Mareeba Shire Council tabled its annual report for 2019-20 at today’s Council meeting.
Mayor Angela Toppin acknowledged the efforts of former Mayor Tom Gilmore O.A.M., Deputy Mayor Alan Pedersen, and Councillor Nipper Brown who all served on the new Mareeba Shire Council from 2014-2020. “I thank them for their service to the Council and the Mareeba Shire community,” Cr Toppin said.
The report highlights the Council’s key achievements over the past 12 months, including the organisation’s sustainable financial position.
Mayor Angela Toppin said she was proud of Council’s recent credit rating, being upgraded to sound, with a neutral outlook. “This improved rating by the Queensland Treasury Corporation is reflective of Council’s financial performance, adequate debt serving capacity and sound liquidity levels and instills confidence in the organisation,” Cr Toppin said.
During the previous financial year, Council received over $20 million in grant funding to deliver numerous projects across the Shire. “I am extremely grateful to the Queensland and Australian governments for their continued support allowing Council to enhance the liveability for residents across the Shire,” Cr Toppin said.
Projects included the Barang Street pump station upgrade in Kuranda, the Mareeba Airport Redevelopment Project and the expansion at the Mareeba Industrial Park which will strengthen Mareeba’s position as an industrial hub for northern Australia.
Mayor Angela Toppin said the capital investment of $24 million reflects Council’s commitment to providing quality services and infrastructure to cater for a growing community. “It is vital that we continue to renew and upgrade essential infrastructure across the Shire. This is why Council invested $7.7 million for roads, $3.7 million for water and $1 million for wastewater in 2019-20,” she said.
“Water security continues to be a major focus of Council with a water strategy and asset management plan being undertaken to identify risks and opportunities in relation to current and future water supply.”
Council continued to foster an engaged community that supports and encourages effective partnerships to enhance the liveability for residents across the Shire. The Community Partnerships Program and the administration of the Queensland Government’s Regional Arts Development Fund have seen Council contribute over $180,000 to support not-for-profit groups, festivals, events, sporting initiatives and cultural developments.
“I am looking forward to the next four years serving as Mayor, and I have great confidence in the prosperity of the Shire,” Mayor Toppin concluded.
