General News
7 November, 2025
Pet crematorium plan for Mareeba
A PROPOSAL for a pet crematorium in Mareeba has been submitted to council to provide more options to Tablelanders and local veterinarian services.
Currently, pet cremation is available at Mossman or Cairns, and fees can range from between $170 for birds or rats, and more than $500 for large pets.
Collection fees to pick up the animal from the Tablelands adds to the bill by a minimum of $100. Additional charges for an urn or a box when the ashes are returned will add another $300 or more.
A development application is seeking a material change of use to build a pet crematorium facility at 5 Martin Tenni Drive in the Mareeba Industrial Park.
A report prepared for the developer and provided to council said the planned facility would have no impact on residential zones and was suitably designed to complement the Heavy Industry Precinct within the “perfect location” in the industry zone.
The report said operationally, the pet crematorium would be structured around a model that emphasised minimal public visitation.
“Most remains will be collected directly from the source by trained personnel associated with the facility,” the report stated.
“This streamlined approach not only enhances the operational efficiency but also reduces the need for public foot traffic, thus maintaining a low profile within the industrial precinct.”
Environmentally, the state-of-the art ovens would generate no emissions, and air quality controls would be fully compliant with applicable health and environmental regulations.
The pet crematorium would operate seven days a week, “accommodating the needs of the community, while ensuring that operations are conducted within a controlled and respectful environment”.
“The operation is designed to facilitate timely processing of remains, ensuring that families receive prompt service while maintaining the dignity and sensitivity associated with such matters,” the report continued.
One Mareeba vet service said the proposal was likely to be welcomed by pet owners and could reduce costs.
Another vet service spokesperson said it used a Cairns service, which they were more than happy with, but noted that people had changed their views towards pets in recent times, and the growing demand for specialised services such as cremation was no longer scoffed at, but an important part of the grieving process.
The submission report also said the site would be surrounded by the Mareeba transfer station and golf course to the south, Steggles processing factory to the east, and the town sewerage treatment plant to the north.
It was confident the assessment criteria requirements could be met and planning and policy outcomes could be achieved.
