NEWS of chlorine-free water trials was bittersweet for Douglas residents, with many uncertain about whether the promises will materialise.

The Douglas water reference group meeting on Thursday promised to be a fiery one, with a full gallery hoping for answers to Mossman’s accidental over-chlorination of its water earlier this month, but Cairns Regional Council bosses did not come to the meeting empty-handed.

For the first time since chlorine was added to the Port Douglas water supply in May, a timeline was released. Trials will begin early next year, pending approvals, which may see the region return to chlorine-free status.

But despite the good news, residents are not holding their breath for a positive outcome.

Friends of the Douglas Shire spokesman Robert Hanan said that "you could drive a truck through" the holes in the documents, which other residents have labelled as "farcical".

"We have to be a bit sceptical about the intent," Mr Hanan said.

"But they have given us a timeline, which we will try to make them stick to."

Port Douglas resident Bodil Puffett had a similar sentiment, saying she believed the promise may be more about "shutting the people up".

Queensland Health confirmed the trial can only begin after a list of protocols, due by Christmas, are approved and the department is sure "there will be no public health risks".

The Department of Environment and Resource Management also need to sign off on any plans before a trial in Mossman can begin.

Division 10 councillor Julia Leu is more optimistic, saying she was delighted a positive step was finally being made.

"I’m really pleased that we could finally have a positive breakthrough and finally recognise some of the recommendations in Professor Don Bursill’s report," she said.

"Now it’s just important that everything is ready so we can take it to the first water reference group meeting in February and get a start on it as soon as possible."

South Australian water expert Prof Bursill, who travelled to the region earlier in the year to compile a report, said the news of a trial was positive but warned that prevention is better than a cure.

Share this article