“Issues that need to be addressed include the treatment of the back of the fake cliffs so they don’t look like the rear of a stage set.

“Cleaning the lagoon around the rocks could be challenging and supervision of all the nooks and crannies by lifesavers and parents will be problematic,” he said.

Mr Hunt said people falling off wet rocks will keep lifesavers busy.

“I am in favour of natural filtration when technically feasible, but can’t help to think that in the wet season with high humidity, significant stormwater run-off, rain infiltration, hordes of swimmers with sun protection and algal growth around the rocks, could be a bit too much for the aquatic plants and river stones to be able to regulate clear swimming water.

“There are alternate technologies that have been proven to work in such an environment and climate.
“The actual swimming area looks small. It will be interesting to find out what the size is but it looks a lot smaller than the Airlie Beach lagoon which can be crowded on a busy day,” he said.

Mr Hunt said the cost of pumping water for the waterfalls won’t be cheap, adding no shade over the swimming area is also not desirable.

“I trust that the Council recognises the need for an increase in the parking area as it is already packed in the streets near the life-saving club on busy days.

“The previous design for the lagoon near the Sugar Wharf is in a better location and with the available space to construct a well-proportioned facility,” he said.

Mr Hunt said the lagoon in this superior location would be highly visible for tourist boats going to and from the Reef and is on the visual axis to the Main Street and will positively contribute to the streetscape.

“Importantly, from a marketing point of view, the lagoon has a visual WOW factor with infinity edge glass walls facing the Coral Sea, sandy beaches set in tropical gardens and shade sails for pool users wanting to swim away from the direct sun

“Furthermore it will benefit local businesses in the village, is adjacent to popular Rex Smeal Park, has space nearby to increase and rationalise car parking and is less costly to construct and maintain than the artificial waterhole.

“Critically it will also consolidate the waterfront as per the Port Douglas Waterfront Master Plan - adopted by Council after extensive community consultation over a number of years,” he said.

Mr Hunt questioned what is the point of trying to reinvent the wheel.

“And why create a slice of Disneyland?

“The Douglas Shire is not about faking natural beauty. It is about respecting the natural attributes of the place and relishing in our stunning surrounds whilst responding to the already highly consulted community views,” he said.

At the time of making the announcement, Douglas Shire Mayor Julia Leu said the lagoon would be a once-in-a-generation project.

“This is a really exciting vision for the future,” she said.

Mixed reaction greeted the announcement with some saying it would complement the re-development of the Marina. Others questioned the location; whether it would happen and likened it to something out of Las Vegas or Disneyworld.