The following items were addressed at the Ordinary Meeting of Mareeba Shire Council on Wednesday, 16 September 2026.
Contract Awarded for Mt Molloy Water Main Upgrade
Mareeba Shire Council has awarded the contract for the Mt Molloy Water Main Upgrade Project at its September Ordinary Council Meeting, marking an important investment in the reliability and long-term sustainability of the township’s water infrastructure.
The contract has been awarded to JR Pipelines Pty Ltd, following a competitive tender process. The project involves the replacement of an ageing asbestos cement (AC) water main along Main Street/Mulligan Highway between Clacherty Street and Brown Street.
Mareeba Shire Mayor Angela Toppin said the upgrade would deliver significant benefits to the Mt Molloy community by improving the reliability of the town’s non-potable water supply network.
“This project is an important investment in essential infrastructure for Mt Molloy. Replacing ageing water mains helps ensure a more reliable water supply for residents and businesses while reducing the risk of future maintenance issues and water service disruptions,” Mayor Toppin said.
The existing water main will be replaced with a durable ductile iron cement-lined (DICL) pipeline.
The water main upgrade follows the successful upgrade of the Mt Molloy water reservoir earlier this year. The project required the reservoir to be taken offline, emptied, repaired and relined, extending the asset’s operational life and improving the reliability of the town’s water storage infrastructure.
The Mt Molloy water main project is fully funded through Council’s Water Depreciation Reserve and is scheduled to be practically completed by 30 June 2027.
While every effort will be made to minimise disruption, residents, businesses and visitors may experience temporary traffic changes during construction.
Further information regarding construction schedules and traffic impacts will be provided closer to the commencement of works.
ENDS
Kuranda Water Treatment Plant Intake Upgrade Contract Awarded
Mareeba Shire Council has awarded the contract for the Kuranda Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Intake Project, which will improve the reliability and resilience of Kuranda’s water supply.
At its September Ordinary Council Meeting, Council awarded the tender to Bluewater Marine QLD Pty Ltd.
Mareeba Shire Mayor Angela Toppin said the project forms part of Council’s ongoing commitment to maintaining critical water infrastructure and ensuring a reliable water supply for the Kuranda community.
“Water security is one of Council’s highest priorities, and this project will strengthen a key component of Kuranda’s water treatment infrastructure,” Mayor Toppin said.
The upgrade follows significant damage to the riverbank facility during Cyclone Jasper in December 2023, when the Barron River reached a record height of 14 metres. Since then, Council has relied on a temporary pump system, which requires constant monitoring and operational adjustments during the wet season.
The project involves replacing the existing intake pipeline and river anchorage works. The upgrade is designed to improve the long-term reliability and resilience of the infrastructure that delivers raw water to the treatment plant.
Mayor Toppin said investing in essential infrastructure helps Council provide high-quality services to residents and supports future growth across the Shire.
“Projects like this are not always highly visible, but they are essential in ensuring our communities have access to a safe and reliable water supply every day,” she said.
This project is funded through the Queensland Resilience and Risk Reduction Program (QRRRP), a five-year Queensland Government initiative to increase the state’s resilience to natural disasters.
The QRRRP is backed by the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
ENDS