General News
9 May, 2025
Record investment in parks, open spaces
A MAJOR milestone was marked in the beautification of parks and open spaces last month with the Mareeba Shire Council signing off on its three-year action plan.
“Through this strategy and action plan, council has delivered real improvements to the spaces our community values most,” Mayor Angela Toppin said at the April meeting.
“These projects represent a record level of investment, delivered through grants and with no additional cost to ratepayers.
“We are proud of the progress we have made, and we look forward to continuing this important work.”
Adopted in February 2022, the action plan and the longer-term Parks and Open Spaces Strategy 2022–2031, were designed and developed through a community engagement and internal consultation process to provide a vision to support active lifestyles, drive economic development, and improve the overall visual character of the shire.
Over the past three years, the action plan focused on high-impact priority projects that have been completed or are well underway. Highlights include:
• A new splash park at the Mareeba Aquatic Centre
• Upgrades to playgrounds and active recreation facilities across the shire
• Enhancements to the popular Mareeba Rail Trail
• Revitalisation of the Bicentennial Lakes precinct, and
• Streetscape improvements, park upgrades, and new walking pathways across the shire.
“Moving forward, any outstanding projects will continue to be tracked and reported via the monthly Capital Works Program report,” Mayor Toppin said.
These projects included an improved playground at Geraghty Park in Julatten, upgrades to the northern section of Bicentennial Lakes in Mareeba and ongoing works in Coondoo Street in Kuranda.
