The future of Cairns is in your hands.

In the case of Mayor Bob Manning today, it was literally a basketball in his hands that will help shape the future of our city.

In a first-of-its-kind community survey for Cairns, the council is utilising a range of survey techniques and platforms to gauge our collective response to a range of issues.

At today's launch at the Cairns Show, Cr Manning demonstrated a fun basketball style game where residents can place a ball in their preferred 'hoop' which corresponds to specific answers.

A wide range of topics will be canvassed in the Our Cairns survey from August 1, including fluoride in the water supply, light rail,a rectangular stadium and the need for an additional bin for green waste.

Cr Manning said the Our Cairns project, which was unveiled at Cairns Show today ahead of its official start on August 1, would inform council's Corporate Plan and shape the way council dealt with major issues.

"These are questions that we know are contentious and for which opposing views are held within our community – and that is why it is important they are asked,” Cr Manning said.

“All residents deserve the opportunity to be heard and differing views serve to create constructive debate. We encourage everyone to contribute their thoughts so we can get a true indication of the community’s position on these topics."

While there was a lighter side to today's launch featuring our basketball playing Mayor, the Our Cairns process is incredibly important for the future of the city.

"This is more than your regular public consultation opportunity," Cr Manning said.

"Through Our Cairns, residents can contribute to the future direction of the city, as the results will help us prepare Council’s new Corporate Plan.

"This plan lays down a guideline for decision-making by identifying the base objectives and values of our community.

"The more people respond to the survey, the greater the accuracy of the result, so we are asking anyone who has an interest in the future of Cairns to take part in this survey."

Information specific to suburbs will be collected in the survey, along with feedback on the community's preferred methods for interacting with council.

The Our Cairns survey will be available on Council’s website from 1 August, with hard copies also made available.

More information will be provided closer to the start date, but residents can find out more at the Cairns Regional Council stand along the back row of the Fred Moule Pavilion throughout the 2016 Cairns Sho