WITH just over a week until Douglas Shire resident’s head to the polls tensions began to rise at the second candidate election forum last night.

A packed Port Douglas Community Hall of over 120 turned out to take up their issues with council candidates, hosted by the Douglas Chamber of Commerce.

All candidates were given the chance to answer some of the key issues - such as the waterfront redevelopment - in a pre-prepared written statement before the forum, but it was the audience reaction to projects currently off the table that was most intriguing.

Donna Graham received the most raucous applause of the evening after expanding on her vision for a coconut processing industry, seeming to have the backing of most in attendance.

"Council alone spends over $200,000 a year de-nutting a limited number of coconut trees," Graham said." Coconut oil sells for around $20 a litre so the opportunity to turn a cost into a long-term industry needs to be explored."

Mayoral candidate Roy Weavers also had strong backing surrounding his campaign platform of better engaging business, but perhaps the most impressive candidate amongst locals for the night was Michael Kerr.

Kerr was particularly strong in supporting the development of a retirement village near Ferrero Road, saying elderly residents can only boost the local economy and stressed the importance of retirees being able to stay within the Shire.

"I thought Kerr was really impressive and seemed to have a better understanding of the broader issues, not just the obvious ones," one elderly resident, who preferred not to be named, said.

Another local believed the Shire was "The worst one out of the four that have de-amalgamated and they need to realise it."

Another issue raised from the floor was that not enough was being done to attract tourists to the region during off peak periods. "We need to offer more things during the shoulder seasons," one resident said.

The final election forum will be held at the Mossman Shire Hall on Tuesday, March 15 from 5.30pm.