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General News

23 May, 2019

Community hub a step closer after grant

THE Mareeba Shire Council has received $1,080,000 in funding courtesy of the Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program to go towards a community hub.

By Rhys Thomas

Community hub a step closer after grant - feature photo

THE Mareeba Shire Council has received $1,080,000 in funding courtesy of the Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program (LGGSP) to go towards a community hub at the Mareeba and Memorial Bowls Club site.

The proposed community hub will provide residents with a multi-purpose space for services and activities including sport and recreation, a library service, a covered bowling green and other associated community activities and events.

Mareeba Shire Council Mayor Tom Gilmore said the community hub will be a major feature of Mareeba for many years into the future.

“This town has already grown and continues to grow exponentially,” he said.

“Our town is building and this is going to be part of a new paradigm and will act as an asset for all parts of the community.

“It’s not just a library and it’s not just a bowls club, it’s everything you would contemplate a town to have.

“A town of this size, which is growing and vibrant, needs this kind of facility so we’re really looking forward to it.”

Cr Gilmore said while there have been some concerns raised about the library being moved from the Central Business District, he noted that residential areas surrounding the bowls club are the suburbs experiencing the greatest expansion.

“Other than a small bit of potential growth on the western side of the river, this side is where the town will ultimately expand to, so moving forward this hub will be somewhat central to town,” he said.

“In addition, with this site there’s guaranteed parking space and access, so in a very practical sense I think this project will change the way Mareeba conducts business and works together as a community.”

Cr Gilmore expressed his gratitude to the Queensland Government for their support.

“I have to say, we are so indebted to the Queensland Government for this funding, it has made this all possible,” he said.

“It will be fully grant funded, so we have to say thank you very much - it’s an extraordinary commitment and an extraordinary investment in our community.”

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