Tourism numbers and local issues on the agenda as Cook MP visits Douglas
STATE GOVERNMENT
Member for Cook Cynthia Lui visited the Douglas Shire yesterday and said boosting tourism numbers, local transport, and the Newell Beach boat ramp are high on her agenda.
Ms Lui’s visit comes as part of her ongoing mobile office visits around her electorate which she said is to make herself more accessible to constituents.
“My visits are important as they give locals the opportunity to raise their concerns and issues directly with me,” she said.
“This opportunity also allows me to keep better informed and gain greater insight into local issues.”
A major issue concerning the Douglas Shire community is visitor numbers and Ms Lui said she is looking for more ways to better attract tourism numbers into the region.
“We have committed $36 million in the State Budget to build the iconic 94-kilometre Wangetti trail from Palm Cove to Port Douglas that will become a must-do tourism experience in Far North Queensland.
“I'm hoping that once the Wangetti trail is completed we will see an influx of people just to walk the track.”
“The aviation industry is also a huge factor as well because we know if we're going to attract people, we need to make sure that aviation is on-side and that they're bringing people so it's a matter of getting everyone to work in collaboration.”
“We have more funding on the table than ever before for new flights. Cairns Airport know this, that’s why they’re able to negotiate with airlines throughout Asia and the Middle East.”
Ms Lui said the lack of public transport in the region is another issue that residents often raise with her particularly in getting between Mosman and Port Douglas.
“Even though Mossman and Port Douglas are close together they are still so far apart, and it affects things like patients in Port Douglas getting to Mossman Hospital and people in Mosman getting to Port Douglas for jobs opportunities.
“I'm currently working through that one and at this point in time I don't have a solution, but it is one that is on my agenda,” Ms Lui said.
She added that upgrades to the Newell Beach boat ramp is something she has worked towards for a while because boaties in the Mossman area are disadvantaged having to travel to Daintree, Rocky Point or Port Douglas to put their boats in.
The major upgrades will see the installation of a new all tide boat ramp and access walkway into the Mossman River main channel.
“Up until this point, we worked in the design phase of it and looking at all the different options in the area. Finally, it is at a point where we're going to call for tender sometime in the new year and construction will start after that,” Ms Lui said.
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