A boost for young families living and visiting Port Douglas, with Council committing $500,000 to a new playground at Rex Smeal Park.
The contract was awarded to a Mowbray playground supplier (AAA Playscapes) at a Special Council Meeting on Tuesday, November 21.
Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said the project received overwhelming support at the meeting.
“Reef and rainforest day trips might be at the top of to-do lists for adult tourists but a playground can be the equivalent drawcard for young children,” Mayor Kerr said.
“I’m sure families across the Douglas Shire are also looking forward to having another venue for the kids to burn off some energy.
“We all know the benefits of physical activity and testing skills on challenging equipment but, put simply, playgrounds are just fun!”
Installing a new playground at Rex Smeal Park has been a priority for Council.
It had applied for a Federal Government grant to partly fund the project but delays with that program would’ve pushed the completion date back to late 2024.
“I, along with the other councillors, wanted the playground to progress sooner rather than later and waiting until next year to find out whether we were successful in securing a grant from the Growing Regions Program wasn’t an option we wanted to consider,” Mayor Kerr said.
AAA Playscapes has committed to completing the project by mid next year.
