Community & Business
30 March, 2022
Multi-million dollar capital works deliver
MAREEBA Shire Council is nearly halfway through its $42m capital program for this financial year.
Mayor Angela Toppin is happy with the progress, with almost $20 million of works already delivered despite disruption caused by the Covid pandemic.
“Those in construction or development know the challenges of delivering projects on time in this pandemic impacted environment but, as a council, we will continue to pull out all the stops to see these projects through to completion.”
With the shire named as the 6th fastest growing local government area in the State, Mayor Toppin said it was critical to improve core services to cater to the growth, noting that council’s capital works also injected money into the local economy.
“The significant program of works is one of the major drivers for economic development and growth in the shire. As a council, we know that providing quality, modern infrastructure is one of the ways that we can truly encourage and facilitate future growth,” Mayor Toppin said.
One of these projects, aimed at improving transport infrastructure, is the upgrade of the Davies Creek Bridge on Kanervo Road which is progressing well, in spite of the weather.
“Funded by the Australian Government's Bridges Renewal Program, the project has been undertaken, so far, without any road closures, however, the road will be closed for the final stages of the project, after the wet season,” she said.
During this time, traffic would be detoured via Koah Road and Bolton Road. One of the major projects under Council's water strategy is the replacement of the failed asbestos cement pipes at Barang Street in Kuranda which has been completed with all service connections and water main tieins finalised.
“The completion of the Barang St project is another step towards delivering our water strategy where we are aiming to replace between 3-4kms of asbestos cement pipe each year, across the shire,” Mayor Toppin said.
The Barang Street project was funded by Mareeba Shire Council and the State Government's Works for Queensland program and was prioritised due to numerous water main breaks occurring in that location in recent years, as well as issues with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services experiencing difficulty with accessing fire hydrants on the undulating terrain.
A similar project is progressing on the northside of Mareeba, although some delays are expected due to challenges with sourcing certain materials.
“Council will continue to work towards the delivery of this project as the crew moves from Starcke Street to Hampe Street and then onto Moody Street,” Mayor Toppin said.
The Granite Creek Sewage Pump Station upgrade is underway in Mareeba, although the works have been impacted by recent heavy rainfall.
“The high ground water table has resulted in a delay with the removal of the red brick building, however, works are continuing with the internal structures,” Mayor Toppin stated.
The sewage pump station services all sewered areas of the Mareeba township south of Granite Creek, and it discharges the wastewater into two rising mains on the northern side of the creek, prior to entering the Mareeba Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Mareeba’s new Buy Back Shop at the waste transfer station is also now completed, with council now calling for expressions of interest to operate and manage the facility.
