Douglas Shire Council is digging in with more than 200 native trees and plants as Stage 1 of the Daintree Gateway begins to flourish this week.

Council’s Open Spaces team is creating a new oasis of native plants and trees adjacent to the toilet block at the Daintree ferry, before revitalising the car park area and landscaping roadside pockets leading to the Mossman-Daintree Rd turn-off, where a feature entrance will be created.

Mayor Julia Leu said the $287,000 project, which will also include new interpretive signage and a new toilet block near the car park, was the signature statement the area deserved.

“Hundreds of native trees and plants will be planted over the next two months to enhance the area and give tourists and locals a real sense of our incredible Daintree Rainforest before they cross on the ferry,” Mayor Leu said.

“The Daintree Gateway is a project we have been working towards for many years as a community so I’m delighted work has finally begun and we can soon have an even greater appreciation for the area.

“I’m very proud for the Daintree Gateway to be one of the first major capital works projects of our new Council as we create something beautiful that reflects the unique natural identity of our Shire.”

Native tropical species being planted at this first site include Acacia mangium, Licuala ramsayi, Randia audasii, Cyathea cooperi, Tapeinochilos ananassae, Davidsonia pruriens, Helicia nortoniana, Atractocarpus hirtus, Spathoglottis paulinae and Phaius tancarvilleae.