General News
3 April, 2025
Water at top of agenda
A MULTI-million dollar expansion of a key Port Douglas reservoir is being considered by the major political parties in the lead-up to this year’s federal election.
Douglas Shire Council wants to build a new 10 million litre tank, increasing the Crees Road site’s capacity at Craiglie to 30 million litres.
LNP’s Leichhardt candidate Jeremy Neal said he had already held talks about the project with the council.
“They essentially had to turn their water off during the Jasper period at Port Douglas,” Mr Neal told Seven News.
“When they (Douglas Shire Council) came to me and asked for a $6.6m commitment I was very supportive and I am working hard on it to get it through.”
Labor candidate Matt Smith also told Seven News “I will advocate for anything that is important to the region and I will have further discussions with Douglas Shire about what this is going to look like”.
Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said the project was essential to boosting the region’s resilience during natural disasters.
“We are, every day, working on water security for the shire,” she told the TV network.
“The extra water will be a bonus for Port Douglas because when we had Cyclone Jasper water was a big issue.”
“This essential project will improve our resilience during natural disasters and enable opportunities for both residential and no-residential development,” Cr Scomazzon said.
“The project will also create additional jobs during construction,” she said.
Residents are encouraged to contact Mr Neal and Mr Smith if water security, and the Crees Road expansion, is an important issue for them in the lead-up to the election.
The council is continuing its advocacy for the water security upgrade and its disaster coordination, community recovery and resilience centre, negotiating with local members and other candidates in the lead-up to the federal election.
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