Douglas Shire Council is set to make it easier for visitors to access Four Mile Beach via Sand Street in Port Douglas with the construction of a brand new boardwalk and composite fibre stairs to replace the old wooden ones.
The Port Street area will also undergo additional maintenance including the realignment of a beach access track, general path maintenance, and fencing.
Upon completion, interpretative signs will be installed, and a community tree planting day will be organised to add to the area’s aesthetic appeal. The upgrades are part of the Council’s Resilient Coast Strategic Plan, which aims to improve access to the beach and rehabilitate the foreshore.
According to Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr, Four Mile Beach is one of the country’s best coastlines, and any investment to make it more accessible is fantastic news for both locals and visitors. He also noted that the new beach access and coastal rehabilitation are part of the Council’s strategy to manage the risk of coastal hazards and prepare for the impacts of climate change.
The Council received $188,000 in funding under the QCoast2100 Program for a Community Coastal Rehabilitation & Education Project, which is funded by the Queensland Government and administered by the Local Government Association of Queensland.
While the upgrades are underway from 23 February to mid-May 2023, some beach access tracks may be temporarily closed, but there are alternative beach access tracks nearby.
The Council will provide further notice before the works start and contact residents directly affected by the project.
