Election of Deputy Mayor
At today’s Statutory meeting Councillor Alan Pedersen was elected Deputy Mayor, unopposed. Council meetings will remain the first and third Wednesday of each month.
Capital Works
The Mareeba Shire Council has completed several capital works projects recently and is committed to a number of large projects for 2016/2017.
“The Mareeba Wastewater Treatment Plant project involves the construction of a refurbished activated sludge treatment plant to new licence standards, the upgrading of the pressure main delivering raw sewage to the plant and a new inlet works,” Mayor Tom Gilmore said.
“The refurbished plant is being designed for a connected population of 12,500 which on current growth trends will sustain sewage treatment services through to 2035.” Mayor Gilmore said.
“There is a $525,000 project to provide new sludge management services at the Kuranda Wastewater Treatment Plant. It incorporates the provision of a newer belt filter press and building together with associated dosing facilities, ”Cr Gilmore said.
“Council has let a contract to Abergeldie Constructions Pty Ltd for the works with the initial part of the belt filter press manufacture being underway in Italy. Installation of the press is expected in May/June 2016,” Mayor Gilmore said.
“Council has a long standing commitment to the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection under its environmental authority for the Mareeba landfill to ensure the Mareeba landfill is capped and sealed. The works consists of shaping the landfill and then capping with a clay and geo-synthetic liner. Tenders for this work will be invited in April 2016,” he said.
“Also Council will be doing a full reseal of the Chillagoe airstrip, with 50% funding from the Commonwealth Government Remote Airstrip Program. Works are planned to be completed by the end of May, everything going to plan,” Cr Gilmore said.
“Council is committed to delivering various projects during 2016/2017, one being the reconstruction of the Springmount Road Oaky Creek Bridge. The project involves reconstructing the bridge to highway loading standards. Council will receive 50% funding from the Commonwealth Government through the Bridges Renewal Program,” he said.
“Mareeba Shire Council has also received funding towards projects through the State Government Community Resilience. We are going to improve the Koah Hall for disaster recovery purposes subsequent to a disaster event. Approval has now been received for the provision of nine causeways on western beef roads to facilitate access for beef transport immediately post the wet season. The Euluma Creek road low section that continually breaks up during the wet season will be provided with a 100metre long concrete floodway on the low section,” he said.