DOUGLAS Shire is opening its doors to the world. And the message is clear: if current global events such as Brexit or President Donald Trump’s comedic antics and fake news are a concern, the shire is ideally positioned to provide the ideal and stress-free change in lifestyle.

“And we welcome people of all political persuasions, all religions, and all ethnicities in the Douglas Shire. We have a very vibrant and diverse community,” Mayor Julia Leu said.

With its flagship document “Discover Paradise Relocate Resources Pack”, the Douglas Shire Council is openly encouraging emigration to Australia with Port Douglas the ultimate final re-location point.

Council has launched a campaign with Australia & New Zealand Magazine in the UK targeting residents keen to escape Old Blighty with a full-page advertisement promoting the Douglas Shire as part of a feature on Tropical North Queensland in the magazine’s current edition, which will also be promoted at Emigration Expos in the UK over the coming months.

In this hugely progressive and excitingly provocative step, Council identified the emigration campaign with a UK publisher of Australia-specific magazines more than 12 months ago.

“The latest edition of Australia & New Zealand Magazine, which is distributed through newsagencies and at emigration expos throughout the UK, has a fantastic feature on Tropical North Queensland, which includes our advertisement and promotes the benefits of the Douglas Shire to a skilled and professional workforce who may be looking to re-locate to Australia,” said Mayor Leu.

She said Council is also launching a Facebook campaign specifically targeting people in the US and UK looking to emigrate, which kicked off today.

“When we first started developing the campaign, Brexit nor President Trump were on the radar of most people, and certainly not us.

“The fact that recent political developments in these countries have driven citizens in record numbers to explore migrating to other countries, only provides further reasons for Council to promote the credentials of our amazing destination,” she said.

And last Friday when conditional approval was granted for the $85 million Reef Marina waterfront transformation, Mayor Leu clearly promoted future investment in the region. 

But those in Port Douglas, particularly, the group who cringe when the word ‘development’ is mentioned, and are still living in the small fishing village syndrome, the Council’s provocative and progressive stance points to change whether you like it or not. This is 21st Century thinking and the right approach.

“The conditional approval of the marina redevelopment further demonstrates that Council is able to negotiate positive outcomes on behalf of its communities.

“It is not the role of governments, and certainly not this Council, to shut down developments. We are the custodians of ensuring any development is appropriate for our environment and our communities and that is what I believe we have done again on this occasion,” she said.

Mayor Leu said this is the only place on earth where two World Heritage-listed environments meet – the magnificent Daintree Rainforest and the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef – and the Douglas Shire is ideally positioned to cater for professionals looking for a sea or tree change.

“We’re not influenced by the politics of Brexit or President Trump, but we do see an opportunity to promote the opportunities available in the Douglas Shire to those who may be looking to emigrate in these uncertain times.

“The facts are that people in the UK and US are exploring their opportunities to live and work overseas in record numbers, and that’s not fake news; that’s computer servers in Canada and other places crashing due to the sheer volume of people trying to find out the details about the emigration process.

“We welcome people of all political persuasions, all religions, and all ethnicities in the Douglas Shire. We have a very vibrant and diverse community,” she said.

The advertising campaign was developed by Council’s economic development team in the CEO Unit in consultation with the Mayor and the CEO and all Councillors are aware of the details of the campaign.

Find out more about the Discover Paradise Relocate Resources Pack

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