The Douglas region was not the only former council to break away from regional councils formed by the State Labor Government in 2008, with all four polls around Queensland reflecting a desire for de-amalgamation.

Noosa showed an overwhelming 80% majority vote to break away from Sunshine Coast Regional Council to again become Noosa Shire Council, while Mareeba had similar results to Douglas in achieving a break away from Tablelands Regional Council.

Livingstone Shire Council will also break away from Rockhampton Regional Council.

Cairns Regional Council mayor, Bob Manning told The Newsport this morning that he had no complaints with how the poll was run.

“The message is clear in all four polls conducted and I think that’s probably a reflection on how the amalgamation initially took place,” he said. “I don’t think the then-government made any friends in forcing the issue the way they did.

“But in terms of how the polls were conducted, I learned a long time ago in life, that win or lose, there’s no point in whingeing about it.

“What’s happened has happened and at the end of the day the people have made their decision and that’s the way it is.”

Cr Manning said there would now be a transitional phase ahead of the Douglas Shire Council coming into effect on January 1, 2014.

“Cairns Regional Council will work with the Government, the minister, the department and the to-be-formed Douglas Shire Council to make the transition as smooth as we possibly can,” he said.

“The challenge up there, now the game is over, is that the people will have to get down to selecting a very good council to face the multiple challenges that the new shire will face - and there will be multiple challenges and they will be daunting.

“The selection of a council that will have a progressive and balanced view on what needs to happen is absolutely critical in making this work.”

Monday on The Newsport – Bob Manning on the future of the local economy