Shire’s setbacks are not insurmountable

David Kempton Comment

Bryan Littlely

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Member for Cook David Kempton says he is in Douglas Shire on a weekly basis as he works to help overcome hurdles. Picture: Bryan Littlely

The Douglas Shire has faced its setbacks, but Cook MP David Kempton says he is committed to ensuring the Queensland Government is kept apprised of the situation and the needs for it to rebuild and is in the region on a weekly basis to do that.

“The Douglas Shire has suffered multiple setbacks in recent times with Covid, the Jasper floods and then the Mossman Mill closure,’’ Mr Kempton said.

“Whilst the impacts of Covid have largely passed, the loss and damage from Jasper will have repercussions for some time to come.

“One of the major economic impacts resulting from Jasper is the tourism industry which has experienced a downtown most likely initially as a result of the failure of the water supply and then the interruption to the highway access.’’

Mr Kempton pointed to the State Government extending the disaster relief grants to July this year to further assist the recovery effort, and bringing forward restoration works to the Cook Highway.

“There remains, however, significant damage throughout the Shire and in particular to the road network,’’ he said.

“The 2024 cane harvest went better than expected with cut cane transported to Mulgrave for milling and standing cane compensated.

“The LNP Government is extending the transport subsidy for the 2025 season to ensure the cane is again transported to Mulgrave for processing. In the meantime it appears the Mossman Mill will be sold in the near future and unlikely to reopen to process cane in the near future.’’

Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett has set up an advisory body to assist the government to place any ongoing support in a manner that provides the best possible outcome for the Douglas Shire region.

“The group will monitor the 2025 crop, investigate alternate crops, projects and ideas, assess water, transport and energy needs as well as infrastructure for agriculture, transport and tourism to ensure Douglas is not forgotten,’’ Mr Kempton said.

 

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