Community Engagement

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Douglas Shire Council Community Engagement Strategy was conducted in February and March 2007 which gave the community the opportunity to contribute to the strategic direction of Council and the services it provides in the Douglas Shire.

The 2007 Community Engagement Outcomes, Jim Cavaye, Cavaye Community Development, 2007 is now available to be downloaded. See below.

If you are unable to download this document, there are copies available at the Douglas Shire Library or you can purchase a black and white copy from Douglas Shire Council Chambers for $5.

The 2007 Community Engagement Outcomes represents an honest representation of the outcomes of the Community Engagement Strategy process. The purpose of it is to assist providing direction to the Council in its future Corporate Planning, long term Operational Plans and Budgets. The document does not represent a commitment by Council to undertake works and services identified or a commitment to the priorities identified. The Council will, however, commit to attempting to respond to the outcomes of the engagement process to the extent resources permit.

There were a number of "to be completed within 6 months" actions identified. A number of these items have already been actioned, and recently at the 2007/2008 budget review process a further set of actions have been committed to by Council to be completed. Please see below for some examples of these actions:

Recommended Action within the next 6 months	Outcome
Prepare an application to Blue Print for the Bush, Rural Service Access Initiative for a Douglas Shire Bus Service	Douglas Shire Council committed $150,000 towards this project and developed a Transport Working Group. An application was prepared in March, advised in August that we were unsuccessful
Conduct a Douglas Shire Community Access Audit	Approved in budget 2007/2008
Develop a Community Access Plan	Approved in budget 2007/2008
Develop a Daintree Coast Community Centre	Douglas Shire Council has committed $675,000 towards this project. A brief was submitted to FNQ Area Consultative Committee which has been endorsed by their Management Committee. An application is currently being prepared to Regional Partnership Program seeking $450,000 towards the project.
Provide playground equipment for children of all abilities in the shire	Douglas Shire Council has committed $50,000 towards this project, and has applied to Disabilities Services Queensland for an All Abilities Playground at George Davis Park in Mossman. Advise of success will be granted in September 2007.
Disseminate the Community Services Directory widely in the shire	Please refer to Douglas Shire Council website as above for the Community Directory
Implement 40km zone at St Augustine's School Grogan St and consider upgrading of the road	Reconstruction of Grogan Street
Toilets to be installed in Port Douglas	Two sets of toilets being installed - Rotary and Hutchings Parks
Incorporate marina infrastructure issues into the engagement process on the Port Douglas waterfront	Port Douglas Inlet Waterfront Strategy
Improve the road crossing at the northern end of Mossman	Community consultation being conducted
Remark faded lines of all roads	In progress where required
Consideration of commencement construction of the extension to the walking paths from DSMPHS to the Gorge community	Community consultation to be conducted
Begin construction of at least one walking path	Link between Buchanan Creek Rd and Alexandra Bay State School
Install a sign to slow traffic near the speed bump to the Gorge	Community consultation to be conducted

Following the State government decision for Douglas Shire Council to amalgamate with Cairns City Council, the 2007 Community Engagement Outcomes is critical in assisting Douglas Shire Council to complete the Douglas Shire Council Corporate Plan 2007-2012 before March 2008, to ensure that the current needs and aspirations of the Douglas Shire are identified and honoured as far as possible by the Cairns Regional Council.

The final phase of the Community Engagement Strategy is the development of a Community Engagement Policy to guide Douglas Shire Council operations. This is currently being developed by consultant Dr Jim Cavaye.

Should you require any further information in relation to this matter, please do not hesitate to contact Kelly Favas, Acting Manager Community, Cultural and Economic on telephone (07) 4099 9411.

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Community Engagement Outcomes

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