Community & Business
1 May, 2024
Millaa Millaa looks to the future
A MASTER plan will be developed for the small town of Millaa Millaa and its surrounds to ensure it can flourish after a newly-formed steering committee approached Tablelands Regional Council to assist with funding the plan.
The small town’s economy suffered for months after the Palmerston Highway was extensively damaged by an extreme weather event following Cyclone Jasper late last year which makes the master plan even more important so it can withstand similar challenges in the future.
The master plan will take in the town itself as well as popular visitor destinations including McHugh’s Lookout, the Waterfall Circuit and Mungalli Creek areas.
Last week, the council approved $25,000 in funding to contribute to the cost of the plan being developed by James Cook University’s Tropical Urbanism and Design Lab.
Deputy Mayor Cr Dave Bilney lauded the Millaa Millaa Progress Association for its initiative, saying there had been moves to create a master plan many years ago but it had not eventuated.
“We are acutely aware that this community has been noticeably challenged over the Covid times and, more recently, Cyclone Jasper and the subsequent extended closure of the Palmerston Highway, As described in this report, the master plan seeks to build greater resilience and will support current works being undertaken at the Millaa Millaa Falls,” he said.
“The plan will be an aspirational document outlining long-term strategies and objectives for land use, recreation, tourism, transport, style, infrastructure, development and industry.
“What we’ll end up with is a framework that will guide future investment and development in the Millaa Millaa area.
“James Cook University’s Tropical Urbanism and Design Lab will be developing the master plan and they have plenty of experience in our region as they developed master plans for Ravenshoe and Malanda.
“This is a document that will be used to leverage grant funding opportunities from the State and Federal governments.”
The brief for the master plan includes the need to consider urban design, streetscape and traffic management issues while identifying opportunities to expand the town centre, specifically along Maple Street, Main Street, Brotherton Close and the corner of Palm Avenue to accommodate more business premises and small residential blocks.
The brief also cites a 2016 analysis that identified the removal of the overhead electricity poles and transformers from the central median which would deliver significant amenity improvement of the main street.
According to the briefing document, the masterplan should also include, among other things, the “development of a space that creates a sense of arrival and/or gateway” into the town centre; improved way-finding signage for visitors; the potential for a “civic space” to cater for outdoor dining, markets, festivals and events; and “innovative landscaping and pavement treatments”.
A steering committee, which was formed in November last year, also wants to see a design that is “conscious of the transition to renewables” for electric scooters, bikes and cars, as well as pathways and charging stations for electric vehicles.
They also want the master plan to embrace Millaa Millaa’s wet and cooler weather as an asset, suggesting it should “capitalise on celebrating wet and cool weather experiences for visitors such as sitting by a cosy fireplace”, or gazing at “primordial forested landscapes with mist swirling in the valleys”.
The total cost of developing the master plan is expected to be between $30,000-$50,000 and, once completed, will be put out for community consultation before being finalised.
“What we’ll end up with is a framework that will guide future investment and development in the Millaa Millaa area"
