Mareeba Shire is made up of many unique communities, each having different risk profiles and experiencing different impacts in the face of disaster events. Council is committed to building and maintaining resilient communities able to adapt to an increasing occurrence of natural disasters.

Thanks to funding from the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, a range of community training opportunities and events will be occurring throughout 2026 to support communities to gain the skills and knowledge they need to bounce back from disaster.

Community Training Opportunities

Community Training Opportunities

FREE chainsaw training is being held across the Shire to support residents to gain the skills to better maintain their properties and mitigate the impacts of severe weather.

This is Nationally Accredited training and covers the following units of competency:
– FWPCOT2254 Maintain chainsaws
– FWPCOT2273 Trim and cut felled trees

Available dates and locations:

Kuranda – Saturday, 6 June 2026

Mareeba – Saturday, 13 June 2026

Mareeba – Saturday, 27 June 2026

Book here: https://mareebashirecouncil.snapforms.com.au/form/community-training

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Royal Flying Doctor Service is hosting FREE mental health first aid training.

This is a 2-day course and is being held at the following locations:

May

Dimbulah: Tuesday 19 – Wednesday 20 May

Mareeba: Saturday 23 – Sunday 24 May

Koah: Wednesday 27 – Thursday 28 May

June

Kuranda: Tuesday 2 – Wednesday 3 June

Chillagoe: Tuesday 9 to Wednesday 10 June

For more information or to register, please contact:

Chrissy Boll

RFDS Far North Mental Health and Wellbeing

Ph: 4040 0444

MHAdmin@rfdsqld.com.au

Expression of Interest – Landholder Fire Workshop

Do you own 5 acres or more in the Mareeba Shire?

Take the opportunity to strengthen your property’s resilience and be better prepared for bushfire season by registering your interest in our Landholder Fire Workshop.

This interactive one-day workshop is designed specifically for local landholders and will provide practical, hands-on information including:

• Effective fire management practices

• Proven strategies to reduce bushfire risk on your property

• How to identify and protect critical assets

• Practical guidance on property planning and preparedness

As part of the workshop, participants will receive a satellite map of their property and take part in a one-on-one property mapping activity. This includes tailored advice from Dr Leasie Felderhof, an expert in fire behaviour and risk, to help you identify hazards specific to your property and consider mitigation strategies that balance grazing management, fuel reduction and biodiversity.

To register your Expression of Interest, please follow the link below and complete the online form. We will be in touch with further details once registrations are confirmed. https://mareebashirecouncil.snapforms.com.au/form/landholder-fire-workshop

E-News

The Community Resilience Network

Council is building a Community Resilience Network (CRN). The CRN will comprise a core group of people in the local community who have the knowledge, training and skills to support disaster management operations and build more resilient communities.

Our aim is to establish a strong, sustainable community network that can provide vital support during disaster events, helping our communities recover more quickly. A new, shire wide volunteer network will form a key part of the CRN, connecting Council with local perspectives in each of our unique communities.

Community Guardians

Community Guardians are key links between Council and the community. They are passionate volunteers with localised knowledge and community connections. These trusted points of contact who share information and liaise with Council help to ensure communities are prepared before, during and after disasters.

Council is always seeking expressions of interest from community members who would like to join the Community Resilience Network as Community Guardians.

 

What does being a Community Guardian involve?

Community Guardians come from a variety of backgrounds, and each bring unique skills and interests to the Community Resilience Network. They undertake a variety of functions from community engagement to operational disaster management duties.

As a Community Guardian you could find yourself:

  • Acting as a key point of contact in your community
  • Maintaining a two-way flow of communication between the community and Council during severe weather events
  • Engaging with your community through community meetings and events – assisting residents to locate resources and information
  • Assisting with evacuation centre activation and operation
  • Undertaking specialised training such as first aid, mental health first aid, evacuation centre management or Queensland Disaster Management Arrangements

What are the requirements?

  • 18+
  • Willing to register as a volunteer with Mareeba Shire Council
  • Willing to undergo a police check.

You don’t need disaster management experience to become a Community Guardian, just an interest in the program and a desire to help your community.

Tell us why you’re interested and what skills you could bring to the CRN.

Register your interest today

Applications are open year-round and reviewed periodically

 

Community Guardian Expression of Interest