Community & Business
28 March, 2023
Works ahead despite wet
MAREEBA Shire is making inroads into its $36.7 million capital works program, despite an active wet season hampering progress on some projects.
Mareeba Mayor Angela Toppin said a major project was currently underway to rehabilitate and widen sections of Euluma Creek Road between Black Mountain Road and McLeans Bridge Road.
“The projects are essential to cater for increasing heavy traffic and to address ongoing defects,” she said.
“Narrow sections of existing bitumen sealed road will be widened to eight metres and culverts will be replaced and extended.
“Work recommenced in late May 2022 after continued wet weather at the end of 2021. The project has now progressed with the second coat seal completed last month.”
But heavy rain in February had caused substantial scouring of the shoulders and several culverts along Euluma Creek Road.
“These will be repaired with funding through the Federal and State government’s Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements,” Mayor Toppin said.
“I look forward to the completion of this project after line-marking is finished later this month.”
Another project, to widen and seal Borzi Road, Mutchilba from 6m in width to 8m, was completed in February.
“This road provides vital access to agricultural properties and a quarry, and the improvements have been well received by our residents,” Mayor Toppin said.
The new Splash Park continues to be progressed but won’t be completed until June.
Construction of the park been impacted by persistent wet weather in January and February, however some progress has been made on underground pipework installation and preparation of the Splash Park foundation.
The pavers between the old club house, 50m pool and the new Splash Park have been replaced with concrete.
Other capital works underway include repairs on culverts in McGrath Road, Donlen and Mason streets, the finalisation of the design for an upgrade to the Anzac Memorial area in Byrnes Street, which will then be subject of public consultation as will a design for a “refresh” at Bill Newburn Park at Irvinebank.
Officers also completed an investigation into whether a new sewerage pump station in Atherton Street could be refurbished or would require new infrastructure. The review showed the pump station could be refurbished, with the final design now being worked on.
New toilets for Mareeba’s CBD are also on their way, with a request for quotes now closed and being assessed by officers
