St Mary's By The Lagoon?

: An aerial view of the recommended location of the lagoon pool and its proximity to St Mary's By The Sea.

by Mat Churchill

The Port Douglas lagoon feasibility study consultants, Strategic Leisure Group, have recommended a preferred location for the project which carries the economic hopes of many in our seaside community.

The lagoon, which is estimated at costing between $15 - $20 million to construct, will include a 1370m2 pool, 420m2 children's play pool with fountains, a deep water snorkel trail, and youth space and deep pool.

However not everyone agrees with the recommended location which will be just metres from St. Mary's By The Sea, fearing that noise from the lagoon will disrupt wedding and funeral services.

"I hear there are couple of people who are very vocal against it, other people are saying I haven't thought about that, I'll look and see what the positives are," said Mayor Val Schier

"I think we need to have a look at what landscaping can do. If you have a mound there that has landscaping in a way that creates a buffer between St Mary's and the pool . . .it may not necessarily be an impact. It's all around design I think," she said.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THE RECOMMENDED LOCATION? TAKE PART IN THE NEWSPORT POLL (right)

In what may generate passionate discussion, the concept of moving St Mary's By The Sea to another location has been touted by people within the town. St Marys was moved to its current location on 11 November 1988 to save the iconic building from demolition.

It is an option not ruled out by Cr Shier.

"I guess anything is on the table. I don't want this to turn into such a big tussle that it slows the project down. I really want this next three or four weeks to be just full on, robust discussion about what the opportunities are.

"Suggestions like that (moving St Mary's) can be put on the table. Possibly there are increase costs involved in that, where would it move to and how are you going to landscape it to make it attractive. It certainly could be on the table," Cr Schier said.

Judi Piat sits on the Port Douglas Restoration Society and is co-owner of St Mary's By The Sea with Virginia Donovan after the Catholic Bishop of Cairns gave them the church in 1986 to use as a non-denominational place of worship, and to use for private functions such as weddings, christenings, and funeral services.

"We haven't been able to sleep ever since (hearing the recommendation). We're not happy at all," Ms Piat said. "We actually met on site last Friday with Gary Hunt (who sits on the waterfront committee) just to see exactly where it's proposed to go and it's going to impact on the church terrifically."

"We have a lot of funerals and weddings at the church and we feel the lagoon is going to be so close. It's going to be holiday makers and people sun bathing and music, plus all the toilets and facilities they need to have. It's going to really impact on the church."

DO YOU AGREE WITH THE RECOMMENDED LOCATION? TAKE PART IN THE NEWSPORT POLL (top right)

"We're not against the lagoon but I don't think the site they're proposing is suitable. Can you imagine a hearse drawing up in front of a church and all the mourners coming out for a funeral?" she said.

"Someone even suggested to me that we move the church. I just don't think that's on. I don't think they can anyway because two of us actually own the church as it was given to us by the Catholics.," Ms Piat said.

"We just wonder who all these people are who voted for the present site they're proposing."

Gary Hunt could not be contacted for comment.

The Mayor denied the cost to reach this point in the project had topped $3 million.

"That's not accurate. When the amalgamation of Councils happened, the former Douglas Shire had allocated $900,000 for all of the consultation and the master planning. . .Cairns Regional Council kept that in the budget and that was allocated."

Residents and business owners can have their say on the proposal at a newly established office located in Macrossan Street.

The proposal is open for comment until 21 April

Have your say!

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Lesley Stephens, 10-04-11 11:28:

Thank you

Lesley Stephens, 10-04-11 11:27:

I totally agree with Marco, it really is a no brainer, how it could even be considered to be located anywhere else defies common sense. For goodness sake people take notice and stand up and be counted. We saved Low Isles, now lets do the same for St Mary's By The Sea.

Kristy , 08-04-11 03:27:

Port Douglas is a place that has it's own unique charater and feel about it. A lagoon is not going to bring you thousands of tourist, maybe yes a place for the locals to take there children as everyone mentions. But the one beautiful thing you have in your town to be proud of is St Mary's and some people think moving it for a lagoon will better the town for tourist you couldn't be more wrong. People come to Port Douglas because it is unique don't turn it into another Cairns, Airlie, Townsville etc

Toni , 06-04-11 16:35:

I agree with all of the above. Stay with the plan the town helped to design, put the pool next to the SLC to join beach and pool activities, it is the cheapest quickest option. Leave the Church in peace to continue serving us so well, emotionally and financially and create the wide open relaxed Waterfront Park available for all manner of indidual, spontaneous or organised recreation. It won't be like those other waterfronts that are often mentioned, but then PD isn't like those other places, is it?

Stephen Warden, 06-04-11 11:51:

We need a Lagoon and we needed it yesterday. All this debate whilst the town dies, 40 or so empty shops at last count. At this rate all we will have is locals to swim in anything that may be approved. Having it located at the St Marys end is the way to go. If noise is a factor a buffer zone should be erected around the church but it is mainly only business houses in that area.

Cheryl Wellham, 06-04-11 05:03:

Correct me if I am wromg...but, I thought there were four proposals to the siting of the lagoon pool. First at Rex Smeal Park, second partly filling in the cove at the Sugar Wharf (dreadful), third near the Life Saving Club and fourth where it has now been proposed by the consultantas as the preferred option. And "preferred" is debatable. As from what I gathered, that fourth option had been voted by residents as the least most popular spot, and was only chosen by the consultants. As a rate payer of 20 years, it seems that residents' opinions don't count for much in this town. Remember the controversial shenanigans of the new Police Station? Looks like we're going down the same path. And as for St Mary's.. I fully support that it stays
where it is. Lets look at re siting the pool.

Julianne , 06-04-11 04:46:

I got married at St Marys 5 years ago (thanks to the excellent planning provided by Danielle!) and I am horrified to think that the tranquility of this gorgeous tourist attraction will be compromised by the lagoon! Dont get me wrong - I think the lagoon is a great idea ... BUT NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CHURCH! St Mary's is known world-wide (I know, because I've met people all over the world who refer to it!) Val ... from someone who actually voted for you, PLEASE don't be stubborn on this one! The sensible thing to do is to duplicate Cairns and have the lagoon on the esplanade! Port Douglas depends on tourism, and you are jeopardising the huge wedding tourism sector through suggesting this ludicrous location! The beach end of Port needs a bit of a jump start, and this would be an excellent way to do it!

Julianne , 05-04-11 22:35:

chantel pointon, 05-04-11 20:10:

We are getting married at St marys at the end of next year and i can tell you right now we wont be if these plans go ahead. we fell in love with the church and its stunning location years ago which is why we are travelling from Adelaide with our family to get married there. This has to be one of the worst ideas i have heard of - i thought only our council make ridiculous decisions - i hope these plans dont go ahead or St marys is going to be just a regular church!

Tony Wakefield, 02-04-11 16:54:

One other thing I forgot. By the church to me seems a major safety issue. With fast moving deep water of the inlet adjacent, the pool would need to be fenced! If we are to duplicate the Cairns experience then the Lagoon needs to be 'Open Plan'.

Tony Wakefield, 02-04-11 16:48:

Definitely not near to the church. A lack of parking in the area. Will conflict with the Sunday market. Maybe a hidden agenda to move the market. I automatically thought it would be located near to Surf Life Saving so they can service both sea and Pool. The north end of beach seems so logical.
Visitor and Local Port Ratepayer.

Danielle Piat, 02-04-11 09:05:

I also agree that the lagoon/pool should go near the Surf Life Saving Club - makes perfect sense as a lot of the infrastructure is already there - bathrooms/showers/life guards and nippers/life savers can train. Where did the new location come from - this was never an option - as far as I was aware the two options were Rex Smeal Park or the Surf Club. Seems to me there is some entity pulling strings higher up with possible alterior motives? To place the lagoon near the church is in complete disrespect for a church that has been there for 25 years - it will take a year or more to construct this lagoon - a serious noise problem for all the weddings, funerals, christenings and church services that are held there every day of the week. And once completed there will still be noise disrupting very important services. A few people have said "move the church" - well if it comes down to that - that the lagoon construction will go ahead next to the church then I think that is very sad........for 25 years the church has brought in around 200 weddings a year - all those weddings bring in people that go on tours, shop, eat out, stay in accommodation - I do not think people realise how much business the church generates for Port Douglas. I would hate to see the church removed from her present location...but if she is put on the back of a truck, and even survives the move - where does she go? It has been suggested out of the shire - some place quiet and peaceful.

Barbara Dippenaar, 02-04-11 09:00:

I agree with Marco. As well as visiting the reef and rain forest, people visit Port Douglas to enjoy our beautiful beach. Wouldn't it be logical to provide an all year round swimming area on the beach for everyone, complete with lifeguards? Tourists, especially the ones visiting from overseas want to spend time on the beach. I have had numerous European tourists say to me that it is a shame that they are unable to enjoy the beach during the summer months, as the swimming enclosure is too restrictive, and despite the net, the enclosure still doesn't provide a 100% safe place to swim especially for children. Unlike Cairns, we have a beautiful beach in Port Douglas, so let's utilize this.

Amie Thompson, 01-04-11 12:41:

I'm getting married in May at St. Mary's By The Sea, and I probably wouldn't be too impressed if i was trying to say my vows and all everyone could hear was people around the lagoon. However, I am ALL for the lagoon I think it will be fantastic, but should be near the Surf Life Saving Club.

Treveen Page, 01-04-11 12:06:

There were 2 sites for the Lagoon, Behind the Surf Club or close to Rex Smeal Park, who on earth came up with the ludicrous idea of putting it next to the church and a toilet block,this project should now be held off until the State Election is held, whereby Douglas will get it's shire back (Under a coalition goverment) and proper community consultation will then occur.

jason , 01-04-11 11:19:

I endorse Marco's view. When it is obvious that Douglas will soon again be it's own local government entity why should Cairns Regional Council have the right to ignore local preferences ? It's obvious that CRC planners are locating the swimming lagoon at Dixon's Inlet to boost viability of the long term Waterfront projects.

The swimming lagoon must be a separate and independent project from the broader Waterfront masterplan. Get it done in the right place, adjacent to Four Mile Beach, or shelve it until we have local self determination.

Marco , 01-04-11 09:19:

The lagoon should be near the lifesaving club. During stinger season, a walk or jog on the beach can be followed by a safe swim, kids can play on the beach then swim in the lagoon, lifesavers can provide the lifeguard perhaps, nippers can use the lagoon during stinger season. Outside of stinger season, the above still works. It would be a mistake to put the lagoon anywhere else - temporary residents and councilors shouldn't influence this, long-term rate payers should.

Hugh Batters, 31-03-11 16:59:

As a Victorian who owns a house at Oak Beach my thoughts may be discounted but here goes: Exactly how many meters away is the lagoon from the church? (Sorry,but I cannot tell from the aerial view).
The idea that a church is non-denominational is very appealing and I am sure that no wedding would be disrupted too much by the sounds of children enjoying themselves in the distance. The matter of funerals is another thing entirely. It seems the location of the lagoon is appropriate in enlivening a quiet spot in PD that could do with some promotion to develop it further so have noise tests been carried out to check the db levels and the lessening impact of some form of baffle?