The Queensland Electoral Commission says counting in a referendum on the de-amalgamation in four Queensland council regions is pointing to a yes vote.

The State Government is giving 80,000 residents in the former Noosa, Douglas, Livingstone and Mareeba shires a chance to reverse the amalgamation of councils in 2008.

At Noosa on the Sunshine Coast de-amalgamation supporters are claiming victory.

More than half the vote has been counted and 80 per cent have voted yes to separate from the Sunshine Coast Regional Council.

At Mareeba in the far North Queensland, about 78 per cent have been tallied and 61 per cent are supporting a split.

The yes vote has a slim lead in the former council shire of Douglas and at Livingston in Central Queensland 84 per cent of the votes been counted and 57 per cent support de-amalgamation.

The Electoral Commission says there was a strong turnout and more than a quarter have voted in pre-polls.

"We've had a reasonably steady stream through all four of the districts to date," the Electoral Commission's Walter Van Der Meher said.

The Queensland Treasury estimates it will cost between $8 million and $13 million for each region to break away from its amalgamated council.

A report has found Noosa has the best chance of achieving a new council.

Local Government Minister David Crisafulli says the State Government will accept the verdict either way.

"What we want today is for people to be well informed, to get all the information, make an informed vote and make sure they cast a vote," he said earlier in the day.