Friday 18 February 2011

Premier Bligh to visit Port Douglas

: Queensland Premier Anna Bligh will address local business people at a Port Douglas Chamber of Commerce luncheon next Thursday.

Premier Anna Bligh will visit Port Douglas on Thursday as part of her plan to govern the State from Cairns for four days next week.

While in town she will attend a Port Douglas Chamber of Commerce luncheon to be held at the Sheraton Mirage Resort, and Chamber President Ken Dobbs said the town's business people are welcome to attend.

"She's coming here because she wants to talk to Port Douglas businesses, I mean that's essentially the reason," he said.

"I think it's prestigious to say that the Premier sees that Port Douglas is a significant enough business place to visit and hear about what are the issues we are facing."

Mr Dobbs said that although Port Douglas escaped serious damage from Cyclone Yasi, the lack of diversity in the town's industry meant it was still heavily affected.

"Anything in Queensland that's tourism related is impacted because people are not thinking about having a holiday in Queensland. And that affects us as much as anyone else. In fact it affects us more because tourism is our only industry."

But Mr Dobbs said it would be inappropriate at this time to go to Premier Bligh with a "shopping list" of items the town needs funding for.

"We can go to the Premier with our concerns and explain how we are so exposed to tourism, and therefore while we didn't have any physical damage our business damage is probably proportionately higher than most other parts of Queensland because our business is tourism and tourism's having a problem.

"What I would be looking at is trying to get a commitment that any funds to come out of the sale of the marina land, the waterfront development, would be returned to Port Douglas."

The opportunity to hold the Chamber luncheon came from a request to the Premier from Cook MP, Jason O'Brien.

"I'm pleased that the Premier's visit will take in not just Cairns but the region and we'll see her in my electorate," Mr O'Brien said.

Tickets to the luncheon are $35 per person. For more information, contact the Chamber on 4084 0285 or visit the booking website.

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Mereana Pohatu, 23-02-11 12:37:

We're giving you heads up Anna Bligh... NB: DEAMALGAMATE DOUGLAS SHIRE!!
the usual screams you heard before the selfish decision: Local young achievers lost to non-paradise polluted metro's due to parents jobs lost, Local jobs lost to Cairns, Local rates lost to Cairns, Local forward steps backwards to Cairns, Local little land lost to non-filled ugly high-rise concrete buildings Like Cairns & .... Losers to Cairns? Not in my vote!

Toni McNamara, 22-02-11 18:23:

To help us improve our tourism image the State Gov. could either fund our Waterfront Redevelopment or, better still, set us free from CRC and let us get with running the old DSC. To cope with the vagaries of the tourist industry you have to be on the scene and on your toes ready to anticipate and react. We cannot survive as a rural/residential outer, outer suburb hoping it will be our turn in the next budget for a bit of a refurb. while watching arable land disappear into unwanted subdivisions. We are trying to tread water but drifting slowly towards the drainpipe, not waiving......DROWNING!

Angie Whitburn, 21-02-11 11:18:

Would love to make Anna Bligh aware, that since amalgamation, our shire has suffered. A GOOD example was after cyclone Yasi. Port Douglas, Mossman and surrounding areas looked absolutley disgusting (with trees fallen etc). CRC did not come near the area to help clean up. Most owners of properties cleaned or hired contractors to clean up. This would not have happened with previous Council (the old council would have organised help). Most of the shire feels neglected by CRC and it shows in the cleaning of our streets, gutters and trees. We all pay rates. We should all get same privleges as Cairns. Anna Bligh should be made aware of it all. Up to you Businesses that attend her dinner.

Ed , 19-02-11 13:23:

Frank thank you for your feedback. Yes the page linked did not have any information. Please recheck link we have linked directly to booking page.

Leila , 19-02-11 10:05:

I agree I believe this is a good indication the Government is crapping their pants there will be a huge decline in Queensland Tourism! With the current list of disasters which have occuried over the past 6 months. This is grossly impacting Queensland Tourism capital which helps fund the government it is only with their own selfish interest they are visiting, but at least they are standing up and taking notice. Hard play ignorant when you have a Large state with so many people standing infront of you waving their arms to do something about it!

Paula Johnson, 18-02-11 20:26:

Please note that the ticket prices for the Anna Bligh lunch are $35 for Port Douglas Chamber members and guests and $45 for non-members.

Rod Davis Davis, 18-02-11 20:07:

Dear Ms Bligh.
Keep Us ruled by Cairns, and regretably, we in Douglas will ensure your electoral result here, is as before, ie dismal. In 2 words: Deamalgamate Douglas.
Ever since its be a part of Cairns, Douglas has gone down the gurgler.

Frank Frikker, 18-02-11 18:11:

I went to the website of the chamber but there is a) no possibility to purchase tickets nor is there a phone#. You need to know someone who knows someone. FNQ!

philip dalziel, 18-02-11 16:54:

would love to attend if I was there ,so glad its at Mirage and not Zinc again ,still cant get the grease taste out of my mouth