Douglas Mayor welcomes Regional Parliament

REGIONAL Parliament returned to Cairns last month for the first time in 15 years.

Politicians from across Queensland converged on the Cairns Convention Centre for a three-day (May 9-11) sitting of parliament, with youth crime, water security and tourism on the agenda.

An evening-session of Question Time was held to give more local residents an opportunity to attend and witness democracy in action.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said the regional sitting was a positive exercise which kept the Douglas Shire on the Palaszczuk Government’s radar.

“I would like to thank the Queensland Government organising for the latest regional sitting of parliament to be held in Cairns,” Cr Kerr said.

“It is the ideal opportunity for politicians to get out from behind their desks and learn more about the issues impacting on Far North Queensland.

“It gave local businesses, tourism operators and our residents rare, face-to-face access to elected members.

Wharf Street.

“We want to provide the necessary infrastructure that sets the standard of Port Douglas/Douglas Shire as a world class, Eco Certified sustainable tourism destination, one that works to protect and preserve the natural habitat and animals that it depends upon,” Cr Kerr said.

Other tourism destinations, tour operators, as well as cafes and events are being encouraged to help build and use the Water Bottle Refill Network of Douglas Shire. For more information, visit www.plasticfreecairns.org/watermap including how to join the map and set up a water refill station.

Council will be improving its website and tools to encourage more refill stations to be provided to support plastic free events in the region.