Items of Interest: Council Meeting – Wednesday 19 December 2018

Council today adopted a draft Waste Management Services Strategy 2018-2027 which is now available for public consultation.

The Strategy has been developed to fulfil Council’s statutory obligation and prepare a Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan.

Mayor Tom Gilmore said the Strategy demonstrates Council’s commitment to be environmentally responsible.

“The Strategy addresses strategic management of the community’s waste to enhance liveability and proactively mitigate against inappropriate waste management,” he said.

“The Strategy aims to do this by ensuring delivery of cost effective services, collaborative partnerships and accountable governance over the long term.”

A copy of the Strategy plus a snapshot will be available on Council’s website. Residents can have their say on the Strategy during the public consultation period by filling out an online survey which can also be found on Council’s website.

Mareeba Shire Council will enter into an agreement with the Mareeba and Memorial Bowls Club Incorporated to acquire the land and facilities on Anzac Avenue, to develop a hub for community services and activities including sport and recreation, library service and other associated community activities.

Mayor Tom Gilmore said that while the proposal put forward today is exciting, it is dependent on securing funds before the development can proceed to the next stage. “Various components will need to be costed for a grant application and cost estimates following a Quantity Surveyors report are acceptable by Council when presented,” Cr Gilmore said.

“Then the grant application must be successful for the new and reconfigured facilities to proceed.”

The proposed development would include modifications to the main building to cater for community services, events and training activities, a space for community events and recreational activities and provide space for a modern multi-faceted library service plus the construction of a new clubhouse and synthetic covered bowling green.

Councillor Gilmore said Council has recognised that the size of the current library facilities in Mareeba is insufficient to meet the growing demand from community. “Council has been considering alternative options for this service for quite some time, but until now we have not been able to find anything that is suitable and affordable,” Cr Gilmore said.

“This may be a win-win situation and ultimately the best way forward and hopefully we will see the development occur next year,” he concluded.

A grant application will be submitted early next year while negotiations continue with the management committee of the Mareeba and Memorial Bowls Club.

SPRINGMOUNT ROAD, MAREEBA: Construction work commenced in late August 2018 on the widening, upgrade and sealing of Springmount Road between Middle Creek Road and Oaky Valley Avenue. Drainage works include extending existing culverts and headwalls and the removal and replacing of existing redundant culverts with new box culverts. The project was sealed mid-November and will be line marked prior to the Christmas closedown. The major culvert at Middle Creek will be widened to complete the project in early 2019.

MARY ANDREWS PARK, MAREEBA: The upgrade of Mary Andrews Park car park is now fully complete. The scope of works included a full asphalt seal of the carpark and access. New signage was erected, wheelstops installed and steel bollards replaced the existing timber posts.