Monday 28 February 2011

Money commits State to lagoon

: Premier Bligh believes the lagoon pool will be a major attraction in Port Douglas. (Above) The Airlie Beach lagoon. Photo by travelpod.com. (Below) the familiar sculptures in the Cairns lagoon.

by Mat Churchill

Tourism Port Douglas Daintree executive officer, Doug Ryan believes that construction of the Port Douglas lagoon pool could commence within a year after Premier Bligh's announcement of $30,000 in funding, made while she was in town yesterday.

Mr Ryan said that, regardless of the amount, the money ties the Government to the long-awaited, and hotly debated project.

"The $30,000 isn't a significant amount of money. . .but what it does do it shows a commitment by the State Government. They've got massive expenditure around the State at the moment with everything that's going on.

"I think this is just a token to show they are in support of the development and that in the future once they get the planning finished then Council can then make applications to the State and Federal Government for funding, that the State Government will look at it favourably because they've already committed to support it," he said.

"Talking to the Premier when we were talking about this particular project with her she was very keen that this money be used to speed up the process and perhaps start getting the process of Federal Government approvals through.

"Realistically, I believe they could certainly be turning the first sods of dirt within 12 months. Certainly by the end of this year I would like to think there is something moving forward.

"I don't think it's unachievable, it's a matter of fast tracking it. Now we've got the State support I'm quite sure there's a lot of things they'll be able to put through fairly quickly."

Mr Ryan spoke highly of the Premier after an arduous few weeks visiting disaster affected areas.

"Her approach to us and her comments and the way she listens. . .I think is excellent, and she does listen. And she does hear when people are suffering and she understands our region is really suffering."

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Angela Wilcox, 10-03-11 09:49:

Whole Hartedly agree with Doug Ryan, its the fact a commitment precedence is already in place, that the funding should happen. The Lagoon Pool is needed... how many times have you had Guests bemoan the fact that they can't swim in the sea due to stingers.

Paying for the Lgoon Pool on a user pays system would be achievable, so put in a turn-style with a nominal fee to enter, include a Kiosk and a percentage of sales goes toward the Lagoon, Coin Operated Lockers, Vending Machines, Towel Hire... the list goes on.

Bale has just closed, who will be next ?

How many calls have you had this week asking if your resort is still there or if you are flooded out ? I'd be up to about 3rd or 4th division in the lotto if I had a $1 for each call I've had this month and its only the 10th March.

Need to get the message out a whole lot better, some how, that we are still alive and breathing up here. If not more resorts will be closing for financial reasons, just like Bale. I'm sure no-one wants that.

Instead of banging on about the negative, get positive info out instead, and get our Guests back and even better, get them to keep coming back. Community Effort is what we need People or we might as well close the doors on Port and give up.

Think Positive and find some solutions, see what can be done and then we will All Win - Yes ?

Helen Gabour, 04-03-11 11:35:

I personally do not want to see a lagoon pool just like Airlie Beach or Cairns. I don't want to BE anything like Airlie Beach or Cairns. We have the most beautiful, spectacular waterfront as it is. Frankly, I found Anna's $30,000 offer insulting and unnecessary. All resorts have swimming pools and if young families want to socialise, what is wrong with Four Mile Beach? We should stay small and quaint, and we can do this as we are naturally geographically isolated. And as for Thailand - they have recently closed 18 dive sites due to pollution and over-use. I visited 'The Beach' at Koh Phi Phi last year and it was disgusting - 2,000 people all at one time on 50 odd speed boats jammed in so tight. The water was foul. DON'T MESS WITH THE PARADISE WE HAVE.

Sam Cullen , 04-03-11 10:31:

We need to look after the people we do have. Great comment Alex! This should be the mission statement for Port Douglas. We need funding dedicated to this. We spend a lot of money on marketing and none on looking after our guests when they arrive. Allocate some of the funding to ensuring the experience meets the expectation. The results will be exponential. We call it Stage 2 Tourism or EXP2 and we have plenty ideas to achieve this if anyone wants to support this project or find out more!

alex mateer, 03-03-11 16:14:

I agree with Toni - we don't need a lagoon pool and to think its going to bring more visitors is just grasping at straws. Our biggest strength is word of mouth and the repeat business from happy visitors. They tell their friends, their kids get married here, their brother comes to visit etc etc. We need to look after the people we do have, and not destroy our wonderful natural environment with over development - that's what stops our loyal visitors from coming back. A lagoon pool is great for a town that over looks mud flats - we have a beautiful vista and beach - why wreck it???

Toni Bennett, 02-03-11 13:20:

We have just experienced a GFC because people have been living beyond their means, are we ignoring this important lesson again ? The construction of a lagoon pool in Port Douglas is an example of living beyond our means. Cairns has a population of 120,000 plus people and the council are still in debt paying off the lagoon pool. We have 4000 people in Port Douglas who will be paying for a lagoon pool via rate increases for many years to come. I might move to Thailand like many recent ex- Port Douglas residence where I will get some value for my money.

Scott , 02-03-11 11:00:

Maybe a couple of park benches...
So when this lagoon goes in do we all get to pay more in rates to cover the costs of the maintenance and upkeep. Just what we need.
How about they put the 30 g to something useful somewhere else in QLD where we need it at the moment...

Jill Dixon, 01-03-11 22:50:

At least it is something. Lets get the job done quickly to help our beautiful town which needs our help.

bob harper, 01-03-11 17:23:

$30,000 that'll pay for the tiles for one toilet. Don't know about adhesive and fixing.