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Community & Business

24 October, 2024

Inflation, cyclone take toll on council

THE rising cost of materials and services and repairing widespread damage across the shire after Cyclone Jasper were major factors for Mareeba Shire Council, according to its annual report released last week.


Inflation, cyclone take toll on council - feature photo

Mayor Angela Toppin said the impact of Cyclone Jasper and the devasting extreme rainfall associated with the system late last year had presented “significant challenges” for the shire, having to repair more than half of its road network and other critical infrastructure.

“With over 900 calls and 185 requests for assistance during the event, we faced unprecedented requests for support,” she said. “In addition, the Australian economy faced substantial inflationary pressures, peaking at 7.8%.

“This economic climate affected our council in several ways, including increased costs for materials and services from contractors and suppliers.” But the council has managed to cope with the challenges, being identified by the Queensland Audit Office as one of only 29 local governments in the state considered to be financially sustainable.

“It is pleasing to report, and my chest is full of pride, that Mareeba Shire Council is among those local governments. We should be very proud of that,” Mayor Toppin said.

“Congratulations to all the staff, we can’t be sustainable unless everybody is on board.”

Among the highlights in the report is council’s financial operating position as of 30 June 2024, which reflects a surplus of $3.6 million. The final position was boosted by higher than expected interest, with council earning $4.43 million compared to $2.8 million over the previous 12 months.

Council did not undertake any new borrowings during the 2023-24 financial year and, as of 30 June, had a loan balance of $6.4 million.

Mayor Toppin was also buoyed by the delivery of $34.5 million in capital works for the 12-month period, including $2.3 million for the re-sheet, reseal and asphalt program, $2.1 million in works as part of the Parks and Open Spaces strategy, $10.3 million for upgrades of the Mareeba Water Treatment Plant, $3.6 million for Mareeba Bicentennial Lakes sewer main, and $861,000 to develop the new Kuranda Heights Cemetery.

One of the council’s major projects was the Southern Bicentennial Lakes Precinct which saw new amenities installed including a toilet block, playground and pump track. Deputy Mayor Cr Lenore Wyatt captured the year in her comments to the meeting.

“What a year it’s been, this annual report captures the highs, the lows, all the great things that we’ve achieved, and we can’t do it without our staff,” she said. “Our roads, our water infrastructure, sewerage infrastructure. Everything was smashed in Jasper. And everybody went above and beyond. “And it’s not just in the bad times, it’s also in the good times that we’re doing great things, bringing murals to Chillagoe, the park at Bicentennial Lakes...”

Annual Report Snapshot

• 4358 tonnes of waste disposed at Mareeba landfill

•  3104 tonnes of recyclables collected

• $1.029 million in sales at industrial park

• $44.57 million (value of) residential approvals 

•  329 building approvals

• 54 planning development applications

•  127 dwellings approved

•  4092 dogs registered

•  49,372 swimming pool admissions

•  164,308 visitors at information centres

• $428,149 awarded through Community Partnership Program

•  140,113 visits to council website

•  8324 members of libraries

•  59,973 visit libraries

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