FAMILIES living in Mossman and surrounds will soon have a new reason to visit the local pool.
Douglas Shire Council has announced it will release a tender next month to build a splash park on the grass area at the Mossman Pool.
The project will be joint funded by Council and the Queensland Government which has offered Council $1.5 million to build splash parks in Mossman and Port Douglas.
Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said the splash park would be a huge drawcard for the Mossman Pool precinct.
“We have more than 1500 pre-schoolers and primary school students in Douglas Shire, many who live on farms, in Mossman and in our rural beachside neighbourhoods,” he said.
“All kids young and old can choose their own level of getting wet at a splash park, while even smaller toddlers can tentatively make footprints.”
“Parents will love the shady picnic tables and BBQs nearby and they and older children can go into the 50-metre pool for a swim. It is the perfect place for families on hot sunny days.”
Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said the Palaszczuk Government was proud to deliver on the commitment to the people of Douglas Shire to deliver splash parks in the region.
“We are living up to that commitment and the communities will enjoy the connections and health benefits that come with splash parks,” Ms Lui said.
“On top of the splash parks commitment from the Queensland Government, the Douglas Shire Council has been allocated more than $9 million for community infrastructure projects through the job-creating Works for Queensland and COVID Works for Queensland programs.”
Council is also progressing plans to build a custom-made water play area in Port Douglas and will be asking people where they think the best spot is and reasons why it is the best location.
As part of that community engagement, staff will also collect feedback about whether a public pool in Port Douglas is needed in the long-term.
Mayor Kerr said both towns would have water play areas by 2024. “We have the funding locked in and now we need to get our community involved in a deeper level of engagement to bring their fantastic ideas to life,” he said.
“Now is good time for our residents in Port Douglas to think about what they would like to see in a water play area before we announce the engagement opportunities shortly.”
Both splash park and water play projects need to be completed before 31 May 2024 to meet the State Government’s grant funding guidelines
