General News
10 July, 2025
Capital works on target and going strong
THE Mareeba Shire Council has delivered a full capital works program this financial year, spending approximately $28 million worth up to June this year, $4 million more than was allocated in the 2024-25 Budget.
As the new financial year approaches, Mayor Angela Toppin said that while many of the council’s projects are delivered over multiple years, “we have made solid progress throughout the 2024–25 financial year”.
Major projects completed included the Herberton-Constance Street roundabout in Mareeba, Mareeba Water Treatment Plant upgrades and the revitalisation of Coondoo Street in Kuranda.
“A number of other significant projects remain underway and are scheduled to continue into 2025–26, including Constance Street sewer main upgrade in Mareeba, Bicentennial Lakes North improvements in Mareeba, Geraghty Park playground upgrades in Julatten, and widening of Leadingham Creek Road in Dimbulah,” Mayor Toppin said.
“We have received a lot of positive feedback from the community regarding the new roundabout at the Herberton-Constance Street intersection, with better traffic flow, visibility and safety,” she added.
“The works are progressing very well at Centenary Park next to the Heritage Museum. The concrete paths and fencing will be completed very soon, improving accessibility of this well-used space.”
Council had also installed concrete bases at the park, and the Mareeba Lions Club is planning to add new park seating and two picnic shelters near the playground.
Among other community benefits, the Kuranda Recreation Centre’s tennis courts are receiving a major lighting upgrade. The existing lighting infrastructure has been removed, and new conduit and cable works had been completed.
Designed to meet Australian Standards the courts will have six new LED lighting poles and luminaires, which would improve night-time play and energy efficiency.
As part of council’s 10-year Water Strategy, ageing asbestos cement water mains were being replaced throughout Mareeba. The 2024–25 program had completed key pipeline installations on Hort Street, Middlemiss Street, Lloyd Street and Byrnes Street. Final site clean-up works were scheduled for the end of June.
To boost water treatment capacity from 200 litres per second (L/s) to 250L/s, council had undertaken critical upgrades to the Mareeba Water Treatment Plant.
Recent works included the installation of new walkways and chemical mixers as part of a broader clarifier upgrade, which would relieve pressure on the system and support increased water production for the community.
In road improvements, the popular Herberton/Constance Street roundabout also included traffic islands, kerbing and footpaths, asphalt works and road line marking, with final lighting and electrical works also scheduled to be finished by the end of June.
Another key road project, the rehabilitation and widening of Chewko Road, was also due to finish at the end of last month. Pavement and sealing works were completed in April, including asphalt resurfacing, with final line marking to complete the jobs.
The 2024–2025 Bitumen Reseal and Asphalt Program, which covers over 96,000m2 of road surface had completed reseals in Chillagoe and Bilwon. The contractor was scheduled to continue with reseals in Kuranda, Speewah and Arriga throughout June.
