Mareeba in growth spurt

MAREEBA Shire is now the sixth fastest growing local government area in the state, according to Queensland Treasury statistics.

The figures show an annual growth increase of 1.7 per cent in the year 2019-2020 compared with the previous year.

Mareeba Shire Council Mayor Angela Toppin said despite Covid challenges over two years, Mareeba continued to shine.

“As the largest town outside of Cairns, we have our sights set as a council on continuing to bolster the positive trend of dwelling and commercial approvals which saw $64m worth of residential and non-residential plans rubberstamped in 2020-21,” Cr Toppin said.

Mareeba Chamber of Commerce president Joe Moro said growth in the region was underpinned by agriculture and council’s upgrades to large scale infrastructure.

“Our region is a vital transport and services hub for Northern Australia, and with smart business decisions, continuing local government investment in industrial and commercial aviation parks, road transport routes and water treatment facilities we’re ready to capitalise on this,” Mr Moro said.

Mr Moro said Mareeba had effectively pivoted in the face of Covid challenges.

The recently-released Chamber of Commerce annual economic snapshot showed strong performances across agriculture, tourism, real estate and business.

“There was much to celebrate with solid performances from rural commodities including horticulture, cropping and cattle helping buffer Mareeba from the more severe impacts of Covid,” Mr Moro said.

But Mr Moro and Cr Toppin have warned growth will be stifled unless an alternative to the Kennedy Highway through Kuranda to Mareeba is found.

The chamber has been pushing for the state to use $21m federal funding on offer for a transport study for the past four years.

Mr Moro said the growth and prosperity of Mareeba Shire would suffer unless action was taken towards an efficient transport link.

Cr Toppin rejected the findings of the state government’s newly-released $1.6m report on the road.

“Mareeba Shire Council cannot accept that there is not an issue with the capacity of this road,” she said.

“Council’s recommendation was that without effective regional road connectivity the economic potential for Mareeba, the shire, and the wider Far North Queensland region cannot be fully met.

“There has been no consideration of the growth in the Mareeba Shire or beyond, or the issues that the transport sector has been raising for many years.”