As we all know, it's often those with the loudest voices that get heard.

With so much talk about the prospect of deamalgamation from Cairns Regional Council, we thought it was time for residents who actually experienced life in the former Douglas Shire to impart their knowledge on those of us who moved to the area post March 2008.

What was the reality? Were services, communication, and planning strategies better or worse than what we have experienced under a Cairns Regional Council? What were the councilors like to deal with?

We want to take the emotion out of the discussion (which may be easier said than done) and hear from you so that, if a referendum is called, your experience may help other residents make an informed decision to return to a Douglas Shire, or remain under the Cairns Regional Council umbrella.

As always, we ask you to keep your comments respectful, and to recognise other people's right to comment.

Over to you. Give us your thoughts below.

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