The Mossman Centrelink office has been swamped this morning as people rush to sign up for the new Coronavirus Supplement payment just one day after the Prime Minister announced it. As more and more people find themselves without work due…
From midday today pubs, clubs and other non-essential indoor venues will be forced to close, while restaurants and cafes will be limited to takeaway only. The new stage one restrictions on social gatherings were announced by the Prime…
COVID-19 has driven other important issues off the media agenda. But COVID-19 and those things driven off the agenda have something in common: the competency of government. Notice that whenever governments deliver bad news, such as…
While the world is facing unprecedented uncertainty due to COVID-19, one message is being shouted loud and clear amongst Douglas business owners; “we are open for business.” With 80 per cent of the Shire’s economy reliant on tourism, it…
We are facing a difficult and unprecedented time with the Coronavirus affecting all of us. As a business owner, you need to face the possibility of team members being absent from your workplace, product supply issues and demand for your…
The first case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been confirmed in the Far North. A woman is currently isolated in the Cairns Hospital with mild symptoms and contact tracing is underway. She had recently arrived in Australia from…
Unsurprisingly Anzac Day has joined the long list of cancelled events due to the COVID-19 outbreak, however, the Mossman RSL is encouraging residents to still honour those who served. Wally Gray from the Mossman RSL said while it is…
As the coronavirus situation continues to unfold, the impact is being felt hard by community sporting clubs, with many of the Shires major clubs cancelling training and suspending their seasons. AFL The Port Douglas Crocs AFL Club won’t…
Dear Editor, In order to make the best decision for our future we need to evaluate the past. To evaluate something means making a judgement based on analysis - not personal criticism If we look back at the challenges at hand in…
Yesterday the Wildlife Habitat’s resident 4.2-metre saltwater crocodile, Babinda, was in the spotlight, tasked with predicting who would be our next Douglas Shire Mayor. But it seems the decision may have been too hard a call for Babinda,…
The Port Douglas Carnivale 2020 has become the latest casualty in the coronavirus pandemic, with Council officially confirming the towns biggest party will be postponed and will not go ahead in May as planned. The announcement is in line…
The Mossman Gorge Centre has temporarily closed from today, 17 March as a precautionary measure to reduce the potential exposure and spread of COVID-19 within the local Indigenous community. According to the Department of Health, there is…
The Douglas Shire Council is urging everyone to remain calm in the face of the COVID-19 virus outbreak and is assuring residents that Council is prepared for any potential impacts. Queensland Health has confirmed there have been no cases…
The Queensland government has announced today a new $500 million loan facility, interest free for the first 12 months, to support businesses and keep Queenslanders in work. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the rapidly evolving impacts…
Coles and Woolworths Australia wide have introduced a temporarily dedicated shopping hour for the elderly, vulnerable, and disabled following the unprecedented demand due to the coronavirus outbreak. From Tuesday 17 March at Woolworths…
Queensland’s 2020 local government elections will at this stage go ahead as scheduled on March 28, according to the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ). Meanwhile, applications for postal votes have surged over the weekend with over…
The Port Douglas Reef Raiders rugby union team have picked up a pre-season trophy after winning the Hambo 10s tournament at the weekend. Hosted annually by Southside Rugby Club in Cairns, the Raiders defeated Barron 19-7 in the final of…
Queenslanders, including residents of the Douglas Shire, are set to see $50 wiped off their electricity bill for each of the next three years. The state government yesterday announced the plan to make power bills more affordable for…
The farce this week of two rivals holding separate presidential inaugurations in Afghanistan should raise questions of why the US ever went there, why Australia followed, and once there why have we stayed so long? The short answer is…
Babinda, the Port Douglas Wildlife Habitat’s resident 4.2-metre Saltwater Crocodile will have a chance to sink his teeth into the election candidates when he predicts the Shire’s next mayor. The apex predator will pick the pollie when he…
Mass gatherings of 500 people or more are set to be cancelled from Monday across the country. In an unprecedented move, Prime Minister Scott Morrison, this afternoon in a press conference advised against holding non-essential organised…
Far North Queensland will benefit from the Federal Government’s $17.6 billion economic plan to keep Far North Queenslanders in jobs, keep businesses in business, support households and the local economy as the world deals with the…
Dear Editor, I had originally composed a letter addressing the notions of real and authentic consultation which, despite the incumbent mayor’s claims, I am constantly told by locals is missing in our community and also answering queries…
“Great” is the buzzword for a new tourism branding for the Far North launched yesterday by Tropical Tourism North Queensland (TTNQ) as the industry deals with the impacts of coronavirus on the back of the southern bushfires. The new…
Newsport Readers had the opportunity to receive one of five double passes to see musician Bobby Alu live in concert at the Tanks Arts Centre on Friday 13 March. The winners are: - Sandra Dibbs - Jenny Clarke - Christopher James…
