Capital Works Continue

Mareeba Shire Council is continuing to deliver a number of projects across the Shire with many more planned for the next 12 months.

Mareeba Shire Mayor Angela Toppin said projects across the Shire are enhancing the liveability for all residents. “Council’s main focus is to continue maintaining and upgrading essential infrastructure while identifying opportunities to enhance our Shire for all residents and visitors,” Cr Toppin said.

“By continuing to deliver our capital works program, in spite of COVID, we are creating and supporting employment, not only for Council’s workforce but for contractors and local sub-contractors alike.”

The Barron Falls Walking Trail Project is progressing well and is on track to be completed by the end of the year.

“The Barron Falls Walking Trail will be a breathtaking experience for locals and tourists to explore world heritage rainforest,” Mayor Toppin said.

The new walking trail connecting the Kuranda township with the Barron Falls lookout will offer visitors to Kuranda a link between Jum Rum Creek Conservation Park and the Barron Gorge National Park, alleviating foot traffic on Barron Falls Road. This project and the new wayfinding signage that will be installed later this year, are both funded through the Kuranda Infrastructure Fund.

Stage two of the Byrnes Street Beautification Project is complete, creating a revived and refreshed main thoroughfare through the CBD. The project was funded by the Queensland Government’s Works for Queensland Program and included the removal of vegetation, repairing isolated pavement defects, renewing the existing asphalt surfacing and constructing new garden islands which were planted with trees to match the streetscape on the western side.

“The project was completed ahead of schedule and we have received positive comments from business owners and the community,” Mayor Toppin said.

Council is also continuing works on the John Doyle Bridge upgrade in Mareeba with the new concrete deck being constructed in stages over the coming weeks.

“The upgrade will increase the lifespan of the bridge, provide a reliable transport route and cater for residential growth in the eastern area of Mareeba,” Mayor Toppin said.

Due to the large scale of the project, the works program has been rescheduled.

“I thank everyone for their ongoing patience and cooperation as Council continues to deliver this major project.”

Council anticipates that the bridge will re-open to traffic in mid-November.

This project is jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Bridges Renewal Program, the Queensland Government’s Works for Queensland Program and Mareeba Shire Council.

“Council has started work on the widening of Chewko Road in Mareeba and the water main upgrade on Rob Veivers Upgrade in Kuranda,” Mayor Toppin said.

“We look forward to seeing many more projects happening around the Shire as we progress with our capital works program,” Mayor Toppin concluded.