Items of Interest – Council Meeting 16 November 2022

At the Ordinary Council Meeting on Wednesday, 16 November 2022, Council approved the renaming of the Groves Creek Bridge, Speewah to the Bob Madden Bridge.

“Bob was a long-term chairman of the Speewah District Residents Association (SDRA) and as chairman his contribution was immense,” said Annie Austin, SDRA Chair.

“While Bob’s many altruistic activities extended to the broader Kuranda community in areas such as the Kuranda Paper, the Kuranda Infrastructure Planning group, the Speewah Fire Brigade, permaculture, and bat conservation, the SDRA submitted the renaming of the bridge to Council in account of Bob’s extraordinary work in telecommunications in Speewah.” Ms Austin explains.

“Bob had a genuine desire to help his local community and as part of his work to improve telecommunications, he actively lobbied for improvements to the bridge to prevent Speewah being isolated during times of heavy rain.”

“The SDRA would like to commemorate Bob’s contribution to the community into the future and demonstrate respect and appreciation for his personal approach to volunteerism,” Ms Austin concluded.

“Bob’s legacy lives on in many areas of Kuranda and Speewah, and the naming of the bridge in his honour will be a visible representation of his legacy,” Mayor Angela Toppin said.

“Council considers input from community members for the naming of roads and water crossings and submissions involving a request for a name which is not already on an approved list for the relevant district, will be referred to Council for approval,” Mayor Toppin explained.

“It is a great privilege for Council to rename the bridge after Bob. The signs will be manufactured in the near future, and we look forward to the official renaming of the bridge at an event early in 2023,” Mayor Toppin concluded.

Mareeba Shire Council endorsed the Reef Guardian Action Plan 2022-2023 at the Ordinary Council Meeting on Wednesday, 16 November 2022.

“The Reef Guardian Program recognises, to effectively manage and protect the Reef, a coordinated effort is required from industries, communities, and all levels of government,” Mayor Angela Toppin said.

“Council has been included in a new report showcasing the proactive initiatives local councils are taking to reduce climate change impacts within the Great Barrier Reef region,” Mayor Angela Toppin concluded.

Councillor Lenore Wyatt, who represents Council at the Program explains, “Council has been an active Reef Guardian Council, delivering initiatives focused on auditing energy consumption, investing on solar energy at nine council-owned facilities, implementing cool burns to reduce fuel loads across the Shire and educating community members on a range of environmental and sustainable topics.”

“Council also opened a Buy Back Shop in August 2022 to promote diversion of resources into the circular economy, encourage dialogue and minimise waste generation,” Cr Wyatt concluded.

Mareeba Shire Council is one of 19 councils in the Reef Guardian Councils program, a collaborative stewardship arrangement between local governments in the Great Barrier Reef catchment and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority CEO Josh Thomas said climate change is the greatest threat to the Great Barrier Reef and coral reefs worldwide.

“The Reef Authority’s climate change position statement emphasises that only the strongest and fastest possible actions to decrease global greenhouse gas emissions will reduce the risks and limit the impacts of climate change on the Reef,” Mr Thomas said.

“Climate change is a global issue, requiring a global response, however, local and regional approaches are central to protecting and managing the Great Barrier Reef, and we applaud the efforts our Reef Guardian Council partners are taking to accelerate actions to decrease emissions,” Mr Thomas concluded.

The Reef Guardian Councils Climate change snapshot can be viewed online.

Mareeba Shire Council is making significant progress towards the completion of the project to renew and upgrade the Granite Creek Pump Station, located on Byrnes Street, Mareeba.

Mayor Angela Toppin explained the need for the works to be completed.

“The sewage pump station services all sewered areas of the Mareeba township south of Granite Creek, and it discharges the wastewater into two rising mains on the northern side of the creek, prior to entering the Mareeba Wastewater Treatment Plant,” Mayor Angela Toppin said.

“The original pump station, built in 1965, has served the community well for decades. The upgrade to the station will meet current design standards and cater for future growth in the catchment area.”

“The works to replace the pump station came on the back of a condition assessment on the 9-metre wet and dry well which identified extensive damage and defects including significant deterioration and rust throughout the facility.”

“Works to remediate the internal divider wall are now completed and a new concrete top is being poured this month. There is a 28-day curing process for the newly poured concrete and during this period other installation works will occur.”

“Council looks forward to the completion of this important project,” Mayor Angela Toppin concluded.

Mareeba Shire Council offers free domestic green waste disposal every quarter and the next scheduled days will occur in early December.

“Council has mulched the green waste at the Mareeba and Kuranda Transfer Station In preparation for the upcoming days,” Mayor Angela Toppin said.

The upcoming dates are:

• Mutchilba Transfer Station Wednesday, 30 November and Saturday, 3 December 2022

• Chillagoe Transfer Station Thursday, 1 December and Saturday, 3 December 2022

• Mt Carbine Transfer Station Thursday, 1 December and Sunday, 4 December 2022

• Dimbulah, Julatten, Kuranda and Mareeba Transfer Stations Saturday, 3 December and Sunday, 4 December 2022

• Almaden, lrvinebank and Mt Molloy Transfer Stations Saturday, 3 December and Sunday, 4 December 2022