General News
2 July, 2025
CBD pop-up shop bursting with ideas
MORE than 280 people shared their ideas and vision for Mareeba’s main shopping area at a colourful pop-up shop last week.
The Byrnes Street shop, opened from Tuesday for two-and-a-half days, offered drop-in sessions, walk-and-talk tours and a community workshop.
“I want to sincerely thank everyone who took the time to drop in, join a walk-through or community session, or complete the survey,” Cr Amy Braes said on Thursday.
“The community shared what they love, what they’d like to see improved, their suggestions for quick wins, and some bold, long-term ideas. We also heard personal reflections on Mareeba’s identity and what makes this place unique.”
The event was part of Project Blueprint, a new planning system designed to enable Mareeba Shire Council to revitalise the town’s business precinct.
Announced earlier this year, it received $2.1 million through the Australian Government’s Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program and has established a community-based stakeholder group, chaired by Cr Braes, to guide construction-ready plans to future-proof Mareeba.
By Thursday, the pop-up shop featured a colourful array of wall charts, filled with hundreds of comments about improvements, town identity, big ideas, and what needs fixing.
Among the improvements comments, many ideas had numerous ticks beside them, indicating their popularity, such as: improving or building new public toilets; better drainage; seats, shade, shelters and water stations; heavy vehicle by-pass; night-time safety issues; get rid of slippery tiles; fix curbs which are too high; better lighting; have a homeless centre; encourage top-of-shop living; CCTV cameras installed; artwork in vacant shop frontages; and better mobility access.
Ideas for livening up the CBD were to encourage more night-time trading and general night-life, such as music, street markets, a pool hall for kids; create a “hub” where people can gather for local events; and add more historical references.
When asked what the best thing was about Mareeba, comments led with “we grow everything!” Other positive comments included: the Gateway to the Cape and the Gateway to the Gulf; a country town feel; the coffee capital of Australia; a friendly community; easy to park; multicultural markets and “better than Cairns”.
As for identity, one chart put it simply: cattle, coffee, food hub, tobacco, Tinaroo Dam, Irrigation and AG; Mareeba – “meeting of the waters”; farming; weather – 300 sunny days; and hot pot of cultures.
Cr Braes said the input was extensive and had brought people together with ideas.
“The next step is for the consultants to review all feedback and translate it into functional, fundable plans to guide the CBD’s future. This process will take time, with council and the Stakeholder Reference Group working closely with the consultants throughout,” she said.
“The resulting plans will include practical improvements to stormwater drainage, accessibility, seating, lighting, and opportunities for beautification and revitalisation – all aimed at delivering long-term economic and social benefits for Mareeba.
“This really is a once-in-a-generation – perhaps even once-in-a-lifetime – opportunity to take a step back and develop a strategic infrastructure plan that sets out a clear, cohesive vision for Mareeba’s town centre.
“If you didn’t get a chance to have your say this week, it’s not too late. The survey remains open until Friday, 25 July, and is available online and at council’s customer service centre. I encourage everyone to take this opportunity to leave their fingerprints on the future of the Mareeba CBD.”
