Local Port Douglas resident Roy Weavers is the only mayoral candidate who has stepped up to the plate for the upcoming March local election.

Mr Weavers was the former general manager of Carnivale and co-founder of Newsport and has since resigned his post after declaring his nomination to run for Mayor.

Mr Weavers and wife Annie have called Port Douglas home since 2003 and their two adult children are also located in the Shire.

“My daughter has a cane farm in Lower Cassowary and my son has a business in Mossman.  My wife works at the Mirage Golf Shop.  So all the family are here and we’re now bedded down in the Douglas Shire,” he said.

To achieve controlled, planned and sustainable growth, Mr Weavers referred to the three pillars that support business development and economic growth.

“We need community development, business development and open communication. I want to be able to inspire the region to get involved in more business development so the next generation can invest in the area because we don’t have enough employment.  We don’t want our children disappearing due to the lack of work,” he said.

Referring to two existing business paths to be tapped into, he said Mossman and Port Douglas are only partly developed.

“They’re ready and rearing to go.  We don’t necessarily need to use any more land we just need clean business and to encourage well-planned and appropriate business while bearing in mind the environment.  It’s our living for both tourism and agriculture.

“Community and business development is about inspiring and planning it’s not about property development. It’s about sustainable growth,” he said.

In relation to community development Mr Weavers said return on investment (ROI) is not always fiscal.

“It’s also about morale and having a good time and being so pleased to live here because it’s such a great place to live.  That’s why a twelve month calendar of consolidated events is one way to bring a smile back to the Douglas Shire.”

In relation to the Daintree, Mr Weavers believes there is some confusion to the wants and needs of the residents.

“Having another conversation with the residents will determine how they see their future because I struggle with the fact people are forced to use generators and I am not sure why.  With modern technology I think solar energy would solve this problem or we can find an affordable alternative for those who want the region to come into the 21st century.  I think a forum will reveal what they want, which will avoid any confusion,” he said.

As the Port Douglas waterfront redevelopment continues to move forward, there is no doubt that the process has been very complex over the years for all stakeholders involved.

Understanding that there has been some recent mutual agreement between the developers and the commercial fishermen, Mr Weavers said now there is a need to find out what the present Council is finding difficult to come to terms with.

“We are not building a marina, we are putting an existing structure together in a modern way and I want to see the marina as an important feature as it once was,” he said.

Another well-received project underway in the region is the Mossman Botanic Garden and Mr Weavers declared that for the last twelve months he has been a board member.

“I am very excited about the way the independent consultants are presenting both the master and plan and the all important business plan.  This will undoubtedly be a world-class attraction and a centre of excellence for science.

“I fervently hope I can find a way, with all other responsibilities, to stay involved to bring this project to fruition,” he said.

With the recent announcement of the Mossman aged care facility development receiving additional funding, provided under the Building Our Regions program, Mr Weavers said Marjorie Norris and her team should be so proud.

“They have been battling with bureaucracy for 20 years.  Now we have the opportunity to support our ageing population, which was long over due.”

With the continued national media coverage of the neglect and treatment of animals bringing awareness to the public, local facilities such as Paws and Claws play a vital role in communities.  With the search continuing for an appropriate site to relocate their facility, Mr Weavers said it is essential.

“As human beings we should be ashamed. Thank goodness for organisations like Paws and Claws.  I only know what I have read and I think another conversation is needed with the Paws and Claws committee to simplify the situation, because sitting on the sidelines, it looks very complicated.”

As a tourist and even a local it would be difficult not to notice the number of empty retail shops in Port Douglas and Mossman but Mr Weavers said there is an answer.

“I am aware landlords have their own reasons for asking what they do for rent.  But there are conversations to have to ensure our retail sectors are active and exciting and the business community needs to be included in this.”

After the Douglas Business Forum late last year, it was established that the issues surrounding unsatisfactory internet connectivity required a whole of community approach to work toward a solution.

The Douglas Chamber of Commerce together with Council, initiated meetings with Telstra and NBN representatives, to begin that process and Mr Weavers said it is not only a vital component for existing business.

“If we’re going to encourage any new business to come and develop their business in the Douglas Shire, we have to have all the facilities available.

“We have good road systems, an airport and an available workforce. The NBN and fast internet speed is the final piece of the jigsaw to make the Douglas Shire irresistible,” he said.

With the term of the current election taking the Douglas Shire into 2020, Mr Weavers said during the past two year term, since deamalgamation, the transition government has done its job well, especially middle management and the front line services.

“However it’s time for a fresh approach and we require an executive administration that stops generating unnecessary negativity on first contact.

“Personally I don’t want to hear the word ‘no’ I want to hear ‘let’s talk about it and see if we can help’.  This will require a number of small steps to get the executive administration to understand that we must be more supportive and encouraging to the community as a whole, whether for business or leisure, creating a culture of inspiration.

“My role is to support all initiatives in the Douglas Shire to ensure we are creating what our resident population, business population and our visitors want to see.

“This will ensure controlled, planned and sustainable growth.  Almost everything that we do in this region involves the environment so this has to be protected as a priority.  But that doesn’t stop progress.  It just means it has to be carefully managed.

“If we get it wrong this time we can’t get it right until 2020,” said Mr Weavers.