Community & Business
2 March, 2023
Rain causes problems for works
WET weather has caused some delays in getting action on the new Mareeba Splash Park, but some progress has been made, with a new retaining wall and security fence constructed and a large electrical transformer installed.
Mareeba Shire Council’s infrastructure services manager Glenda Kirk said the project was probably five weeks behind as heavy machinery could not access the site, with “water laying on top of the ground”.
“But we are talking to the contractors and hope to claw back some of that time,” she said.
The splash park, which is being established at the Mareeba Sports and Aquatic Centre, will be a new zero-depth, zero-height splash play area that will include various unique water spray areas with interactive play elements and shade structures.
As part of the upgrade, a heating system will also be installed for the pool and the front entry gardens and pathways will be refreshed.
Cr Locky Bensted said other areas of the shire had now expressed a desire to have a splash park.
“Dimbulah wants a splash park now – we would like a splash park everywhere but it costs money,” he said, noting that the Queensland Government had committed more than $1.6 million to the project.
Cr Kevin Davies reminded council that even though the State Government did fund the capital cost of the project, there was an on-going cost to ratepayers with maintenance and depreciation.
Council was told other major capital works were progressing, with preliminary designs for the Bicentennial Lakes upgrade being prepared for community consultation. Construction is expected to commence by mid-year.
The new Riverside Caravan Park amenities block is also on track, with the foundation slab now in place and construction of the masonry block wall underway.
The amenities block had reached the end of its useful life and after an assessment determined that an upgrade was unviable, a decision to replace the facility was made.
The Granite Creek Sewage Pump Station is also progressing well, and when completed, will be able to cater for future growth in the area, which includes all sewered areas of the Mareeba township south of Granite Creek.
The project is expected to be finished in the next month.
