The Douglas region has been well represented in the Tropical Innovation Awards, with four entrants in the Tropical innovation, and Eco Innovation categories.

The search for the far north’s brightest ideas and inventions has attracted 46 entries from businesses and individuals across the region .

The awards aim to reveal, recognise and reward local talent through a competition to discover the best and most innovative ideas across Tropical North Queensland.

Mark Dawson from Rossville has devised a low pressure water-powered water pump dubbed "DINGO*" which Mr Dawson says is aimed at supplying water in third world countries, isolated regions or in environmentally sensitive areas.

"I've worked on the design for quite a while and patented it in 2000," he said. "The DINGO* allows water to be pumped to villages, dams, tanks, and livestock without any fuels, oil, noise or greenhouse gas emissions.

"The pump uses the weight and force of water piped downhill to compress air and then in turn pump water to greater heights," Mr Dawson said.

See You Tube video's of the DINGO*

He said that interest in his pump has been strong in PNG, and two of his pumps are even servicing toilet facilities in National Parks near Cardwell.

Philip Muirhead from Mount Molloy has entered his 'Wide Waste' system into the Awards in a bid to draw publicity to his product, and work with a manufacturer to produce it commercially.

"Wide Waste makes the fitting of shower trays, baths or spas more cost effective because you use less components and it saves times," he said. Mr Muirhead said his product would be ideal for plumbers, builders and renovators.

A familiar face in the local tourism industry has also entered the Awards in the Eco Innovation category. David White, owner and operator of Solar Whisper with its innovative 'Croc Cam' is a common site on the Daintree River.

Solar Whisper is a solar-electric powered tour boat and Croc Cam, a HD video camera connected to a LCD screen, allows Mr White to zoom in on difficult or well camouflaged wildlife like communal binoculars.

"The boat has no impact on the river, no emissions into water or air or guests lungs," said Mr White. "Most people have preconceived ideas in their head about what they are looking for but when they see it on the screen they can find it with their own eyes much more easily." 

Last but not least is Mossman's own innovator, Robert Baade who has entered his 'No Nag' product into the Tropical Innovation category.

The No Nag is a device that can be used to measure the amount of gas remaining in a gas bottle, or to measure moisture in pot plants. Unfortunately The Newsport was unable to reach Mr Baade for comment.

A three member adjudication panel will consider entries over the next two weeks , with the Tropical Innovation Awards presentation night being held on 5 November at the Cairns Convention Centre.

  Masters of Ceremonies for the gala evening will be Robyn Williams, ABC Radio Science Show presenter and Sally Dominguez, ABC TV Science Show judge.

“The adjudicators were chosen for their professional expertise in the area of industrial innovation, design and commercialisation. Their role is to weigh up each entry on criteria proving the viability of the product or idea in the market place,” Mayor Val Schier said.

The Newsport wishes all Douglas entrants the best of luck.