by Mat Churchill
The response to The Newsport poll on whether a lagoon pool in Port Douglas is the town's biggest priority has been overwhelming, and the result has been a resounding "Yes!"
Port Douglas Waterfront Master Plan
Nearly 200 people, including a strong contingent of local business owners, have voiced their opinion in the biggest poll in The Newsport's history, with around 75% eager to see the development get under way as soon as possible.
Comments from readers (see below) suggest that tourism in Port Douglas suffers without the facility as it struggles to attract visitors in the 'stinger' season, losing out to places like Airlie Beach who have a waterfront public pool.
"(We) have just travelled up the Queensland coast and every seaside town we visited had a beautifully presented recreational foreshore…" said Sue Parry.
"We are trying to attract tourists to this town but we don't have recreational facilities that support the local community let alone visitors. The time for procrastination, referral and discussion is over. It is time to do it."
The call to action comes at a time when the first meeting of the Port Douglas Master Plan Advisory Committee has been held to prioritise the waterfront projects.
Mayor Val Schier confirmed that the committee discussed the merits of a lagoon pool.
"We have a budget of $800,000 this financial year, and it's my understanding that the Whitsunday's lagoon pool cost around $15 million so we need to look at the whole concept and look for funding," she said.
Local representative on the committee, Gary Hunt, said the way forward will be clearer after their next meeting in six weeks.
"The first meeting was an information session, and when we meet again we'll have a clearer understanding of what can be done in the short, medium, and long term."
Incoming Leichhardt MP, Warren Entsch expressed his concern over the time it has taken for the project to get underway.
"I'm concerned how the whole process has gone. I'm amazed it has taken ten years to get to this point.
"It's a critical piece of infrastructure and saying it'll take another ten years (for the project to be completed) is rubbish."
Mr Enstch said he has selected a team of people to expedite the project made up of local representatives from the tourism industry, business leaders, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce.
"You can consult these things to death. Government agencies (local and State) should be kept out of discussions as they're pushing they're own agendas.
"The people I've identified have got a lot of fire in their bellies. These people are movers and shakers and have made things happen."
Mr Entsch's comments throw an uncertain light on the future role and make up of the newly formed Port Douglas Master Plan Advisory Committee.
Mr Entsch said there was a strong need for a comprehensive plan with real costings, describing the current figure of $20 million over ten years as "rubbery."
C'mon, we are sick of paying extreme rates and having only talk to show for it!
Have been here for over 20 years and we have only had cosmetic changes to our foreshore and it shows. Our forefathes had an enclosed bathing facility we need their vision now.
We are trying to attract tourists to this town but we don't have recreational facilities that support the local community let alone visitors.
The time for procrastination, referral and discussion is over it is time to do it.
beach lagoon would give children as well as adults, both local and visiting, an alternative swimming option
would be a focal point, meeting place, chance to cool off in fresh water without the sticky saltiness of ocean
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