New post-Jasper recovery role in Council’s sights
The rebuild following Cyclone Japer flooding continues, and while the recovery in roads and water is progressing well, the human and social recovery will likely take up to 10 years.
That’s why Council will be seeking grant money to appoint a Community Recovery and Resilience Officer.
Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said if Council’s grant application was successful, the officer would initially be hired for two years.
“The improvements to the roads and other Council infrastructure are clear to see but the human recovery from such a traumatic event is harder to measure,” Mayor Scomazzon said.
“The new officer would assist in building resilience, supporting vulnerable people plan and prepare for future disasters and ensure service providers are best placed to deliver support for those who need it most.”
A $14.1m Community Health and Wellbeing, Community Recovery and Resilience Officers, Flexible Funding Grants package has been announced – the funding will be administered by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority. The guidelines are yet to be released.
BoM gauge takeover to save Council maintenance costs
Council’s access to flood intelligence will not be impacted despite a decision to transfer ownership of two of its rain and river level gauges to the Federal Government.
The Bureau of Meteorology and Queensland Government will be responsible for the gauges moving forward but Council will enter an agreement with the BoM to ensure access to flood warning information remains available to the Disaster Management Unit
Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said the handover of Mossman Treatment Plant and Rex Creek Intake gauges should ultimately improve “flood warning services to our community”.
“The BoM is committed to maintain flood warning assets at the same high standard of their existing network,” Mayor Scomazzon said.
“It’s Council expectation the flood warning network will eventually be modernised and become more resilient as a result, helping communities be better prepared during flood events.”
The handover is part of the Flood Warning Infrastructure Network program which began in Queensland in 2023, with the aim of obtaining and maintaining about a thousand flood warning sites over four years.
Contracts awarded for road repair and maintenance
Nearly $350,000 will be spent renewing pavement across the Douglas Shire.
The work will be undertaken by Cairns company Pioneer North Queensland.
Another Cairns company, FGF Bitumen, has been awarded to contract to reseal the shire’s bitumen roads.
The resealing protects bitumen from damage such as rutting and potholes.
Council manages about 220km of sealed roads, 54km of concrete floodways and 156km of gravel roads.
Neighbourhood Centre’s future secured
The Port Douglas Neighbourhood Centre’s future at Mowbray Street has been secured, with Council offering its operator a new long-term freehold lease agreement.
Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said the 20-year-agreement will end in 2045.
“The Port Douglas Neighbourhood Centre has provided a range of programs for families, for those needing financial assistance and other support services for the past 20 years,” Mayor Scomazzon said.
“There was no hesitation from myself or the elected members in assisting this vital community hub with an agreement which allows Port Douglas Community Service Network Incorporated to plan for the future with certainty.”
Popular Mossman arts base plans to expand
The Douglas Arts Base (DAB) at Mossman is spreading its wings and Council is facilitating the expansion.
Elected members have endorsed the amalgamation of Lots 13 and 14 at 9-11 Mill Street.
DAB is experiencing an increased demand for art classes and the amalgamation will pave the way for DAB to build a shed to accommodate extra activities. The proposed location of shed would straddle properties.
Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said she was pleased DAB was growing to meet demand.
“The Douglas Shire has strong arts community and it’s important Council encourages creativity for people of all ages,” she said.
A splash of colour for Ergon power assets
Drab power boxes could become prominent canvases for artists through a project being considered for the Douglas Shire.
Council will be applying for a $30,000 grant to begin the Creative Spark Ergon Energy Pubic Art Project.
Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said the shire had a ”strong tradition of embracing public art”.
“Ergon assets are necessary part of landscape but the thought of beautifying this infrastructure, and celebration the work our talented artists, is an exciting prospect,” she said.
