General News
2 September, 2026
NQ Co-op shareholding opens
LONG time Mareeba-based NQ Co-op is relaunching its membership focus with a clearer and more accessible structure aimed at allowing a broader customer base.
Previously, membership was more closely aligned with higher-volume active trading members, NQ Co-op general manager Sasha Green said.
“This renewed membership structure is about making NQ Co-op membership easier to understand, more accessible and more relevant to the customers and communities we serve today.
“It gives people the opportunity to support local, access member benefits and have a voice in the future of the co-operative.”
The new structure lowers the barrier to entry by reducing the active membership requirement and minimum shareholding, while keeping member voice at the centre of the co-operative.
“Under this new structure, membership is made clearer, more accessible and more relevant to the customers and communities it serves today,” Ms Green added.
“This is not about moving away from NQ Co-op’s agricultural foundations, it is about building on those foundations and creating a stronger, more active and more engaged membership base for the future.”
Under the new rules, the minimum shareholding is 100 shares at $2 each, and active membership requires $1,500 in purchases each financial year and is open to a broader customer base while keeping member voice at the centre of the co-operative.
Under the old rules, active membership required a member to do at least $10,000 of business with the co-operative during a financial year. Members were also generally required to hold at least 1,500 shares.
NQ Co-op membership is open to anyone who wants to support the co-operative and be part of its future and may include existing TGT customers, rural and agricultural customers, local producers and graziers, trade customers, local businesses, families, community-minded locals and anyone who wants to support local trading and businesses and service providers.
Customers need to have an account with NQ Co-op/TGT, purchase the minimum 100 shares, and meet the annual spend requirement to remain active.
“Membership is about more than shopping local,” Ms Green said.
“It gives people the opportunity to support a locally connected co-operative, help keep value local, access member-only offers and promotions, and have a voice in the future of the co-op and supporting local jobs, and local service to the Mareeba-Dimbulah area and right across the Tablelands community.”
Voting rights are attached to membership, not shareholding.
This means buying more shares does not give a member more votes. The focus is on participation, involvement and connection to the co-operative.
Members can vote in director elections, and eligible active members may also have the opportunity to nominate for the Board, subject to meeting the requirements under the rules.
In addition, members may be able to access member-only offers and promotions, voting rights, participation in the co-operative, potential dividends in profitable years and the opportunity to support local value and community connection.
Receiving dividends in profitable years, is subject to the financial performance of the co-operative and approval by the Board.
Dividends are not guaranteed, but where the co-operative performs well, it may be one way members share in the value created by supporting NQ Co-op.
Customers and community members who want to learn more can speak with their local TGT branch team.
