Community & Business
1 February, 2025
New group aims to be a voice for community
A NEW group is being formed to give residents in the Mareeba Shire a stronger voice on important issues such as escalating crime and local government matters.

The Mareeba Ratepayers and Residents Association is asking people in the shire to come forward and join the group so it can represent the community and advocate on their behalf.
Group spokesman and former councillor Bob Neate claims that locals are currently experiencing signs of organised crime involving break and enters, theft, damage and even instances of physical attacks.
He says people have reported numerous instances where adults are “casing” houses and bending back or removing security screens during the daylight hours to be followed up by groups of younger people and children returning at night to commit crime.
“The fact is that despite public posturing and lame excuses from our community leaders, including police and supposed assistance groups, CCTV images posted on social media clearly show and confirm that the activity is now generally targeted and organised, with adults accompanying many of the youth criminals during their nocturnal activities,” he said.
“The real truth is that most of the elderly and law-abiding residents and business operators in the CBD and residential and rural areas of the shire simply do not feel safe.
“As a former councillor, I believe that surely, as elected people and public servants, Mareeba Shire Council and the Tablelands Patrol Group have a duty of care to protect their constituents and residents, not just organise ‘go nowhere’ talk fests that have achieved absolutely nothing but escalating crime for the past two or more years.”
In December last year, more than 100 people gathered at a local hall to vent their frustration about what they were experiencing, especially pensioners whose homes are being targeted by young criminals.
In December 2021, around 700 people gathered at a crime rally in Davies Park to demand that authorities take action, outlining eight actions which were sent to 14 Federal, State and Local Government representatives.
The Express reported in December that crime in Mareeba had increased by 15% last year compared to the previous 12 months, with 1783 offences reported.
Statistics from the Queensland Police online crime map showed that 87 vehicles were stolen in Mareeba, compared to 45 in 2023, while unlawful entry into homes or businesses was up 31%, with 311 recorded.
Long-term resident and business leader Barry Simpson said various excuses had been given by authorities for the inaction on crime after the 2021 rally.
“The fact that no crime reduction has followed is an indictment on the part of the recipients who were sent the eight crime actions, not the organiser of the well-attended meeting as implied,” he said.
He said there was hope things would change when the new Crisafulli Government came into power late last year, immediately making changes to the Youth Justice Act but he believes more has to be done to stop young criminals from being bailed and allowed to go back onto the street to commit more crimes.
The new group is aiming to also keep a keen eye on council issues so it can be a voice for the greater community.
Anyone interested in joining the new association should email to dj_mckinley@yahoo.com.au or mail their expression of interest to Mareeba Ratepayers and Residents Association, PO Box 1476 Mareeba 4880.