A COMMUNITY leader has blasted “apathetic” ratepayers for failing to hold Douglas Shire Council to account.
In his annual report, Douglas Shire Ratepayers Association president John Sullivan (right) said “I believe 2024/25 has been another year of apathy by the ratepayers and residents of Douglas Shire”.
He said there were a lack of members supporting the association and just a few keeping the organisation going.
“Two years on from our council elections, I believe we still lack the vision and leadership to provide the ratepayers of Douglas Shire with a strong sense of direction,” Mr Sullivan said.
“Agriculture has no clear future. Many roads and drainage projects are still under repair from the rain events post-Cyclone Jasper,” he said.
“The second water intake on the Mossman River still hasn’t started with the contract to be let in early 2026.
“Adding insult to injury, council voted an 8.5% rate rise in its latest budget.
“This delivers a 29% increase of rates to many in the Shire since January 2021, which happened seemingly without any strong justification or any outcry from the public.
“Council has finally delivered the water park project in Port Douglas, a resilience strategy roll-out (while many continue to fear being flooded as no urgent flood mitigation works have been fast tracked) and progress on a larger Daintree ferry in the past year.”
Mr Sullivan said the smart water meter roll out had benefitted single dwelling ratepayers, but not body corporates.
He said the Mossman transition committee appeared to be missing in action with farmers only being consulted and no involvement from the broader community and ratepayers, while the north of the Daintree audit had also gone quiet.
Mr Sullivan said the Shire’s town planning zones review should be the subject of the greatest impact and leadership by council.
“Is our town plan still viable after the collapse of the sugar mill and a transition to new agricultural pursuits?,” he said.
“Does our town plan still reflect the views of the ratepayers and residents of the Douglas Shire, where environment, tourism, agriculture and infrastructure are concerned? To date, council has not called for public input on any of these issues.”
Mr Sullivan said there appeared to be no plans for a dog-off leash park in Port Douglas and the paved footpaths outside the Portico shops and on Flagstaff Hill were “dangerous”.
“We need to hold our council responsible for delivering a healthy and viable community,” he said.
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