General News
7 August, 2026
Student housing secure
ONGOING university student accommodation will be assured following an agreement by Mareeba Shire Council to sell a Walsh Street property to James Cook University.
The sale will be conditional on the university accepting the “as is” condition of the property, that it continues to provide accommodation to students on rural and remote health placements in Mareeba, and that if JCU later sells the property, the council has first right of refusal to repurchase the property.
Student accommodation at 99 Walsh Street has been ongoing for almost 20 years under a Deed of Agreement from 2007 with JCU. With the deed expiring next year, the university had worked with council to buy the property.
Cr Amy Braes said the proposal also highlighted MSC’s willingness to work with JCU and support workforce development in the region.
“There have been countless students housed over the last couple of decades, delivering real benefits in building the health workforce,” she said.
