tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878592054777492431.post9201339930707076320..comments2024-01-20T10:32:53.309+10:00Comments on CairnsBlog.net: Notes on Port Douglas rallyMichael P Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890121680113642715noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878592054777492431.post-38696272244874853492007-08-07T13:17:00.000+10:002007-08-07T13:17:00.000+10:00Development?? I must confess, as a fourth generat...Development?? I must confess, as a fourth generation born Far North Queenslander who can remember Port Douglas when it was a fishing village with fibro cottages, one street and an empty beach, it really cracked me up when I heard from Port Douglas people say that amalgamation would see "development go mad in the Shire."<BR/>OH HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. HAHAHAHAHAHA.<BR/>Why is development going mad anyway?? Anyone ever heard of "negative gearing" and "capital gains" taxes?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878592054777492431.post-68781609304285235492007-08-06T22:30:00.000+10:002007-08-06T22:30:00.000+10:00A well thought-out and equally well presented argu...A well thought-out and equally well presented argument, congratulations Michael. Some other points you and others might like to consider. <BR/>Amalgamation is inevitable and irreversible, save a class action taking place that is.<BR/>The incumbent for Cairns, Kevin Byrnes has stated “he’s up for the challenge”? He has not stated that he will, in any way, shape or form arrest from his current “Developer’s Rule” attitude. He has in all his time in the job NOT done anything of substance to help protect or ensure the sustainability of the environment. (Sorry, Council have just handed out some 5000 butt shaped cigarette receptacles) <BR/>Cairns City Council’s Local law 24 Vegetation Protection is a farce and protects nothing, while Port Douglas Council’s Vegetation Protection Law is one of the better examples to be found throughout the state and is well enforced. <BR/>Cairns City Council will ignore EPA recommendations or State guidelines and develop within 1 metre of a creek or tributary to a creek and if the developer asks $ they will convert these creeks and waterways into drainage easements. Douglas Shire ensures waterways are protected and not encroached upon.<BR/>Cairns City Council does not have foreshore building lines along some of the Northern Beaches, thus allowing development to take place in Erosion Protection Zones even going so far as to allow an exclusive beachfront development to the northern end of Clifton beach. This development has destroyed many old growth trees, carved roads through wetlands and destroyed creek banks and interfered with essential habitats. Yet Cairns City Council and Local Councillor for the area consider they’ve done nothing wrong and see this style of development as “NORMAL”<BR/>Tourists are drawn here by the areas natural, untouched beauty. With that in mind, picture a group of developer strolling through Newell Beach the Daintree or Cape Tribulation with Kevin Byrnes in their pocket, they’d be like a bunch of kids in a candy store, uncontrollable!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com