Douglas helps Wangetti Trail step ahead
DOUGLAS Shire Council has reinforced its support for the State Government’s plans to progress the world-class Wangetti Trail.
Councillors today resolved to provide a trustee lease over the land that Council owns to facilitate construction and delivery of Queensland’s first purpose-built walking and mountain biking track.
Once complete, the 94-kilometre Wangetti Trail stretching from Palm Cove to Port Douglas will be a signature tourist attraction that will showcase the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics and the Great Barrier Reef.
Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said the trail has always been an exciting proposition.
“Douglas was instrumental in developing the Wangetti Trail concept and remains a strong advocate for the project,” he said.
“We believe it has significant potential to be one of Australia’s leading wilderness and adventure tourism experiences.”
“Council is eager to ensure it is built that way and keenly awaits further detail from the State Government to understand the ongoing management arrangements for the trail.”
Most of the trail will be located within national park, however, there are three sections of the proposed trail within land controlled by the Cairns and Douglas local government areas, which require the Councils to enter into a trustee lease with Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport (DTIS).
Splash Park coming soon to Mossman Pool
The Mossman Pool is one step closer to getting a new splash park.
Douglas Shire Council today awarded contracts to design and construct the new wet play area to Urban Play Pty Ltd and Aqua Project Solutions Pty Ltd.
The splash pad and water play equipment will be installed on the grass area at the Mossman Pool. Construction is expected to start before the end of the year.
The project is funded by Council and the Queensland Government which has offered Council $1.5 million to build splash parks in Mossman and Port Douglas.
Council is also seeking tender submissions from a company to conduct community engagement for the Port Douglas Aquatic Precinct.
This closes on 30 September 2022.
Both projects need to be completed before 31 May 2024 to meet the State Government’s grant funding guidelines.
Council backs more houses at Newell Beach
More houses will be built at a beachside suburb north of Mossman.
Councillors today approved a development application for 22 residential house lots, a new road and drainage works at the southern end of Coulthard Close, Newell Beach. The land is located west of existing houses fronting Andrews Street.
Access to the development will be via an extension of Coulthard Close which involves the construction of a culvert crossing over a drainage line.
In the 2021/22 financial year, private certifiers issued 108 building approvals for new dwellings in Douglas Shire – an increase of 47.9% on the previous year.
Other local housing developments progressing include 22 lots at Daintree Horizons Estate in Mossman, Ocean Breeze Estate in Cooya Beach and Newport Estate at Craiglie.
Move to improve Pedestrian safety at Mossman Markets
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is currently investigating suitable options to temporarily lower the speed at the Mossman Markets.
Council today noted and received a petition regarding a pedestrian crossing, or slow down lights, for the Mossman Markets, located at Foxton Avenue.
The markets are held under the Raintrees on Foxton Avenue, Mossman every Saturday 7am– 1.00pm.
Before receiving the petition, Council met with TMR to discuss the installation of speed indication signage at the site.