General News
5 June, 2026
Makeover for Arnold Park
ARNOLD Park in Mareeba will be the recipient of a $150,000 upgrade to its facilities, just three months out from the annual multicultural festival.
Member for Cook David Kempton announced that Mareeba Shire Council had been successful in securing the funds from the Multicultural Connect Grants Program.
“The multicultural festival is a major annual event in Mareeba. It is action packed, with singing dancing and delicious food and full of locals that come from diverse backgrounds who join together to celebrate their different cultures,” Mr Kempton said.
He said the upgraded recreation and event facilities, additional power and water points, and enhanced accessibility would create a more comfortable, inclusive, and functional space for multicultural communities to gather, celebrate, and connect, with the project set to commence this year.
Mareeba Shire Mayor Angela Toppin AM said the funding would impact numerous community groups.
“The announcement of the upgrades to Arnold Park is fantastic news for the Mareeba community. Located in the heart of town, the park is used by many cultural and community groups to promote fitness, social cohesion and family-friendly events throughout the year,” she said.
“The improved facilities will have a significant impact on how our residents continue to use and enjoy this important space.”
Mareeba Multicultural Festival chair Cr Mary Graham explained how important the event was for Mareeba.
“The Mareeba Multicultural Festival has been hosted in Arnold Park since 1999, strengthening community connection and understanding, and has become a treasured local event,” she said.
“The upgrades at Arnold Park will help ensure we can continue to deliver this event for many years to come.”
In total, the first round of the Multicultural Connect Grants program has invested $1.25 million into six community-led infrastructure projects to support multicultural groups – which have a total value of more than $3.2 million.
All projects will be supported through matched funding from the local organisation, with recipients contributing dollar-for-dollar alongside the Queensland Government.
Multicultural Connect Grants is a new $5 million four-year program under the State Government to support community-led infrastructure projects which address the needs of Queensland’s growing and diverse communities.
Minister for Multiculturalism Fiona Simpson said the first tranche of funding would empower communities to lead projects which create welcoming spaces and strengthen social cohesion.
“We are committed to supporting vital community infrastructure to ensure that regions across our state are safe, welcoming and inclusive for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds,” she said.
Mareeba Shire Council also received $15,000 from the State Government to deliver the Multicultural Festival through the Celebrating Multicultural Queensland Program.
The 2026 festival will be held on Saturday, 29 August from 10am to 4pm at Arnold Park. The free, annual event celebrates the region’s diversity with over 20 food stalls, continuous live entertainment, and cultural performances from various nationalities.
