Road to shut for cyclists

CHRIS CALCINO

The annual triathlon last year featured a 3.8km swim at Palm Cove with a 180km coastal bike leg ending at Port Douglas and a 42.2km run.

It attracted record entries with organisers closing registrations at 3500 with a 20 per cent jump in international competitors compared to the previous year.

Lake Morris Rd was closed for 2016’s Mount Franklin Cardiac Challenge, but Copperlode Fish and Kayak operator Kim Anderson warned any early morning closures would impede his business if not carefully managed.

“I don’t object to the (race) day – we’ll wear that one – but I absolutely object to the practice runs unless they are cut off by 8am,” he said.

“I need to be open at about 8.30am and finish at around 12.30pm. All our marketing is set up to start operating at 8.30am, and that’s going to be a bloody headache if we have to change it.”

The proposal is to reopen the road to general traffic at 8am to avoid such headaches.

“Potential impacts on other road users and businesses will be included in the report back to council,” a council spokeswoman said.

Mr Anderson’s business has been growing since opening a year and a half ago after Copperlode Dam was opened to recreational use. He wants to maintain that momentum.

“The numbers are in the kayaks and paddle boarding. We can have 30 people up there for our morning sessions,” he said.