policy states that land sales will only proceed to fund future capital expenditure projects”. (Page 2 of the policy).

“It will be a far stretch of the imagination to argue that this is a capital works project when we have much more important things. Water security, wastewater infrastructure upgrades, road and bridge upgrades, footpaths, lighting and security for our community safety, stormwater and drainage-which is atrocious in Port Douglas, these are some examples of true capital works projects”.

“Financial sustainability is at the forefront of any councillor’s job position mandate, selling land assets to fund CMCA’s activity is ludicrous”. “Also, I believe it would have to go to tender and not be solely offered to CMCA”.

“I will not support council buying land, utilise what we have”.

“Maybe we should utilise existing organisations such as Hip camps or similar, allow the people of Douglas to put a coin in their own pockets instead of leasing to an organisation based in Wickham, NSW. Do it in Douglas indeed”!

“The CMCA has a grand total of 11 RV parks in all of Australia and it doesn’t cover all states or territories, there must be a reason that other Councils are not taking on this expense”.

“Using Hip camps as an example, there are over 50K Campgrounds and Campsites across Australia”.

“Don’t spend money for an organisation based in NSW, allow the residents of Douglas to get in on the act and put coin in their own pockets”.