Michael Warren

Journalist

The quest for Cooya Beach residents to attain a regular mail service is far from over with a potential re-vote a distinct possibility next January or February.

Over the past few months Cooya Beach resident Catherine Rosenbrauer has continued to campaign for the service in the wake of a mid-year voting process that she previously told Newsport was “unfair” and “inconsistent”.

Just months ago the results of an Australia Post poll used to determine whether Cooya Beach residents wanted a service returned just a 43% yes vote.

That result led to Ms Rosenbrauer suggesting that not all potential Cooya Beach voters received a voting form, knew where to vote, or that a vote was taking place.

As a result Ms Rosenbrauer has laid the blame firmly at the feet of Australia Post who in subsequent correspondence confirmed with her that mail delivery arrangements would remain unchanged following the results of the controversial poll that took place between June 27 and July 24 this year.

Since then the issue has been taken up at local Council level by Cr Abigail Noli who at yesterday's ordinary September meeting called for an update to a motion that was first unanimously carried on March 29.

Specifically, Ms Noli requested Australia Post provide answers regarding; how many voting forms were distributed, how were they distributed, how many votes in total were received, how many voted, yes or no, how was delivery of voting forms verified against the number of households and how was the final percentage calculated.

In yesterday's Council meeting residents were also urged to take up their concerns about the matter with Leichhardt Member Warren Entsch.

“I spoke to (Federal Leichhardt Member) Warren Entsch a few days ago and mentioned it to him, and he said, ‘please get me this motion, get me the locals to express their concerns to him as well,’ so he can take it to Australia Post and push it further,” Mayor Michael Kerr revealed to Newsport.

“We can’t sit here and tell Australia Post how to do their job, that’s not our place.

“Our residents are saying they don’t believe a due process was followed correctly and they’d like it to be looked at, it’s our job to at least ask.”

Ms Noli said in recent correspondence with Australia Post they were “very understanding” about the ballot issues and that a potential re-vote may take place next January or February to re-determine if Cooya Beach residents do indeed want a regular mail service.

Wangetti Trail latest

Meantime, in other Douglas Shire Council developments from yesterday’s meeting plans to start building the Wangetti Trail are slowly starting to gain momentum.

Council voted unanimously to enter into a joint trustee lease with Cairns Regional Council and the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport (DTIS).

In simple terms the agreement means the first six kilometres of the trail from Palm Cove to Ellis Beach can now proceed and be finalised for construction.

“Douglas was instrumental in developing the Wangetti Trail concept and remains a strong advocate for the project,” Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said.

“We believe it has significant potential to be one of Australia’s leading wilderness and adventure tourism experiences.”

Other Councillors also expressed their support.

“Once built the trail will be recognised as world class and it’s important to note Council has played an important role in supporting it,” Proud Councillor Ms Noli remarked.

Mossman pedestrian petition

In other business, Council received and acknowledged a petition from a resident that included 190 signatures about the need for a pedestrian crossing or slow down lights in Mossman.

The lights would connect Mossman playground and the Saturday Mossman Markets, under Raintrees.

“This (issue) has been going on for a long time, there have been a lot of near misses,” Cr Roy Zammataro noted.

“There’s a fatality waiting to happen there, it’s a dangerous situation waiting to happen.”

Prior to receiving the petition Council also confirmed they recently met with TMR to talk about the installation of speed indication signage.

TMR advised Council they are investigating options to temporarily lower the speed limit on market days.