By Mat Churchill

• Watch the exclusive video
• "We are not the minority," Hunt
• Council CEO comes under fire

Gary Hunt has presented a deputation to Council criticising the lagoon pool consultation and community feedback process while emploring councilors to let the public choose their preferred design.

While Mayor Val Schier was not in attendance due to commitments in Canberra, Mr Hunt addressed councilors including Deputy Mayor Margaret Cochrane and Cairns Regional Council CEO, Lyn Russell, who was on the receiving end of some barbed remarks from Mr Hunt.

WATCH THE VIDEO (top left)

"Anybody who has been speaking out like me has been treated as though we're pariahs," Mr Hunt said.

"The CEO took umbrage at the fact that I sent a letter out to all of you (councilors) and to the members of the Urban Advisory Board and to the Waterfront Management Committee. She considers it as perjorative which I don't believe it is.

"We've been told by the local manager in the press, she's saying that we're an uninformed vocal minority...You've got 17 private organisations, public organisations, community organisations that are saying 'we don't want it beside St. Mary's (By The Sea).'

"We're not the minority, and we are vocal, and I think we're equally as informed as some of the people you've got giving you advice."

WATCH THE VIDEO (top left) 

Mr Hunt called for the lagoon design created by his firm and Hortulus Landscape Design to be presented next to the Council's recommended plan at the Macrossan Street shop front so residents can compare the two and form an educated opinion on their preferred option.

Mr Hunt said that information displayed during the community consultation period was strongly biased toward the site near St. Mary's By The Sea, and that he was disappointed at being allocated just 15 minutes to put forward a case for the alternative.

Council will now deliberate on Mr Hunt's presentation.