Items of Interest – Ordinary Council Meeting, 6 March 2024

The following items were addressed at the Ordinary Meeting of Mareeba Shire Council on Wednesday, 6 March 2024.

MAREEBA SHIRE COUNCILLOR CANDIDATES. 2

COUNCIL RE-SIGNS REEF GUARDIAN COMMITMENT. 3

CAPITAL WORKS CONTINUE. 4

CONTAINER RECYCLING SOLUTION EXPANDED IN KURANDA.. 6

WORK CONTINUES AT THE MAREEBA WATER TREATMENT PLANT. 7

COUNCIL PARKS AND OPEN SPACES ACTIVITIES FOR FEBRUARY. 8

FREE DOMESTIC GREEN WASTE DAYS TAKING PLACE IN APRIL. 9

MAREEBA SHIRE COUNCILLOR CANDIDATES

6 March 2024

With the Queensland Local Government election fast approaching on Saturday, 16 March 2024, Mareeba Shire Council has published a website page to provide the community some information about the Councillor Candidates.

“Council has listened to community feedback and has provided a place for all eleven Candidates to introduce themselves to Mareeba Shire voters,” explained a spokesperson for Mareeba Shire Council.

“Each Candidate provided their own profile, photo and contact details. In the spirit of fairness, the order in which the Candidates are displayed on the page will be updated each workday based on a randomly generated list”.

If there are any residents who are unable to access the online page, please contact Council for assistance.

Mareeba Shire residents will be voting to fill the six positions for the Councillors.

As Angela Toppin was the only nominee for the position of Mayor, no election for this position will be held and she will officially be declared as the Mayor after the election on 16 March.

Early voting will be between Monday, 4 March and Friday, 15 March 2024.

For more information about how and where to vote, residents are encouraged to contact the Queensland Electoral Commission (1300 881 665 or [email protected]) or visit their website.

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COUNCIL RE-SIGNS REEF GUARDIAN COMMITMENT

6 March 2024

At today’s Ordinary Council Meeting, Council endorsed the continued partnership with Reef Guardian Council and signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

“The Reef Guardian Council program is a collaborative stewardship arrangement between local governments in the Great Barrier Reef catchment and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority area,” Mayor Angela Toppin explained.

“The program recognises that local and regional approaches are central to protecting and managing the Reef and the communities it supports.”

“There is no cost to being a member of the program and benefits include eligibility for specific grants, access to a network of like-minded Councils and support to produce and deliver an action plan that addresses the key threats to the Reef.”

“While Mareeba Shire is not a coastal area, many of our residents live in the Barron River catchment, and what we do on land can have a direct impact on the Reef.”

“We are connected to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park by the Barron River, which flows through Mareeba Shire, before cascading down the Barron River Falls, in Kuranda, down to Cairns and out to the Reef.”

“Reef Guardian activities achieved by the Council in the past year include securing funding over three years from the Reef Guardian Council Grants Program to improve the resilience of the sewerage network in the Barron River Catchment.”

“This project will upgrade the Barron River Catchment Sewerage Infrastructure by remediating up to 1000 sewer manholes to meet the Catchment Development Action outlined in the Mareeba Shire Council Reef Action Plan.”

“This practical, on-ground action, will increase and strengthen the capacity of the existing sewer network in Mareeba and Kuranda to mitigate climate change and build resilience by protecting and restoring coastal habitats such as seagrasses and mangroves.”

“Council has also opened a buy back shop at the Mareeba Transfer Station to reduce landfill and fund more recycling initiatives.”

“Mareeba Shire Council is proud to be part of the Reef Guardian Council Program. The program provides education for the community, and it also inspires and acknowledges improved environmental practices by local governments.”

“We can all do our bit to protect the Reef for future generations to enjoy,” Mayor Toppin concluded.

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CAPITAL WORKS CONTINUE

6 March 2024

Mareeba Shire Council is continuing to deliver a number of projects across the Shire to enhance the liveability for all residents.

In Kuranda, residents and visitors have seen the return of the Hans Pehl Sign Artwork in town.

Hans Pehl, a North Queensland based artist and blacksmith, has used approximately 10 tonnes of iron to make more than 100 pieces of metalwork art over the last thirty years.

“My artwork includes a range of bins, handrails, chairs, street bollards, street signs and native animals and insects found in Kuranda,” Hans Pehl said.

“When I was first looking for inspiration for the project, I was sitting in a local café and noticed how visitors were often in a hurry. It was then that I thought to create artwork that would encourage visitors to slow down and appreciate our unique ‘village in the rainforest’.”

Council recently worked with the artist to repurpose the original street directional signs after the new way finder signage was installed throughout the town.

There are different themes for the signs, including the capital cities from the largest international visitor markets for the region, Australian capitals, and Australian tourism attractions.

“It is great to see these iconic signs back in Kuranda with a new purpose and I hope our residents and visitors will enjoy the signs for many years to come,” said Mayor Angela Toppin.

Another project in Kuranda, the refreshing of the Skate Bowl is progressing well. The work is being undertaken by TRACQS with Council providing reinforcing, crusher dust and temporary fencing. The project should be completed by the end of April, weather depending.

The Bicentennial Lakes Revitalisation Project in Mareeba is progressing well, and work has commenced on the Mason Street playground, pump track and toilet block.

“The toilet block will be enhanced with a mural by local artist Violet Shaban that features four native bird species and four native plants that should be completed by late March.”

This will be the eighth mural to be created through Council’s Public Mural Action Plan which aims to enhance town beautification, reduce graffiti and increase cultural tourism.

The mural is funded through the Regional Arts Development Fund which is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Mareeba Shire Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.

Another project, to improve pedestrian safety at the Constance and Hastie Street intersection in Mareeba, has been practically completed.

“The intersection is used by up to 500 vehicles per hour at school drop off and pick up times and there is also significant morning and afternoon pedestrian traffic associated with school, kindergarten and childcare facilities.”

Paul Rayner, Principal of St. Thomas of Villanova Parish School said, “This redesigned pedestrian crossing at Hastie Street will ensure all school children and members of the Mareeba community can cross there in greater safety.”

“The school community is proud it was able to contribute $50,000 in funding raised from managing the Mareeba Markets to the project,” Principal Rayner concluded.

Additional funds were contributed by the Queensland Government through the School Transport Infrastructure Program and Mareeba Shire Council.

“This project provides an improved intersection layout and street lighting which will result in increased pedestrian safety by separating vehicles and pedestrians,” Mayor Toppin concluded.

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CONTAINER RECYCLING SOLUTION EXPANDED IN KURANDA

6 March 2024

February saw the installation of new ‘Containers for Change’ public street bins in Kuranda for the recycling of eligible containers.

Council has partnered with Container Exchange (QLD) Limited (COEX) and Mareeba Recycling to expand eligible container recycling solutions in the Mareeba Shire.

Brad Luders from Mareeba Recycling explains, “We have worked with Mareeba Shire for just shy of five years to deliver the Containers for Change Scheme. Our combined efforts with community buy-in has delivered positive impacts on the environment across the region.”

“We have proposed three solutions to enhance the program and the street bins follow the installation of the Kuranda Bag Drop, a container style bag drop solution, installed in January,” Brad concluded.

The Kuranda Bag Drop was used by 59 customers within the first month of installation.

“Operationally, there are issues occurring where the customer bags are breaking upon deposit due to impact inside the container. Mareeba Recycling is looking to install a slide mechanism on the inside of the container to mitigate this,” Mayor Toppin said.

“Residents are reminded to please place their containers in sturdy bags or boxes to ensure the containers stay together.”

The third and final solution will see the installation of a waste transfer station bulk bin. The initial rollout has been suggested for Mareeba and Kuranda, followed by Julatten and potentially other transfer stations across the shire.

Visit Council’s website for further information on recycling options available across the Shire.

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WORK CONTINUES AT THE MAREEBA WATER TREATMENT PLANT

6 March 2024

At the Ordinary Council Meeting on Wednesday, 6 March 2024, it was reported that Council is making significant progress towards the completion of two critical projects at the Mareeba Water Treatment Plant.

As part of the Mareeba Shire Water Strategy, Council is committed to undertaking upgrades to the Treatment plant to cater for future growth and to ensure that safe and reliable drinking water continues to be supplied to residents and businesses.

Mayor Toppin explains, “Upgrades to the Mareeba Water Plant Booster Pump Station will achieve two important elements; to lift the firefighting capacity in the Mareeba Township and to ensure Council meets the minimum required water pressure standards to its residents due to the increase in residential development particularly on the eastern and southern side of Mareeba.”

“The construction of the pump station building is progressing well with the structural steel framing and grouting completed and the external staircase and platform support concreted in.”

Another project, to upgrade the raw water pump station at the Mareeba Water Treatment Plant is progressing well.

“This upgrade will move the pump station above the 1-in-100-year return river flood level and replace the existing pumps with new pumps. The installation of the underground electrical conduits has been completed and the construction of the electrical switch room building, and concrete ground slab is progressing well.”

Council is requesting the community to reduce water usage whilst these critical infrastructure projects are being delivered.

At this stage, Council is not enforcing water restrictions, however it may be necessary to introduce restrictions at short notice to enable certainty of water supply to residents. Council is monitoring the situation and will notify the public if water restrictions need to be put in place.

Residents are encouraged to refer to Council’s “Be Water Wise” fact sheet for tips to reduce their water usage.

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COUNCIL PARKS AND OPEN SPACES ACTIVITIES FOR FEBRUARY

6 March 2024

Mareeba Shire Council maintains 252 hectares of parks, gardens and open spaces across the Shire, including mowing in more than 50 parks.

Council programs its mowing schedule on a seasonal basis and at today’s Ordinary Council Meeting it was reported that with the onset of the wet season, parks in Mareeba, Dimbulah, Kuranda, Mt Molloy, Julatten, and Chillagoe are now on fortnightly mowing schedule, with sporting fields in Mareeba being mowed twice weekly.

“Council has engaged contractors to mow the Biboohra township, Irvinebank and Watsonville cemeteries, the Rail Trail and parks, including Shaban, Mooraridji and Eales Parks.”

Mayor Toppin said, “The recent wet weather has impacted the mowing schedule in certain parts of the Shire, with grass growing quicker and access difficulties with the boggy ground.”

“In the event of significant rainfall our mowing services are rescheduled as soon as it is safe and practical to do so.”

“In February, our Parks and Gardens team has undertaken hedging and weeding, replaced a baby seat in Centenary Park, Kuranda, trimmed trees on scheduled school bus runs and to allow Australia Post to get access to several residential mailboxes. Furthermore, staff assisted with eleven burials including wall internments.”

“I would like to thank our residents for their patience as we work around the conditions to continue to maintain our beautiful parks and gardens,” concluded Mayor Toppin.

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FREE DOMESTIC GREEN WASTE DAYS TAKING PLACE IN APRIL

6 March 2024

Mareeba Shire Council offers free domestic green waste disposal every quarter and the next scheduled days will occur in April 2024.

“The free green waste days are a great opportunity for residents to maintain their properties in preparation for bush fire, flooding and cyclones,” said Mayor Angela Toppin.

The upcoming dates are:

Saturday, 13 April and Sunday 14 April 2024

Saturday, 13 April and Tuesday, 16 April 2024

Thursday, 11 April and Sunday, 14 April 2024

Wednesday, 10 April and Saturday, 13 April 2024

Thursday, 11 April and Saturday, 13 April 2024

This is for clean uncontaminated domestic quantities of green waste only. Multiple loads will be accepted on these days.

For Transfer Station operating times and locations please visit Council’s website.

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