by Mat Churchill

Tourism Port Douglas Daintree executive officer, Doug Ryan believes that construction of the Port Douglas lagoon pool could commence within a year after Premier Bligh's announcement of $30,000 in funding, made while she was in town yesterday.

Mr Ryan said that, regardless of the amount, the money ties the Government to the long-awaited, and hotly debated project.

"The $30,000 isn't a significant amount of money. . .but what it does do it shows a commitment by the State Government. They've got massive expenditure around the State at the moment with everything that's going on.

"I think this is just a token to show they are in support of the development and that in the future once they get the planning finished then Council can then make applications to the State and Federal Government for funding, that the State Government will look at it favourably because they've already committed to support it," he said.

"Talking to the Premier when we were talking about this particular project with her she was very keen that this money be used to speed up the process and perhaps start getting the process of Federal Government approvals through.

"Realistically, I believe they could certainly be turning the first sods of dirt within 12 months. Certainly by the end of this year I would like to think there is something moving forward.

"I don't think it's unachievable, it's a matter of fast tracking it. Now we've got the State support I'm quite sure there's a lot of things they'll be able to put through fairly quickly."

Mr Ryan spoke highly of the Premier after an arduous few weeks visiting disaster affected areas.

"Her approach to us and her comments and the way she listens. . .I think is excellent, and she does listen. And she does hear when people are suffering and she understands our region is really suffering."