MEET MAYOR JULIA LEU

I am honoured to have called the beautiful Douglas Shire my home for the last 30 years. I live with my husband Andre, on a commercial organic fruit farm in Lower Daintree. I am a proud mum of two wonderful sons, Asha and Nick.

I grew up in Melbourne, and after graduating from Melbourne University, met Andre while backpacking in Northern Thailand. We fell in love and travelled together across Asia to Europe, before returning to Australia, a year later. Since then, we have been fortunate to have travelled throughout many exciting parts of the world.

I have worked extensively, first as a High School teacher, followed by senior management positions in the Federal Departments of Health, Housing and Community Services and Aboriginal Education. I have also enjoyed working in the hospitality industry, in restaurants and pubs, and of course, running our fruit farm.

My qualifications include a Masters in Business Administration from James Cook University, a Bachelor of Arts and Graduate Diploma in Education from Melbourne University, and a Graduate Diploma in Communication from New South Wales University of Technology.

In 1994, I established the first Community Services Department of Douglas Shire Council and was appointed acting Chief Executive Officer in 2007.

In March 2008, I was elected to the Cairns Regional Council as the Councillor for Division 10, covering the former Douglas Shire, Palm Cove and Clifton Beach. I was re-elected in April 2012.

De-amalgamation from Cairns Regional Council was successful, and in 2014, I was elected as the first Mayor for the newly established Douglas Shire Council, and again in 2016.

“I have worked for the Douglas Shire Council as Mayor for two terms since 2014. 

I am nominating for a third term in the March 2020 local elections.”

— Julia Leu

We know that tourism and business is facing a very tough time, and it just got a lot tougher in recent weeks with the impact of the bushfires and COVID-19. We must continue to work together with our tourism organisations, agricultural industries, business Chambers and all levels of government.

I have demonstrated my commitment to working closely with all sectors of the community and business. I have built strong and effective connections with all levels of government and use every opportunity to advocate for the Douglas Shire. 

We are the envy of many Shires in our ability to attract grants from both state and federal government.  A couple of examples include:

• $45 million to save the Mossman Mill and its transformation into a bio precinct.

• $40 million for the Wangetti Trail, which will be one of Australia’s leading adventure based ecotourism experiences

These projects mean new industries, greater opportunity and more people spending in our local businesses. I will continue to work hard to encourage and plan for these game-changing projects.

I am excited about the proposed Port Douglas Lagoon, Mossman Pool redevelopment, the recent land release for aged care accommodation in Mossman, and a second solar-powered Daintree Ferry.

I am passionate about the financial, economic, environmental and social sustainability of our magnificent Douglas region.  We have achieved this while State, national and global economies are struggling and the impacts of climate change are threatening our key assets: the reef, rainforest, agriculture and water supply.

My campaign for election is Mayor of Douglas Shire 2020 is entirely self-funded.

“Douglas Shire Council has never been in better financial shape. Under my leadership, Council has out-performed all predictions with a remarkable financial record, confirmed by internal and external auditors and the Queensland Audit Office. We are debt free, delivering reasonable rates, increased infrastructure maintenance, and record capital works.”

— Julia Leu

“We have focused on core local government service delivery, while at the same time strongly supporting both our tourism, agriculture industries. We have supported events such as Port Douglas Carnivale and Port Shorts Film Festival, the free Fitness Active8 program, pump tracks, parks and gardens upgrades, Mossman Pool upgrades, lights in Macrossan Street, and a second solar-powered Daintree Ferry. With Tourism Port Douglas Daintree, I was extremely proud that the Shire was awarded the world’s first Ecotourism Australia’s ECO Destination Certification in December 2019.”

— Julia Leu