Douglas Shire Council / Fast-tracking a safe public swimming location in Port Douglas

DOUGLAS SHIRE COUNCIL MEDIA RELEASE


A PLAN to fast track a year-round safe swimming spot in Port Douglas will leave the blocks next week. Douglas Shire Council will test the waters with a short survey to gauge how much the community wants a splash park and recreational pool in Port Douglas. The chemical-free lagoon vision, released by the previous Council will not be progressed.

The survey will be available from Monday 19 October via Councilโ€™s website.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said ratepayers deserve a realistic and achievable year-round swimming option to consider.

โ€œWhile great at grabbing a headline, I believe a lagoon in Douglas Shire is an unrealistic and impractical concept to put in front of ratepayers,โ€ he said.

โ€œWe will put responsible options back on the table that are financially viable for this Council and sensitive to the delicate water security issues we face.

โ€œWhat we did learn from the previous community consultation, was that year-round swimming is a very high priority and I want to deliver on this within two years, not be still talking about it in 10 years.

โ€œFirstly, ratepayers will get an opportunity to tell us exactly what they want before staff present some cost-effective options for the community to consider.โ€

Council recently completed investigations into the possibility of restoring an old pool on Port Douglas Rd, finding the site was unsuitable as a public recreation area due to issues with car-parking and vehicle access from the main road.

The chemical-free lagoon vision, released by the previous Council months before the last local government election, will not be progressed.

The upcoming consultation will pin point the communityโ€™s desire, as well as muster ideas for a zero-depth water play area and public pool.

The survey will close on Tuesday 17 November, 2020.

Mayor Kerr said building a social area where swimming or water play can occur safely, 365-days-a-year, was one of his main priorities.

โ€œAs beautiful as Douglas Shire is, we know challenges exist when it comes to swimming in our waterways and beaches. Whether itโ€™s jellyfish during the stinger season or crocs going about their business, we must provide enjoyable and safe recreational places for residents and tourists to socialise,โ€ he said.

โ€œItโ€™s time to get to work on a safe swimming place that gives local families somewhere to take the kids, and tourists somewhere to enjoy.โ€


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