General News
21 October, 2025
Annual report on a ‘successful year’
STRONG service delivery, infrastructure upgrades, a “robust financial position” and community-focused initiatives, were the key highlights in this year’s Mareeba Shire Council annual report.
Tabled at last Wednesday’s council meeting, the 2024-25 report provides a snapshot of the council’s work, which reflected a “very successful year”, according to Mayor Angela Toppin.
Among the year’s key achievements was the completion of the Coondoo Street upgrade in Kuranda, which improved lighting, footpaths and added fairy lights in the heritage-listed fig trees, enhancing safety and street appeal.
Major progress was also made under the council’s water strategy, with upgrades to the booster pump and filtration system at the Mareeba Water Treatment Plant.
With Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements from State and Federal governments, restoration projects were completed across the shire, including Bushy Creek Bridge on Mt Lewis Rd in Julatten, Jarawee Rd and Barron Falls Rd in Kuranda, and Emerald End Rd and Carmen Rd in Mareeba.
Across community support, council maintained parks and open spaces, supported community organisations, and delivered public art projects including new murals at Geraghty Park in Julatten, and Mareeba Bicentennial Lakes Precinct, as well as the sculpture at the School of Arts in Irvinebank.
Council also hosted regular events including the Multicultural Festival, Great Wheelbarrow Race and Seniors Morning Tea.
Another major initiative this year had been the launch of Project Blueprint, a long-term revitalisation plan for the Mareeba CBD shaped by community feedback.
Cr Amy Braes, who chairs the project’s standing committee, told the council she was particularly proud to be part of the “really collaborative approach that’s been taken to the complex social issues facing our community”.
Working together with the many organisations within the shire meant “we can achieve impacts that are greater than can be achieved alone” in the “push for public change in our community”.
“I extend my thanks to every person who volunteers their time, or supports a cause, or contributes to improving our community’s future,” she said.
From a development perspective, Cr Braes congratulated council for “working in the small business-friendly space”, and developing partnerships such as with the State Library of Queensland, which delivers ongoing lunch and learn sessions “at no cost to the local shire.”
Deputy Mayor Lenore Wyatt commended the tourism efforts by the council, providing over $500,000 in investment, and also noted the volunteer input into visitor information centres, of almost 17,000 hours.
“Another highlight for me was the over $300,000 in assistance to our community,” she said.
“The report shows how much we as a council support the community and events. And on the back of Savannah in the Round, we are getting known for being a place of events!”
The year also brought moments of reflection and change in the council.
“We express our deepest condolences to the family of Councillor Kevin Davies who tragically passed away in January 2025,” Mayor Toppin said in the report.
“His loss is deeply felt by all who had the privilege of working alongside him.”
In April, council “warmly welcomed Councillor Mladen Bosnic to the chamber”.
Snapshot
Finance:
Operating surplus of $21M
Low debt levels with a loan balance of $6.1M
Community:
Community groups and organisations supported: 109
Regional Arts Development fund contribution: $48,417
Community Partnerships Program: $329,726
Subsidised Land and Facilities for community groups: 55
Public art installations at Julatten, Irvinebank, Bi-Lakes Project, Kuranda
Social housing duplex construction in Mareeba, funding agreement for triplex social housing investment
Project Blueprint
Local disaster education sessions in schools
Service Statistics:
Dwellings approved: 146
Planning Development applications: 54
Building approvals: 360
Land sales at Mareeba Industrial Park: $1,049,344
Visitor Info centres: Visitors: 162,976, Volunteer hours: 16,738
Dogs registered: 3,997
Waste disposed at Springmount: 4,692 tonne
Recyclable materials collected: 2,585 tonne
Libraries: Membership: 9,189
Swimming pool admissions: 45,338
Public Hall usage: 2,389
Caravan Park site rentals: 27,643
Key Capital expenditure:
$3.5M – Mareeba Water Treatment plant
$2.4M – Mareeba water mains replacements
$2.6M – widen and seal parts of Ootan Rd
$9.8M – Gamboola Bridge construction
$3.6M – Bushy Creek Bridge construction
$1M – Coondoo St upgrade
$1.4M – Herberton/Constance St upgrade
$1.5M – Emerald End culvert replacement.
To see the full annual report, visit the council’s website.
