Property owners on electoral roles outside the former Douglas Shire boundaries will not have a say in the referendum on de-amalgamation next March.

According the Boundaries Commissioner's office, only those on the Douglas electoral role will have an influence on the outcome.

It's a contentious issue with some investment property owners from outside the region saying that, as ratepayers, they should have their opinions heard.

"It's all very well to say that Douglas Region residents will be able to vote on de-amalgamation. But what about us non-resident rate payers?" wrote Michael Ochs of Moruya, NSW, on The Newsport article 'Douglas to vote on de-amalgamation' (Thursday 6 December 2012).

"We have invested in Port Douglas. We have put our money where our mouth is, only to find that, we don't have a say even in local government elections!

"What sort of democracy is it that people with an interest in the area are deliberately excluded, and as such, de-valued?

"My wife and I are not rich southern carpet-baggers. We took out a second mortgage to buy our piece of paradise. Don't exclude us simply because we don't, as yet, live there," he wrote.

The ruling is likely to assist lobby group Friends Of Douglas Shire in their campaign for de-amalgamation with investment property owners potentially more likely to focus on the financial impacts of a split with Cairns Regional Council.

Douglas ratepayers will foot the estimated $8.1 million bill should de-amalgmation be given the nod at the referendum, although it is possible those with investment properties may look to recoup their increased costs through increased rental prices.

Local Government Minister David Crisafulli confirmed with The Newsport that the State Government would not be contributing to the cost of a split.

“The State Government has made it perfectly clear that if a former shire wants to de-amalgamate they will pick up all of the costs," he said.

“Our preference has always been that we want regional councils to work because, despite the bitterness of the forced amalgamations, it’s not easy for a new breakaway council to be formed.

“But if the majority of people in the former Douglas shire feel strongly enough and vote for de-amalgamation, they will pick up the bill.

“It would be unfair of us to allow the entire Cairns Regional Council area to vote if the people in the Douglas Shire Council area are expected to pay all the costs.

“That is why only those people inside the former council area will get to vote at the referendum.”