General News
3 November, 2026
Report shows steady progress
A CLEAN audit bill of health, more funds from the Federal Government for town infrastructure, a tightening of cyber security across the organisation and a tidy surplus were among the key mentions in Mareeba Shire Council’s 2025-26 Annual Report.
Tabled on Wednesday, Mayor Angela Toppin said she was “very proud of the fact that we have received a clean audit report from the Queensland Audit Office”.
Another significant milestone was the progress of the Mareeba CBD blueprint, a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the future of the Mareeba CBD, which now had “construction-ready designs to provide a foundation for future grant applications”.
The Annual Report showed an operating surplus of $16.8 million, made up from operating revenue of $104.5 million with operating expenses of $87.7 million.
Mayor Toppin noted that a large portion of the surplus was due to the prepayment of this year’s financial assistance grant from the Federal Government.
“We also have monies required for future water and sewerage capital works within that surplus,” she said.
According to Mayor Toppin, economic growth and future opportunities remained a priority, with work progressing on the Planning Scheme review, housing and residential land supply and the Economic Development Strategy.
“These initiatives contribute to a stronger foundation for future investment, employment and sustainable growth across the shire,” she said.
“Looking ahead, council remains focused on delivering responsible and sustainable outcomes for our communities, while planning for the opportunities and challenges that come with growth.
“Our focus will continue to be on sound financial management, reliable infrastructure, quality services, environmental stewardship, economic opportunity and meaningful engagement with our community.”
Speaking to the report at the meeting, Cr Lenore Wyatt noted cyber security had progressed to build organisational capability and resilience against emerging cyber threats.
“You can rest assured that we’re on top of our cyber security, and I think that’s something that’s really topical at the moment,” she said.
“We’ve actually done a lot of cyber security monitoring, we’ve done a lot of staff awareness training. So that’s something that I’m really proud of that we’re doing in the background. I know our core business is roads, rates, and rubbish, but we really are on track with that.”
The report showed that rates and charges contributed $43.4 million to the council’s operating income, with grants, subsidies and contributions providing $41.7 million. Of this grant income, 66% related to Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Council’s largest expense was materials and services at $53 million.
Major capital works during the year included $6.4 million for widening and sealing Leadingham Creek Road, $5.2 million for the Constance Street rising main and $3.6 million for the Lloyd Street sewer main.
The council’s total assets were $1.127 billion, including $963.5 million in property, plant and equipment.
Total liabilities included a $5.6m loan balance, although no new borrowings were undertaken in the 2025-26 financial year.
Across the arts sector, council provided $237,716 in funding and in-kind support to not-for-profit organisations delivering events, programs and initiatives across the shire.
An additional Regional Arts Development Fund of $49,062 supported nine projects.
Cr Braes said the annual report provided an important moment-in-time snapshot of a local government area and the “local government itself and how it engages with the community”.
“From Project Blueprint to the Julatten pump track and the waste services survey, council asked, and the community really answered,” she said.
Snapshot:
Finance:
Operating surplus of $16.8 million
Loan balance of $5.6 million
Community:
122 Community Groups and Organisations Supported
64 Groups provided subsidised land/ facilities
Advertisement$49,062 Regional Arts Development Fund Contribution
$237,716 Community Partnerships Program
Development Approvals:
120 Dwellings approved
69 Planning Development applications
Building approvals:
327 approved
Regulatory services:
3,979 Dogs registered
263 Environmental health inspections
Economy:
10,121 ratable properties
$576,634 Tourism Investment
Visitor Information centres:
$82,000 Mareeba Heritage Centre Grant
$126,756 Mareeba Heritage Centre Management Fee
$130,810 Kuranda VIC Management Fee
$46,000 Mareeba Shire Tourism Grant
Waste
1,582 tonnes of recyclable materials collected
Facilities
10,114 Library Memberships
131,206 Library visitors both online and actual
45,641 Swimming pool admissions
1644 Public Hall usage
25,143 Caravan Park site rentals
