Items of Interest – Ordinary Council Meeting, 16 August 2023

The following items were addressed at the Ordinary Meeting of Mareeba Shire Council on Wednesday, 16 August 2023.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT TOTALS OVER $380,000

At the Ordinary Meeting of Mareeba Shire Council on Wednesday, 16 August 2023, it was reported that community groups and organisations received support totalling $384,117 in the 2022/2023 financial year.

“We are delighted to report on the significant level of community support provided to groups and events in 2022/2023. Support was provided through a number of ways including cash and in-kind assistance and operational donations, interest free and low interest loans, and support for hall management to eligible groups and events,” Mayor Angela Toppin said.

“In total, 105 community groups and organisations were supported in the 2022/23 financial year. The cash donations totalled $194,800 and in-kind assistance $33,500. What is more, Council provided rate rebates and charge remissions to the value of $140,700 and a community loan to the value of $5,000.”

“Additional support was provided through Council’s Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF). RADF supports projects that build cultural capacity, cultural innovation and community wellbeing in the Shire and community grants to the value of $10,117 was awarded in the previous financial year.”

“RADF is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Mareeba Shire Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland and individuals, groups and not-for-profit organisations can apply for grants each year,” Mayor Toppin explains.

“Community groups and events make a significant difference to our Shire and our residents. Council supports the volunteer efforts of groups to enhance the liveability of our towns and by working in partnership we can achieve so much more than working alone,” concluded Mayor Toppin.

Customers and Community Service Officers are available to provide grants assistance for groups applying for funding. Visit Council’s website for more information.

CELEBRATE OUR RICH MULTICULTURISM AT THE MAREEBA MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL

At the Ordinary Council Meeting on Wednesday, 16 August 2023, Mareeba Shire Mayor Angela Toppin said she is looking forward to the annual Mareeba Multicultural Festival taking place next week Saturday.

“The Mareeba Multicultural Festival is coming to Mareeba on Saturday, 26 August 2023 and I would like to thank Councillor Mary Graham, Chair of the Festival Committee, and the Committee members for all their efforts in organising this 25th anniversary event,” Mayor Toppin said.

“This event will not be possible without our volunteers, and I would like to invite residents and visitors to join us for a celebration of the rich multiculturalism which defines the Mareeba Shire,” Mayor Toppin concluded.

Chair of the Committee, Cr Mary Graham, said that event attendees are guaranteed a magnificent day in Mareeba’s Arnold Park at this free event.

“The Mareeba Shire is home to people from over 75 different nationalities and cultural backgrounds, and the festival celebrates this diversity, and harmony.”

“The festival includes dance and music by hundreds of performers from different ethnic groups and fabulous food from more than 20 stalls, providing opportunities to experience many different cuisines.”

“I would like to thank the generous support from the Queensland Government and many local businesses who make this event, and the day-long raffle draws a reality.”

“Whether it is your first festival, or fifteenth, come along and join the celebration at Arnold Park, Mareeba on Saturday, 26 August 2023,” Cr Graham concluded.

LAND PROTECTION PRIORITISED

Mareeba Shire Council continues to prioritise land protection and weed management activities across the Shire.

“At today’s Ordinary Council Meeting it was reported that Council Officers continues to monitor thirteen Parthenium Weed sites and that Siam Weed has been removed from all known sites at Gorge Creek in Watsonville, Sandy Creek in Mt Molloy, Back Creek in Petford and Holmes Creek in Mount Carbine,” Mayor Toppin said.

“What is more, Officers assisted the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) in herbicide treatment of a large patch of Miconia Racemosa in Fairyland Drive, Kuranda.”

“Land protection generally takes on some form of partnership, whether that is with neighbouring local government authorities, residents or traditional owner groups. We are seeing more and more evidence that working together results in much greater outcomes for the land.”

“Weed management and land protection are critically important to this Council and a total of twelve wild pigs were trapped and put down in July 2023.”

“Pig traps were provided to landholders in Kuranda and Speewah. The landholder in Speewah held concerns that the pigs are competing for the cassowary food supply and, as it is the nesting season for cassowaries, the pigs prey on the cassowary eggs. The pig traps provided to landholders are designed to be cassowary safe.”

“I invite community members to visit Council’s website to know their biosecurity obligation with the aim of identification, removal and eradication of invasive plants and animals. Access Council’s Community Biosecurity Plan online by clicking here,” Mayor Angela Toppin concluded.

COUNCIL PROJECTS PROGRESSING WELL ACROSS THE SHIRE

Mareeba Shire Council is making significant progress towards the completion of capital projects throughout the Shire.

“Council’s Capital Works program is focussed on renewal and upgrade of Council infrastructure to achieve Council’s corporate vision of a growing, confident, and sustainable Shire. The program is funded through a combination of Council’s own funding and external grants and subsidies,” Mayor Angela Toppin said.

One project to upgrade the Bicentennial Lakes Gravity Sewer Main commenced in mid-May and is progressing well.

“The project includes the installation of a new 450 mm gravity trunk sewer main, sewer manholes and connections and the relocation of and upgrading of water mains located at Keeble Street and Jacobsen Street to service our growing community in Mareeba.”

The project is grant funded through the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) via the Qld Resilience & Risk Reduction Funding Program (QRRRF) and is expected to be completed in November 2023.

“Another project, to undertake curve and culvert widenings on Springmount Road are ongoing,” Mayor Toppin said.

“Council received Federal Government Funding from the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP) to complete this important project. The Federal grant will cover 80% of the design and construction costs, with the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS) contributing 10% and Mareeba Shire Council the remaining 10%.”

“The project scope includes the widening and bitumen sealing of curves and associated culverts and extensive works to de-water the existing culverts. While the clear and grub and dewatering activities have been completed, the culvert extensions and headwall installations are ongoing,” Mayor Toppin concluded.