“I voted for Julia Leu for Mayor knowing I could totally trust Julia to make well considered, moral, ethical and environmentally sound decisions about Douglas Shire on my behalf. Julia has exceeded my expectations and I would not consider voting for anyone else in the coming elections.”
Dr Doug Quarry
Douglas Shire Council has never been in better financial shape.
Financial Security and Management.
In 2014, I promised to reduce a $5.2 million deficit, and to implement a Five Year Plan to bring the Shire back in to surplus, with a modern and professional Council.
Under my leadership, Council has exceeded all predictions, with an excellent financial record, confirmed by both internal and external auditors, and the Queensland Audit Office.
We have delivered reasonable rates and charges, increased maintenance and record capital works, roads, bridges, water and sewerage infrastructure, and greater community services in arts, events, sports and recreation.
If you compare us with similar Shires, our Council is in a superior financial position because we have balanced budgets, a budgeted surplus and no debt.
“Julia and her team have done a sterling job in the past four years keeping on top of the many and varied issues that all Councils have to deal with. It is heartening to know that our dedicated Councillors and their team are always just one phone call away to assist with any issues that residents may have. Good luck to Julia-we look forward to seeing her happy and smiling face for another four years.”
— Vicki Kurth, Wedding Planner, Port Douglas
Record Capital Works.
Since 2014, we have delivered over $136 million in infrastructure improvements:
New 20 megalitre Port Douglas water reservoir
Flagstaff Hill walking track - initiated an investigation, and subsequent design, in the 2015 Budget
Decorative lights in Macrossan Street, as well as Christmas trees for Macrossan Street and Front Street
Mossman Pool upgrades
Pump tracks in both Mossman and Port Douglas
Four Mile Esplanade improvements, including disability access ramp
New playgrounds, toilets and picnic shelters
Outdoor fitness stations
Flagstaff Hill lookout upgrade
Water and sewerage upgrades
Grants.
I am very proud of my ability to generate funding at both the State and Federal level.
Projects for which we have attracted funding include:
Mossman Mill
Wangetti Trail
Kubirri Mossman Aged Care Residential Facility
Advocacy.
Wangetti Trail - $40 million
Mossman Mill – $45 million
Kubirri Mossman Aged Care Residential Facility - Council support in land, business plan, waived infrastructure fees, and applied for a State grant
I appealed directly to the Premier for $300,000 for Paws & Claws
“I believe that our Mayor Julia Leu is the hardest working and highest achieving local government representative in the state of Queensland.”
— Des Rolfe, Cooya Beach
Agriculture.
I assisted the cane growers and successfully advocated with Far North Milling Pty Ltd for $45 million to save the Mossman Mill
I appealed directly to the Prime Minister, the Premier, and local Members
“We support and thank Julia Leu for her ongoing dedication and initiatives to support eco-tourism and agriculture in the Douglas Shire.”
— Gerard Puglisi, Sweet Farm Tours
Tourism and Economic Development.
Along with Tourism Port Douglas Daintree, I am incredibly proud that Douglas Shire was awarded the world’s first Ecotourism Australia’s ECO Destination Certification in December 2019.
We are also recognised as one of the Global Top 100 Sustainable Destinations for 2018, 2019 and 2020
The Ecotourism Australia certification has given the region a big green tick of approval. Our vision is to become the world’s leading tropical visitor destination by delivering world-class sustainable tourism experiences. The Ecotourism Australia certification, through its rigorous auditing process, gives us credibility, setting Douglas Shire and its unique natural experiences apart from everywhere else. By focusing on sustainable interactions with nature, I want to conserve our pristine environment for our tourism industry and for generations to enjoy.
Partnered with Tourism Port Douglas Daintree’s incentive program to educate operators on eco-certification and to stimulate greater participation in the accreditation process
Strong support for business, tourism, events, and the highly successful Port Douglas Carnivale festival
Supported and advocated for Port Shorts Film Festival
Supported the community New Years Eve Festival fireworks
Business and Industry.
While approving development applications in 2019, Douglas Shire Council has maintained a balance between the environment, agriculture and scenic beauty
All developments and projects that complied with the Douglas Shire Planning Scheme were approved in 2019
A record number of local businesses were employed as contractors for maintenance and capital works projects by Douglas Shire Council since de-amalgamation
Established the Economic Strategic Review Committee with the purpose of fostering sustainable economic growth
Douglas Shire Council Industry Development Grant Program
“Mayor Julia Leu is an intelligent leader and a widely-respected ambassador for our well-managed Douglas Shire.”
— Pam Willis Burden
Events.
Highly successful Port Douglas Carnivale
Port Shorts Film Festival
Hot & Steamy Festival
Active8 Free Fitness Active Programs
Triple-R Adventure Race
New Years Eve Festival fireworks
Australia Day Ceremony & Breakfast
ANZAC Day Ceremonies in Port Douglas, Mossman and Cow Bay
Support for other Community Events including NAIDOC Day March, Great Barrier Reef Marathon
Environment.
By focusing on sustainable interactions with nature, I want to conserve our pristine environment for our tourism industry and for future generations to enjoy.
Douglas Shire Council is the first Queensland Council to complete the Resilient Coast Strategic Plan, under the QCoast2100 Program, which considered the impacts of climate change on coastal communities
Waste and recycling
Creation of the Plastic Free Douglas initiative promoting a reduction in plastic pollution and littering
Removed 13 wrecks from Dickson Inlet
Glyphosate Reduction Strategy, including weed management using steam weeding, and reduce reliance on toxic herbicides and pesticides
Carbon Neutral Strategy - purchased 376 hectares of land to restore rainforest for critical habitat regeneration, underpinning efforts to reduce Council’s carbon emissions
Weed and Pest eradication programs
Dog management
“Julia is the right person for Mayor as she manages to strike the right balance between her passion for the environment and suitable developments within the Shire.”
— Laurene Hull
“Julia has, and will continue to do a great job for our Shire. She knows that protecting the Shire from inappropriate over-development helps keep our beautiful scenic amenity and safeguards our agricultural land.”
— Ian Locke, Port Douglas
Community.
Douglas Shire Community Grants Program
Douglas Shire Council has continued to expand the extremely popular free Active8 fitness programs
Mossman Pool improvements
New cricket shed for the Douglas Muddies
Douglas Garden Awards with ABC's Gardening Australia host Costa Georgiadis
CCTV security cameras for Mossman
Restoration and re-installation of historic Flagstaff on Flagstaff Hill
Installation of petanque court at the Port Douglas Community Hall providing a greater capacity to host tournaments and bring more people into Port Douglas
Portable water re-filling stations and drinking fountains to reduce single use plastics and urge event goers to reuse their water bottles.
“I fully support Julia Leu as Mayoral candidate as she has done such a wonderful job in the last two terms. Julia was always available to attend different meetings I attended and she was invited to. Julia is always ready to listen.”
— John Anich
Indigenous Issues.
Indigenous Language Signage Program – more indigenous signs across the Shire
Indigenous enterprise and tourism
Support for arts and cultural activities
Christmas banner project
“Julia has been consistently strong and passionate in her support for local indigenous initiatives and issues.”
— Veronica Blanco, Cooya Beach
Arts and Culture.
Improve amenity with public art programs
Support biennial Call of the Running Tide art exhibition
Continued support for Regional Arts Development Fund
Port Shorts Film Festival
Public art murals at Bill Reese Rotary Park, Mossman and ceramic tiles at Market Park toilets, Port Douglas
Support Douglas Arts Base
“Julia has given many years of discerning leadership and unwavering support to Aged Care which is now a reality. I will vote for Mayor Julia.”
— Shirley Vico
