General News
24 June, 2026
First step in bringing life back to CWA building
EXPRESSIONS of interest are being sought by the Mareeba Shire Council for parties interested in “reimagining” the historic CWA building at 118 Byrnes Street.
Councillors endorsed the EOI at its ordinary meeting last week.
“It’s been such a unique building in our community,” Mayor Angela Toppin said.
“Many of us will remember, and probably it shows my age, but it was a mother’s rest room where we took our babies.
“There’s a lot of history there and I’m strongly in favour for somebody to take up residence in terms of offering services to our community.”
The CWA building was closed at council’s first meeting in February this year after vandalism and misuse had become too costly for council to continually repair and too “disgusting” for staff to deal with.
Cr Amy Braes said the fate of the building was included in the community consultations which helped formulate the Project Blueprint CBD strategy.
“It’s a prime location, it’s a very much loved facility, it was really important to the community, consultation,” she said.
“This EOI is a really positive step and the first step in reimagining that site. It will get a new life.”
Deputy Mayor Lenore Wyatt said it was exciting to think the building and surrounds would be given a makeover, and confirmed council would demolish the men’s toilet block at the rear of the building.
The EOI was opened for public engagement on 5 June and will close Monday 29 June, at 11am.
