NEWS: Council Meeting – Wednesday 23 January 2019

Figures revealed in Council’s Development and Governance quarterly report highlight Mareeba Shire’s healthy attraction to investment. Over $20 million in building approvals were recorded during the last quarter of 2018, totalling $60 million for the calendar year.

Mayor Tom Gilmore said these figures show that Mareeba is a confident and prosperous Shire.

Mayor Tom Gilmore is encouraging residents, businesses and schools to get involved in Clean Up Australia Day 2019 and help beautify the Shire.

“This annual national event is the perfect opportunity to join with family, friends, neighbours and colleagues to remove rubbish accumulating in your street, bushland and waterways,” Cr Gilmore said.

“Council has partnered with the organisers of Clean Up Australia Day and will offer free rubbish disposal at Council’s waste facilities for those participating in the event.”

Council’s alliance with Clean Up Australia Day is aimed at creating a non-financial partnership focusing on joint initiatives to help ensure the success of Clean Up Australia Day events.

Residents and community groups will be responsible for nominating their own Clean Up locations, managing their own activities and delivering rubbish collected to Council waste facilities. Only those who have registered as a participant of the event will be able to take advantage of the free waste disposal.

Key dates for 2019:

Business Clean Up Day – Tuesday 26 February Schools Clean Up Day – Friday 1 March Clean Up Australia Day – Sunday 3 March

To register or for more information visit www.cleanup.org.au.

The proposed community hub for Mareeba has progressed to the next stage, with Council today voting in favour of applying for a government grant to develop the precinct.

Mayor Tom Gilmore said it was an exciting opportunity for the community.

“It is a once in a generation opportunity to secure a suitable and affordable facility for a new library, recreational, training and community service precinct,” Cr Gilmore said.

“The agreement with the Mareeba Bowls Club will benefit the community in a way that would not be possible without access to this facility.”

The Bowls Club has offered the land and site to Council. In exchange, Council will build a new much smaller clubhouse and synthetic green with a long-term lease arrangement for the Club.

Cr Gilmore stressed that this development would only proceed if Council is successful in securing grant funding.

“The whole idea is subject to grant funding. If Council can’t get a grant it won’t proceed and the Library will stay as it is,” he said.

“Council cannot get grant funding to buy a building and Council and the community cannot afford to buy a suitable building – we simply do not have that kind of money available.”