The following items were addressed at the Ordinary Meeting of Mareeba Shire Council on Wednesday, 15 October 2025.
Mareeba Shire Council Tables Annual Report 2024/2025
Mareeba Shire Council has tabled its 2024/2025 Annual Report at the October Council meeting, highlighting a year of strong service delivery, infrastructure upgrades and community-focused initiatives.
Mayor Angela Toppin said the report demonstrates Council’s continued commitment to delivering vital services and new projects while maintaining financial sustainability.
“The Annual Report is a recap of Council’s progress and achievements aligned with our Corporate Plan,” said Mayor Toppin.
Among the year’s key achievements was the completion of the Coondoo Street streetscape upgrade in Kuranda, featuring improved street lighting, footpaths and fairy lights in the heritage-listed fig trees—enhancing both safety and main street’s appeal.
Council also made significant progress under its Water Strategy, including upgrades to the booster pump and filtration system at the Mareeba Water Treatment Plant, securing the delivery of safe, reliable drinking water.
Natural disaster recovery works were advanced with the support of the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, which are jointly funded by the Australian Government and Queensland Government. Major road restorations were completed across the Shire, including Bushy Creek bridge on Mt Lewis Road in Julatten, Jarawee Road and Barron Falls Road in Kuranda and Emerald End Road and Carmen Road in Mareeba.
Council continued its focus on liveability, maintaining parks and open spaces, supporting community organisations, and delivering public art projects. Notable works include new murals at Geraghty Park in Julatten and Mareeba Bi-Lakes Precinct, as well as a sculpture at the School of Arts Hall in Irvinebank. Council also hosted popular events like the Mareeba Multicultural Festival, Great Wheelbarrow Race and Seniors Morning Tea.
A major initiative launched this year is the Mareeba CBD Blueprint, a long-term revitalisation plan shaped by community feedback. The project will deliver construction-ready designs to improve drainage, accessibility, lighting, and public amenities in Mareeba’s town centre.
The report also acknowledges the loss of Councillor Kevin Davies in January 2025.
“Cr Davies was a passionate advocate for the community. His insight and dedication are deeply missed,” said Mayor Toppin.
In April, Council welcomed Councillor Mladen Bosnic to the Chamber and looks forward to his contributions in the year ahead.
Mayor Toppin concluded by thanking Councillors, staff and funding partners.
“We remain committed to our vision of a growing, confident and sustainable Shire.”
The Annual Report can be accessed on Council’s website.
Mareeba Shire Arts Industry Supported through the Regional Arts Development Fund 2025-26 Round
The 2025/26 round for the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) has been announced following the October Mareeba Shire Council Meeting.
RADF is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Mareeba Shire Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.
Minister for Education and the Arts John-Paul Langbroek said the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) has an impressive track record of supporting local arts and cultural programs across Queensland communities.
“The Crisafulli Government’s multi-year RADF investment provides greater funding certainty for 59 regional councils, streamlined program management and red tape reduction, while boosting the state’s vibrant arts and cultural scene,” Minister Langbroek said.
Chair of the RADF Committee, Mareeba Shire Mayor Angela Toppin, said the funding will support a wide range of activities across the Shire.
“Nine recipients will be supported through the RADF program, with a total of $38,165 being awarded to support art projects, music, events and education opportunities,” said Mayor Toppin.
The recipients:
- Aurelle Brunjes – The City Debut EP
This project supports the professional production, recording, and release of The City, the debut EP by singer-songwriter Aurelle Brunjes. Featuring seven original tracks inspired by rural life and personal stories, the EP reflects a strong connection to regional Queensland and will launch with a live performance in Dimbulah. The RADF grant will help cover production, recording, local musician, and photography costs, enabling Aurelle to grow her artistic profile and reach a wider audience.
- Blake Hudson – Projection Mapping: Skills Sharing & Creative Upgrade
Upgrading projection software will enable Blake Hudson to offer a free community workshop on projection mapping and real-time visuals, while enhancing his professional output and job opportunities. RADF grant will support the cost of a Notch RFX subscription and venue hire.
- Irvinebank School of Arts & Progress Assoc – Back to Irvinebank John Moffat Festival
This community festival will celebrate Irvinebank’s 125-year history and John Moffat’s legacy with heritage talks, tours, and entertainment. Featuring new branding, expanded programming, and a sustainability plan, the RADF grant will support local band fees and advertising.
- Julatten & Molloy Resident & Ratepayers Assoc – Bushy Creek Makers’ Fair (Planning Stage)
The two-day Bushy Creek Makers’ Fair at Geraghty Park will showcase local talent, foster connection, and revitalise community assets. The Planning Stage focuses on web development, marketing, programming, and engagement. The RADF grant will support project management, website creation, and print materials.
- Kerry Balzarolo – Women’s Filmmaking Retreat
This project delivers three half-day filmmaking workshops where participants take on entry-level roles and help produce a short film that will be submitted to film festivals. It supports skill development for women in a supportive setting, addressing their under-representation in the industry. The RADF grant will contribute towards crew/facilitator fees, advertising and equipment.
- Kuranda Amphitheatre Society – Kuranda Eco Arts Festival (Pilot for Annual Event)
The Kuranda Amphitheatre Society’s Eco-Arts Festival is a pilot event featuring three sustainability-themed creative workshops leading into a community festival celebrating local creativity, environmental awareness and live music. The RADF grant will support facilitator fees, local band fees and workshop materials.
- Kuranda Historical Society – Oral History Video Production & Workshop
This project will build Kuranda Historical Society’s capacity to produce video-based oral histories by training volunteers in filming and editing. A series of short interviews with notable Kuranda artists will be added to KHS’s public online collection. The RADF grant will support costs for a professional videographer and camera operator.
- Mt Molloy State School – The Pathway Project- Community Ceramic Creations
Students and community members will join workshops led by a local ceramic artist to create three large interpretive signboards for the school entrance, celebrating local birdlife, history, and environment. The RADF grant will support artist fees, materials, firing, and signage.
- Speewah District Residents Association – Frontline Fire Management Mural
Frontline Fire Management is a public art project celebrating the Speewah Rural Fire Brigade’s legacy through a striking water tank mural. It will honour community fire efforts and create a visual landmark. The RADF grant will support the artist’s fee.
“Congratulations to all of the RADF recipients and we look forward to seeing the wonderful achievements in this space over the next year,” concluded Mayor Toppin.
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Have Your Say: Mareeba Shire Community Biosecurity Plan
Mareeba Shire Council is seeking community feedback on the draft Mareeba Shire Community Biosecurity Plan 2025–2030, which sets out a coordinated approach to managing invasive plants and animals across the Mareeba Shire.
Chair of the Pest Advisory Committee, Cr Ross Cardillo, said that the Plan aims to bring together local residents, landholders, industry and government through a practical framework for targeted biosecurity management.
“By working together, we can reduce the impacts of invasive species on our environment, economy and way of life,” said Cr Cardillo.
The draft Plan builds on from the previous 2020-2025 version, with improved readability and the addition of deer as a pest species to be managed.
Using a risk-based approach, the Plan helps to:
- Assist in the prioritisation of resources to manage invasive plants and animals.
- Develop management strategies for high priority invasive plants and animals which occur, or might occur, within Mareeba Shire.
- Provide management outcomes for specific high priority species; and
- Provide for the preservation and enhancement of the natural environment and liveability of Mareeba Shire.
The Plan builds on existing projects and partnerships already underway, with a strong focus on raising community awareness and improving capacity to identify, control and prevent the spread of invasive species.
The risk assessment process was facilitated by the Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (FNQROC), using the Queensland Government’s State Biosecurity Planning Framework.
Action plans for priority species have been developed based on feasibility, known distribution and potential impacts on human health, the economy, the environment and community wellbeing.
The draft Plan also outlines roles and responsibilities across individuals, agencies, and organisations, while offering landholders practical tools and guidance to support effective local management.
Council invites residents, landholders and stakeholders to review the draft Plan on Council’s website and provide feedback to help shape the future of biosecurity in Mareeba Shire.
Feedback can be submitted via email info@msc.qld.gov.au by Wednesday, 5 November 2025.
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