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Items of Interest – Ordinary Council Meeting, 18 June 2025

By June 18, 2025June 20th, 2025No Comments

The following items were addressed at the Ordinary Meeting of Mareeba Shire Council on Wednesday, 18 June 2025.

Mareeba Shire Gets Ready for the Fire Season

At the June Mareeba Shire Council Meeting, an update was provided about the bush fire mitigation activities underway across the Shire.

The Mareeba Shire Fire Management Crew has been working closely with the Queensland Fire Department and the Rural Fire Brigade to reduce the risk bush fires.

“The team successfully carried out a hazard reduction burn at the Chillagoe Transfer Station, Watsonville and Mutchilba Transfer Station, and have more planned for June and July,” said Mareeba Shire Mayor Angela Toppin.

Planned Hazard Reduction Burns (weather and conditions permitting):

  • Early July – Catarossi Street and Wolfram Road, Dimbulah
  • Wednesday, 25 June 2025 -Vaughan Street, Mareeba
  • Thursday, 26 June 2025 – Clinton Close, Mareeba
  • Thursday, 26 June 2025 – Chewko Road Lookout

Please be aware of possible smoke in the area during this time. Hazard reduction burns are carried out to reduce fuel loads and help protect the community during the fire season.

The crew has also been managing weeds and long grass along fire breaks around Mareeba.

“Property owners need to be aware of the risks to their properties, and start undertaking prevention activities such as mowing the grass, clearing dead vegetation, trimming overhanging trees, and maintain clear pathways.

Where appropriate, property owners can also apply for a fire permit through their local Fire Warden.

To learn more about how to prepare for a bushfire and to create a survival plan, please visit: https://www.qld.gov.au/emergency/dealing-disasters/disaster-types/bushfires/bushfire-prepare

Make sure to visit the Emergency Dashboard for the latest information on Disasters.

Chillagoe hazard reduction burn carried out in June 2025. 

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New Regional Arts Development Fund Advisory Committee Appointed and Local Arts Priorities Set for 2025-28

Mareeba Shire Council has announced the appointment of six community members to its new Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) Advisory Committee, following a public call for nominations earlier this year.

RADF is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Mareeba Shire Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland. The RADF Advisory Committee plays a vital role in shaping the direction of arts, culture, and heritage initiatives across the Shire. It provides expert advice and recommendations to Council and ensures community voices are central to funding and program decisions.

After serving a successful three-year term, the previous committee has now handed the baton to a new group of dedicated arts advocates. From a pool of 11 nominees, the following six individuals have been appointed to the Committee for a three-year term: Bianca Velder, Brioni McGrath, Connie Rovina, Kylie Lambert, Melissa Waters and Theodore Tremblay.

These members bring a diverse range of experience and passion for the arts, culture, and heritage sectors. Their selection reflects a commitment to balanced representation across different artforms, geographical areas, and community demographics.

Alongside the new appointments, Council has unveiled the RADF Local Priorities for 2025–2028, developed through community consultation involving over 230 responses from local residents and arts sector participants.

The six priority areas for arts development over the next three years are:

  1. Support for Live Events – particularly music and theatre that offer new performance opportunities and engage young people.
  2. Creative Skills Development – with a focus on visual arts workshops that are accessible, inclusive, and locally delivered.
  3. Increased Use of Facilities – encouraging arts activities in existing venues and non-traditional spaces through support for planning, logistics, and access.
  4. Sustainable Growth of Arts Activities – by expanding current offerings and building the capacity of local arts organisations and artists.
  5. Partnerships and Collaboration – fostering connections within the arts and with sectors such as education, business and health to drive participation and shared outcomes.
  6. Improved Communication – helping artists and groups better promote their work and connect with audiences throughout the Shire.

These priorities will guide future funding decisions and Council-led initiatives, ensuring a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable arts scene in the region. The next RADF project in the pipeline is a mural planned for the toilet block at Centenary Park in Kuranda which will be delivered later this year.

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Upgrades Underway: Mareeba Shire Capital Projects

Mareeba Shire Council is making strong progress on a number of major capital works projects, with improvements to community facilities, road infrastructure and water services well underway across the region.

Mareeba Heritage Centre and Centenary Park Carpark Footpath Connections
Works are underway at Centenary Park to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility. The project involves the installation of concrete footpaths connecting the car parks on Mammino Street with the Heritage Centre and western parking area. Existing gravel paths are also being refreshed.

In partnership with the Mareeba Lions Club, Council is also laying concrete pads to allow for the future installation of new park seating and two picnic shelters near the playground. Footpath construction is scheduled to begin mid-June, following preliminary gravel pathway profiling completed in late May.

Water Main Renewal Program – Stage 2
As part of Council’s 10-year Water Strategy, ageing asbestos cement water mains are being replaced throughout Mareeba. The 2024–25 program has now completed key pipeline installations on Hort Street, Middlemiss Street, Lloyd Street and Byrnes Street. Final site clean-up works are underway and scheduled to conclude in June.

Mareeba Water Treatment Plant Clarifier Upgrade
To boost water treatment capacity from 200 litres per second (L/s) to 250L/s, Council is undertaking critical upgrades to the Mareeba Water Treatment Plant. Recent works include the installation of new walkways and chemical mixers, as part of a broader clarifier upgrade that will relieve pressure on the system and support increased water production for the community.

Herberton/Constance Streets Intersection Upgrade
With support from the Queensland Government through the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS), Council has nearly completed major upgrades at the Herberton and Constance Streets intersection. Works include a new roundabout, traffic islands, kerbing and footpaths. Asphalt works and road line marking are complete, with final lighting and electrical works due by late June.

Chewko Road Rehabilitation, Widen and Seal
Another key road project nearing completion is the rehabilitation and widening of Chewko Road, funded 50% through the TIDS program. Pavement and sealing works were completed in April, including asphalt resurfacing. Final line marking is set for June, marking the full completion of the project.

Kuranda Recreation Centre Tennis LED Lighting Upgrade
Under the 2024–25 Annual Facilities LED Lighting Program, the tennis courts at the Kuranda Recreation Centre are receiving a major lighting upgrade. The existing lighting infrastructure has been removed, and new conduit and cable works have been completed.

The new lighting system, designed to meet Australian Standards for recreational tennis, will feature six new LED lighting poles and luminaires. Installation is scheduled to commence in June, providing enhanced night-time play and energy efficiency.

2024–2025 Bitumen Reseal and Asphalt Program
As part of Council’s commitment to maintaining local road infrastructure, the 2024–25 Bitumen Reseal and Asphalt Program is well underway. Reseals in Chillagoe and Bilwon have been completed. The contractor will continue with reseals in Kuranda, Speewah, and Arriga in June. The program will cover over 96,000m² of road surface, with line marking to follow where required.

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