General News
25 September, 2024
Kuranda levy boost back
KURANDA Village is set to benefit from investment in new and upgraded infrastructure, with the State Government announcing that Mareeba Shire will get an additional $1.7 million from the Skyrail levy.
The government will allocate about 50% of funding sourced from the Skyrail levy between July 2022 and June 2024 to the council.
This was the arrangement under previous iterations of the Kuranda Infrastructure Agreement (KIA) between the State and council.
Since 1994, the KIA has provided the council with funding to build and maintain public infrastructure and facilities that service the needs of tourists to the small town of Kuranda.
“As Mayor of this beautiful town, I have been advocating since 2021 for the Kuranda Infrastructure Agreement funding to be returned to council’s coffers,” Mayor Angela Toppin said.
“I am overjoyed by this announcement by Minister for Tourism Michael Healey that council will receive a once-off payment under the previous Kuranda Infrastructure Agreement.”
Mareeba Shire Council is responsible for the delivery of an infrastructure master plan as part of the Kuranda Infrastructure Agreement.
“This agreement was revised in 2021 with the financial contribution from Skyrail no longer to be received,” Mayor Toppin explained.
“Previously this financial contribution which, at its peak reached approximately $1 million per annum, was provided via monies collected by the State from corporations that have a licence to transport passengers through and across the World Heritage Wet Tropics between Cairns and Kuranda, being Kuranda Scenic Rail (operated by Queensland Rail) and Skyrail (privately owned and operated).
“The Agreement Funding has served as the means for major infrastructure upgrades which would have been outside the financial capacity of ratepayers, but which were necessary to provide a quality tourism experience, funding more than $16 million in projects since 1995.
“Council will use the funding from today’s announcement to replace and refurb current infrastructure in place in Kuranda.
“Without this vital revenue stream the community would not be able to keep Kuranda as one of the iconic Far North Queensland destinations.
“It is my hope that we can work on a new path forward to ensure these funds are reinstated on a continuous basis.”
Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said his government had recognised that the extra funds were needed.
“The Miles Government has listened to Mareeba Shire Council about how critical this extra bit of support is to maintain public infrastructure for this community,” he said.
The Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works will work with council to finalise arrangements for the payment and its use towards infrastructure.
