A fight to provide a secure water source to a stunning Port Douglas streetscape has escalated.

Since James Watson began creating his 200 metre long botanic garden in Nautilus Street over 18 months ago, he has been trying to convince Cairns Regional Council to provide water access on the strip to keep the plants alive.

Until recently, Mr Watson had been able to use water from nearby Nimrod Resort, however this source has dried up after resort management broke the news that they could no longer continue to supply water for the garden in a bid to minimise expenses.

"We used their water to maintain the garden which is recognised by everyone. With that in mind we didn't squander the water, we just watered the plants and we put in new plants all the time."

However, Mr Watson understands the position management of Nimrod Resort were forced to take despite keeping water use to a bare minimum.

Council have been non-responsive to Mr Watsons repeated requests, clearly frustrating the man who has given so much to the Port Douglas community.

"This has been an ongoing thing. We've been continually contacting Liz Collyer and Julia Leu on it...it just goes from one to the other."

Ironically, in 2011 Council honoured Mr Watson's work on the Nautilus streetscape, presenting him with a plaque which remains on display in the garden.

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He said that he'd been told to contact an "Environment Department" but was given no contact name or phone number.

He did, however, praise Council for being one of the providers of plants for the garden he works up to two hours a day maintaining.

"It's well worth it when you see the results," he said, but lamented "If nothing is done it will result in no watering being carried out and this icon of Port Douglas (will be) something of the past."

The garden is also being used as a nursery for Port Douglas Community Garden seedlings.   

The Newsport contacted Mark Howarth, Council's team leader for water reticulation in Port Douglas, who said he would endeavour to find a solution.