General News
24 February, 2026
Masterplan milestone
MAREEBA’S town centre will quietly evolve over the coming years, into a place of visual impact, community safety and “big heart”, with the release last week of the CBD Masterplan.
The ambitious document, approved by the Mareeba Shire Council at its February meeting, provides a detailed blueprint on ways to improve the safety, accessibility and economic resilience of the town centre through redesign of streetscapes, improvements to walkways, lighting, signage, drainage, landscaping, kerbside heights, and even the removal of those notorious pavement tiles.
What began as a stormwater upgrade to address periodic flooding on the main street, became a comprehensive review of both infrastructure and aesthetics, following the provision of over $2 million from the Federal Government’s regional Precincts and Partnerships Program.
Mayor Toppin said the Masterplan was a major milestone for the town, and its very creation was a rare opportunity to have a major tool to back funding opportunities.
A key feature of the plan was the major consultation program which provided a platform for community input and direction.
“Locals voiced a strong desire for a greener, safer and more welcoming town centre … that reflects Mareeba’s unique local character and multicultural heritage,” Mayor Angela Toppin said during discussions on the Masterplan last week.
“The initiatives will drive economic growth, attract new businesses, and support the expansion of existing ones, creating a thriving, welcoming, walkable CBD that encourages people to stop, stay and spend,” Mayor Toppin said.
Chair of the Stakeholder Reference Group who led the consultations, Cr Amy Braes, said the adoption of the Masterplan was “an auspicious day” and the “culmination of a really collaborative process,” between all council staff, the Mareeba Chamber of Commerce, local business and the community.
“We were delighted with the level of involvement,” Cr Braes said.
“It was a really mammoth effort, but it provided us with insights that mean we can be confident in this Masterplan and know that it does reflect the community’s needs and aspirations.”
In June and July 2025, more than 200 people visited community engagement sessions, and 190 submitted surveys which helped inform a draft plan. By November 2025, over 600 local residents, businesses and visitors provided further feedback reflected in the final 54-page document.
The ideas, criticisms, and feedback are represented in the Masterplan, as are the historical, economic and demographic details of the area.
The CBD is divided into precincts to enable staged development. These include Precinct A, Byrnes Street, the main thoroughfare through the town, which will have a major makeover with features such as streetside greening, shade canopies, a distinct “arrival” feature, pedestrian seating and upgraded footpaths.
Other precincts include: Precinct B, Atherton St, which could be a “hub for dining, events, and night-time activity”; Precinct Area C, Railway Avenue, which would have an Anzac Park extension, and more connectivity to the main street; Precinct Area D, the Post Office Precinct, which would see improved parking, pedestrian flow, landscaping and a repurposed CWA building; Precinct Area E, Railway Avenue Entrance, which would have new public toilets, lighting and pedestrian-friendly movement; and Precinct Area F, Byrnes Street Parking, which would include a two-way entrance, improved landscaping and lighting.
Other distinct areas considered as supplementary projects included Walsh and Lloyd Street “Greening” and overall intersection safety improvements.
Structurally, the Masterplan prioritises the flash flooding issues along Byrnes St and the Byrnes/Rankin intersection, through upgrading the underground drainage system.
High kerbs along Byrnes Street would also be reduced, and pedestrian crossings would be shortened through kerb outstands and refuge areas.
Also included in the streetscape makeover, would be the replacement of the coloured tiles covering the pedestrian walkways, to better comply with “slip resistance standards”.
One of the more contentious changes would be the reduction of parking spaces.
According to the plan, there are 1,300 available in the CBD, which was “significantly higher than comparative regional centres”, according to the report.
This resulted in “limited footpath connectivity, minimal shade, and low pedestrian activity”.
“Formal community feedback indicates a broader preference for increased shading and green space in the town centre,” the report continued.
With the adoption of the Mareeba CBD Masterplan, council would “now move on to working on its construction ready plans, and developing a progressive funding strategy,” Cr Braes said.
“This will all take time. But certainly, we’re feeling very positive about the future,” she said.
To see the Mareeba CBD Masterplan visit https://msc.qld.gov.au/community/mareeba-cbd-project-blueprint/
Community driven recommendations include:
Upgrading stormwater infrastructure
Improving lighting and pedestrian safety along Byrnes Street
Enhancing accessibility
Welcoming town with shaded green spaces
Inclusive public amenities
Improved wayfinding
Celebrating Mareeba’s heritage through art and signage
Revitalising key streets like Byrnes and Atherton St with outdoor dining
Event spaces transforming areas like Railway Avenue into inviting gateways for visitors
