Items of Interest: Council Meeting – Wednesday 21 November 2018

Council have awarded a tender for eligible essential public asset restoration works – jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).

The Flaggy Creek Crossing, Mona Mona Road, Mona Mona was a single span laminated timber structure, which suffered catastrophic damage arising from flooding in March 2018.

King Concreting (QLD) Pty Ltd, trading as Civform, is the preferred tenderer for the design and construction of a new single lane concrete bridge, which will replace the existing timber bridge over Flaggy Creek on Mona Mona Road.

Although the temporary crossing will be removed shortly, residents will still have access via Black Mountain Road. Works are set to begin as soon as possible, weather permitting.

Council approved an application for a boutique kennel to be established at Julatten.

The pet retreat will include eight individual timber kennels and capacity to house up to 10 dogs. Each kennel will be fenced with a balcony and exercise area.

Mayor Tom Gilmore said Council officers and the developer had worked together to ensure the amenity impacts to the area are minimised. “While I understand some residents in the area expressed their concerns about noise and increased traffic, our officers have given the application optimal consideration and are comfortable the kennel will meet necessary requirements,” Cr Gilmore said.

“Given that the proposed kennel development is small scale and that reasonable separation distances have been achieved between the kennel use and nearby dwellings, the development is not likely to impact on residential amenity.

“Furthermore, all dogs accommodated in the kennel must be confined to the sound insulated chalets between the hours of 6pm and 7am to mitigate any disturbance for nearby neighbours overnight.”

Mareeba Shire Mayor Tom Gilmore has welcomed a proposed short-term accommodation facility in Mareeba saying the application voices confidence in the Shire.

Council approved budget style accommodation to house up to 148 guests close to Mareeba’s CBD. Cr Gilmore said the development was needed. “There is a demand for accommodation of this kind, and I applaud the developer’s confidence and ambition.”

“Every year Mareeba welcomes hundreds of visitors who travel to our Shire on a working holiday and this accommodation will cater for those people.”

The site will comprise of shared accommodation rooms, kitchen, laundry, BBQ area, communal open spaces, storage areas and parking.

Council is calling for expressions of interest from entities to construct, own and operate an animal boarding and/or refuge facility in Mareeba, that includes an area for Council’s impounded animals.

Mayor Tom Gilmore said the current facility at Hickling Avenue, Mareeba is reaching the end of its effective life and Council is calling for expressions of interest from commercial and not-for-profit interested parties to construct a facility for their own needs, but would also cater for animals found wandering at large. “The facility is very important to the community and we are looking for suitable alternatives to keep it running effectively.” Cr Gilmore said.

“We are open to new ideas from suitable entities as to how best we manage the facility going forward on a long-term lease arrangement.”

Council will hold its January 2019 Ordinary Council meeting on Wednesday 23 January 2019 to accommodate the fact that Council will be closed over the Christmas and New Year period.