The Douglas Shire has issued a call to arms to Far North Queenslanders: On February 23, rise up for the Reef.

Hundreds are expected to gather in Port Douglas next Sunday to protest against the Federal Government’s decision to allow the dumping of dredge spoil on the Great Barrier Reef.

Organisers of the one-hour event, dubbed the 'Douglas Reef Rally', have set a procession route from the Port Douglas Surf Club to Wharf Street's ANZAC Park, with a visual 'Sand Spectacle' planned on Four Mile Beach.

Though organisers started planning just two weeks before the rally date, a related Facebook event has attracted more than 1500 invited guests.

Representatives from the Environmental Defenders Office of North Queensland, the Cairns and Far North Environment Centre, and Douglas-based marine health non-profit Tangaroa Blue have been confirmed as keynote speakers to promote awareness, education and action on the day.

“The Great Barrier Reef is a unique World Heritage Listed site that’s right in our backyard,” said event M.C. and President of the Douglas Shire Sustainability Group (DSSG), Kevin ‘K-Star’ Eldridge.

“The peaceful protest on February 23 is the first step in getting the word out that the Douglas Shire community is dissatisfied.

"We're particularly concerned about the proposed Cairns Shipping Development Project, which, if approved, will mean an initial 5 million cubic metres of dredge spoil dumped very close to Douglas Shire waters, smothering already depleted seagrass supplies - the food source for dugongs and turtles. 

“Considering tourism is our bread and butter - 90 per cent of all economic activity in the Douglas region is tourism dependent - residents and the local business community are understandably very concerned about the damaging impact that dumping dredge soil would have on the reef environment and our tourism industry.

The green-and-blue themed protest will start at noon at the Port Douglas Surf Life Saving Club, with gathering crowds to be greeted by local grassroots musicians ‘Timber and Wood’ from 11.30am. Shortly after noon, participants will spell out ‘SAVE THE REEF’ in human words on the sands of Four Mile Beach.

“It will be an exciting hour-long event from the Surf Club at the northern end of Four Mile Beach, along the length of Macrossan Street and into ANZAC Park, where they will be entertained by Mossman-based Indigenous band ‘The Walker Brothers’ and educated by our guest speakers,” Mr Eldridge said.

“Get your placards ready and join us!”

Mr Eldridge said his committee will be distributing kits to local businesses and accommodation houses early this week, with Rally information, including road closures, and printable posters and pamphlets. 

"We're encouraging businesses to print out the material and put it on display to help spread the word," he said.

Supporters are encouraged to use the tags #SaveTheReef on social media.

The Douglas Reef Rally needs about 20 volunteers to act as marshalls on the day. For more information, see the Facebook event page or email Kevin Eldridge at kevin@kstartours.com.au.