General News
13 November, 2026
Back-up shelter near completion
AS the wet season approaches, Mareeba Shire Council’s plan to have another community shelter in times of major weather events is nearing completion.
Works on the Cedric Davies Community Centre have been undertaken to make it a “Last Place of Refuge” for local residents during disaster emergencies.
During discussion of the September Infrastructure Services Capital Works Monthly Report at its recent meeting, Council heard that most of the works to transform the centre - which provides a library and function centre for community, would be complete within the month.
The works involved making the existing building cyclone-safe, with upgrades to the existing kitchen and amenities in the function room, installation of an emergency generator and associated electrical upgrades to facilitate emergency power supply, and the installation of debris screens to all external windows to improve their resilience during cyclone events.
A progress update said the generator and electrical works were complete, upgrades to the kitchen and bathroom facilities were nearing completion, and installation of the external screens had begun in mid-October.
The conversion of the function centre will provide Council with an additional community resilience asset and would be a last option for use.
Council heard the refuge would likely be managed by Mareeba community guardians.
Community guardians have a key volunteer role, serving as a trusted point of contact between the council and the community, especially before, during, and after disaster events.
