Wednesday 4 May 2011

Council quiet on Hunt concerns

: Cairns Regional Council Mayor, Val Schier, says that applications for funding will be delayed by indecision.

by Mat Churchill

Gary Hunt created an avalanche of discussion with his views on the lagoon pool process in Port Douglas, but Cairns Regional Council remains tight-lipped despite numerous attempts by The Newsport to procure their collective thoughts on Mr Hunt's open letter.

However, Mayor Val Schier said that while there is no agreed preference for the lagoon location then efforts to obtain funding for the project will be delayed.

"If there is a lot of diverse views and there's no consensus around it or there's no preferred option then that's certainly going to delay us getting a detailed design, and that certainly then delays us going into bat for funding.

"I have spoken and raised the Port Douglas lagoon with both the acting Prime Minister Wayne Swan, just last weekend I spoke with him, and I've also raised it in the last fortnight with Anna Bligh. I'll go to bat when I've something to go to bat for."

When questioned as to whether the project remains a priority for Council, Mayor Schier said "It's a major priority but we've got to follow our processes. People have been pressuring and saying why haven't we put in an application for the Regional Development Australia Fund. Well we can't do that until we've got an agreed position."

The comments came after dozens of readers of The Newsport's article 'Gary Hunt slams lagoon process' (Wednesday 27 April) joined an all but united front by voicing their confidence in Mr Hunt's position.

Meanwhile, the Port Douglas Chamber of Commerce president Ken Dobbs said their approval of the proposed lagoon pool location would not be altered by non-members.

"If they want to affect the Chamber's input they should write to the Chamber and we've had nothing, not one as far as I'm aware of, email from a member and they have to be a member to get some credibility in their view."

Mr Dobbs said the Chamber's current membership base is approximately 60 businesses.

"The Chamber's view was in our media release and it remains the same," he said. "There is no right and wrong answer in this."

Have your say!

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Jane King, 11-05-11 15:36:

Beautify the Wharf Street area near the church by all means, but it is not the right spot for a lagoon. Just another idea.....what about another stinger net at the other end of Four Mile Beach or even the lagoon at that end of town?

jennifer ducker, 06-05-11 10:37:

Why do you think that a lagoon will bring more people to the area? Backpackers will probably use it but the majority of visitors are more interested in the reef, rainforest and surrounds - thats what they come to see - not to lie around a man made pool in the middle of town. Use the money the to promote the area here and more importantly overseas - bring the tourists here for the right reasons and the town will prosper. If you insist on a pool then build one at the sports centre where the school, young mothers with toddlers, and those who like doing laps could utilise it. Lease it out and therefore nullify the economic impact on the rate payers of the town. Really Ken, why do you think that only members of the CofC are entitled to an opinion - after 25 years I think I have a right to say what I think as an individual.

Sally Sherlock, 05-05-11 21:18:

I totally agree with Rhona

Helen Gabour, 05-05-11 16:43:

I HATE fake beaches! We have four miles of beautiful beachfront and plenty of swimming pools. Waterfront parkland please. @Roger - "develop or die" - we are overdeveloped already.

Mereana Pohatu, 05-05-11 11:58:

I remember back in 2003 when the families here (children now 10-12yrs) were rallying together 5 years before hand to bring a playground/pool facility for their children/visitors & looking into what Cairns Council have seemed to brand without local injection or asking "hey what have you been wanting to do for this community & how can we help to bring to fruition?" Cc... as Rhona & all want-please show some respect & work together-we're not having another concrete jungle. Re-use, re-plant, recycle!.... Clean Water/Sewerage-same old? You can fool all of the people all of the time if the advertising is fine & the budget is big enough-Joseph E.Levine

Roger Ward, 05-05-11 10:27:

Wow, there sure is some politics in this issue. From the sideline I'd just like to add that all this discussion had better not result in this lagoon NOT being built. Personally, I feel Port is at the cross roads, "develop or die".

We need to inject some infrastructure fast as other prestige locations have already done so and they are competing for our tourism income.

Greg Quinn, 05-05-11 09:40:

Unlike previous posts, I don't see anything in Ken Dobbs comments that imply that he is saying the CoC is the only credible voice on this issue, nor is he saying that the CoC knows what's best for everyone. And I don't see him being critical of others taking an alternate view. All he appears to be saying is that the CoC has a view - based on the collective view of its members, and that view has not been altered by recent criticism of the proposed plan. You may not like the CoC position, but don't criticise it for have one and stating it publicly.

steve , 04-05-11 22:15:

Rhona says it for me too. Of course ther3 has to be an agreed position before funding can be sought but that's not the same as saying that the CRC or the Chamber knows best and the rest of us can just put up with it.

steve , 04-05-11 22:14:

Rhona says it for me too.

Rhona Eastment, 04-05-11 16:20:

What is Ken Dobbs saying? Is he saying that the only credible opinion is that of the Chamber of Commerce? Division 10 is made up of much more than just the 60 businesses he promotes. We, both long-term and newer arrivals are more than entitled to have our say in the restructuring of the waterfront. The consultation process was started a few years ago, progressed, the plan that was decided won an award, and now the Cairns Regional Council and the Chamber of Commerce, just want to wipe that all away, and completely re-invent a plan which is NOT agreed by the majority, as Cairns Council seems to keep telling us. This waterfront belongs to the people of this region, not to the Chamber and not to Cairns Regional Council. Listen to we the people, don't ride rough-shod over us as if we hadn't a clue as to what was good for us. AND, I keep hearing that 'they' are going to move the church.... Well, I would imagine that will be 'over many dead bodies'.