General News
11 May, 2025
Workers’ accommodation eases housing pressure
NEW rural workers’ accommodation has been approved for a farm at Biboorhra, relieving some of the pressure of housing shortages in Mareeba.
Galati Farming Pty Ltd requested a Material Change of Use (MCU) to allow for the development of the facility at their orchard on Bilwon Road, which would provide separate rooms for up to 10 workers, a kitchen, laundry and ancillary amenities.
At the April meeting of Mareeba Shire Council, a report advised there had been no submissions objecting to the accommodation, and the buildings and infrastructure had already been established on the site.
However, the property’s northern boundary adjoins the Barron River and the whole site is mapped as a flood hazard area under the council’s Planning Scheme 2016 Flood Hazard Overlay, with the northern boundary adjoining the Barron River.
The report said the accommodation was an essential rural support and the applicant had accepted flood impact was an operational cost of the rural activity.
It also said short to medium-term farm workers were likely to be more resilient to the impacts of flooding as they could quickly evacuate to a safe location without needing to move substantial personal possessions.
Speaking on the motion to approve the MCU, Mayor Angela Toppin said there had been an increase in applications for such farm accommodation.
“The benefit of this is, of course, that it takes pressure off accommodation in our town and the impact … on our housing stock,” she said.
Further requirements for the MCU were that all building work be certified by a qualified structural engineer to be able to withstand damage from floodwater and debris, and before any occupation by workers, the landowner must obtain a Flood Emergency Evacuation Plan for the accommodation.
