NEWS
Friday August 20, 2021
Cairns Local News
BRIEFS
|3
PORT DOUGLAS
HAVE YOUR SAY
PETER MCCULLAGH
TOURISTS to Port Douglas will soon have a few extra choices, up to 150 in fact when they decide to travel around the village. Multinational electric scooter and ride share company Beam plans to expand its operations into the bustling North Queensland market with the annoucement they will launch into Port Douglas with up to 150 e-scooters later this month. The announcement was well received and applauded by Tourism Port Douglas Daintree CEO, Tara Bennett. “The introduction of e-scooters to Port Douglas will provide a welcome option for visitors to travel around the village in a sustainable manner, well-aligned with our region’s eco destination focus.” Beam already operates their e-scooter service in Brisbane Adelaide, Canberra and Townsville.
Beam General Manager (ANZ) Tom Cooper feels confident the tourists and locals will welcome the Beam experience. “We’re thrilled to be commencing e-scooter operations
in Port Douglas later this month, with an Australian first, tourism-led approach involving partnerships with tourism operators. “We’re looking forward to making e-mobility a part of the Port Douglas visitor expe-
rience and show how e-scooters can be a part of a region’s tourism offering. “E-scooters are a great way to explore any town, city or region in a fun way. It’s not just a really fun form of transport, but
a way of seeing more, and engaging with local communities. Beam has partnered with resorts and hotels to allow access to Beam’s e-scooter fleet, providing affordable and eco-friendly transport for visitors and locals alike.
Beam’s service will feature affordable pay-as-you-go rates and subscriptions for regular users. The service will appeal to locals, tourists, and families alike, with a minimum riding age of 16 years, or 12-plus with a parent or guardian. Every ride will be covered by Beam’s personal accident insurance. Beam’s e-scooters will be available to hire from selected partner locations, including Niramaya Villas & Spa and Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas. “The e-scooters will be an excellent option for Niramaya guests to travel in and out of the town centre - an ideal way for guests to experience the town without the need to hire a car,” said Chris Benson, Saltwater Properties Managing Director. The distinctive purple scooters will soon become a familiar feature and add a sense of innovation, convenience and increased character to this bustling tourism village.
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age more visitors to enjoy our wonderful area.” “We believe locals will love it, and it also has potential to be a landmark piece of tourism infrastructure to draw in more domestic travellers.” The playground would be built under the shade of the existing fig tree, ensuring the site makes the most of the space already there and blends in with the iconic park. It would feature an enchanted forest where children will discover larger than life creatures such as dragon flies, butterflies and cicadas; hidden tunnels and a lookout atop the larger than life green ant’s nest
We want to get feedback on this exciting concept which features rope bridges, plenty of climbing
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Beam me up Dougie
A NEW playground could bring a bite to the fig tree at Rex Smeal Park, in Port Douglas. Douglas Shire Council has released concept designs of a new Green Ant adventure play space for public consultation. Council officers have worked with Landplan director Simon Maher – the man behind the popular Centenary Lakes Nature Play and Fig Tree Adventure Playground in Cairns. The playground would be built entirely in the area under the fig tree, making full use of the shade this magnificent tree provides. Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said Council want-
ed to build a special playground that would attract families from neighbouring regions to Port Douglas. “We want to get feedback on this exciting concept which features rope bridges, plenty of climbing and slides to keep the children entertained for hours,” he said. “We don’t want just any playground at Rex Smeal Park, we want something eye-catching that celebrates our region, and anyone who has spent time in Far North Queensland knows about green ants. “Like children, green ants love climbing so we feel paying homage to this iconic ant is a creative way to encour-
five-metres in the air. The design incorporates something for a wide age group from toddlers through to tweenagers, and adults who are young at heart. More information and images may be found on Council’s website: www.douglas.qld.gov.au Council has allocated funding to complete detailed design and technical specifications. With a shovel ready project, Council will be seeking grant funding for capital costs to build the facility. Feedback from residents is requested by August 27, (next Friday).
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