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Summary of Ordinary Council Meeting Thursday 23 July 2026

Tablelands Regional Council met on Thursday 23 July 2026 to consider a range of strategic, operational and community matters affecting the region. The meeting was chaired by the Acting Mayor, Dave Bilney.

Acting Mayoral Minute

The Acting Mayor updated the community on key meetings, activities and events over the past month. He attended both the Malanda and Atherton Shows and congratulated the Show Societies, volunteers, exhibitors and sponsors whose dedication ensured the continued success of these important community events. He noted several other events and functions attended around the Tablelands, highlighting events recognising 50 years of NAIDOC Week, and key meetings including Atherton & Malanda Lions Changeover Functions, a State Government 2026–27 budget briefing, a FNQ Regional Mountain Bike Steering Committee meeting, an FNQ Regional Organisation of Councils (FNQROC) meeting and meetings with the Herberton Business & Tourism Association, and Tourism Atherton Tablelands.

Acting Mayor Bilney concluded his minute by advising he and other TRC Councillors, the CEO and Senior Executive Leadership Team hosted Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM and Professor Graeme Nimmo for lunch prior to accompanying them on a tour of the Atherton and Herberton Hospitals, then joining Terry James MP, Member for Mulgrave for the official opening of the Priors Creek Parklands.

CEO Report

This month’s CEO Report noted impressive results achieved over the past 12 months to secure Council’s ongoing financial sustainability, with preliminary operating surplus of more than $3M, in part due to reduced operational costs and other savings initiatives. This result provides a solid foundation for the next ten years, ensuring Council’s ability to deliver critical infrastructure.

The CEO also provided an update on the upcoming by-election. Following former Mayor Rod Marti’s resignation on 29 June 2026, at the Special Council Meeting on 1 July 2026, Council resolved to seek a Full Postal Ballot for the mayoral by-election and any subsequent by-election which might arise if a current Councillor nominates and is successful. The Minister subsequently approved a Full Postal Ballot and Notice of the Election was issued on 21 July, with a close of nominations set for 12 noon on 30 July 2026.

Polling day will be on Saturday, 22 August, with the last day to return a postal vote being 1 September 2026. The results will be declared by the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) as soon as possible after polling day. Candidates and Electors can contact the ECQ on 1300 881 665 during business hours or visit the ECQ website for information about the by-election.

The CEO concluded by highlighting the highly successful opening of the Priors Creek Parklands noting future events and activities planned for Tableland’s newest public space and the many great celebrations that took place over that weekend, including the Gillies Range Road Centenary, the Herberton Historic Village Iron and Steam Festival and many other events within and beyond our local government area. There was something happening in every direction, and the community embraced it all.

Asset Disposal Policy Review

Council resolved to adopt an updated Asset Disposal Policy and delegated authority to the Chief Executive Officer to develop and amend any associated procedures and guidelines relevant to the new Policy in accordance with section 257(1)(b) of the Local Government Act 2009.

Local Government Association of Queensland Inc (LGAQ) Annual Conference – 19 October to 21 October 2026

Noting this year’s LGAQ Conference will be taking place close-by in Cairns, Council resolved to send two voting delegates (Councillors) and authorised all interested Councillors and the Chief Executive Officer to attend as observers. Acknowledging the uncertainty of the by-election/s, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor (or Councillor delegate) were nominated as the voting delegates.

Walsh Consultancy Pty Ltd – Minor change to Development Permit for Reconfiguring a Lot (2 Lots into 3 Lots) – Lot 11 and Lot 12 On RP703885 – 14 Oak Street And 3 Roseblade Street, Yungaburra – RAL26/0027

Council resolved to approve the minor change to the Development Permit in accordance with the Planning Act 2016 for application RAL22/0012, and for a new Decision Notice to be issued to replace the Decision Notice dated 20 December 2023, subject to amended conditions approved at the meeting.

Extension of Funding Agreement with Tourism Atherton Tablelands

Council approved funding for Tourism Atherton Tablelands in the amount of $100,000 for a term of one year from the date of the end of the current contract and delegated authority to the Chief Executive Officer to review and renegotiate Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) and enter into an agreement between Tourism Atherton Tablelands and Council.

Council acknowledged the hard work done by Tourism Atherton Tablelands to date, to promote and grow the region’s tourism sector, but noted that given the current funding agreement had only been in place for approximately eight months, approving a one-year extension to the agreement would provide an opportunity to continue building the partnership, establish clear reporting parameters and provide a natural point for review before considering a longer-term commitment.

Community Project Request — Grace Community Hub kitchen upgrades and solar panel installation

Council approved Community Project Request CRM/26/09898 from Grace Community Hub for upgrades at their leased facility located at 1 Jacks Road, Herberton. Proposed upgrades include a new commercial kitchen, two additional internal doors, a rooftop solar photovoltaic system and battery storage).

Council requested the Chief Executive Officer prepare amendments to the Community Project Request Policy to expressly exclude its application to requests for building alterations, improvements, and asset upgrades on TRC-owned facilities that are subject to a formal lease agreement that provides a separate approval process for such works. Council delegated authority to the Chief Executive Officer to finalise all matters associated with this project.

Council Corporate Reports

Council received and noted the following reports:

  • The Preliminary Capital Projects Report for June 2026, outlining project status and preliminary financial position within the 2025/26 capital program.
  • The Interim Audit Report 2025-26 issued by the Queensland Audit Office pursuant to section 213 part (3) of the Local Government Regulation 2012.
  • The Preliminary Finance Report, outlining the preliminary operating and financial position, the current outstanding rate and debtor balances, workforce overview, procurement activities and financial sustainability measures to June 2026.

As part of receiving and noting the Preliminary Finance Report, Council:

  • Noted that the Road Transport Contractual Chain Order issued by the Fair Work Ombudsman in April 2026 stopped applying from the 7th of June 2026 when the national terminal gate price for diesel fell below $2 per litre;
  • Endorsed the write-off of rates and charges totalling $156,766.92 for property number 35663 following liquidation of a mining company responsible for a terminated mining lease and unsuccessful debt recovery attempts for the rates and charges owed on the property; and
  • Endorsed payment of $320,000 (excluding GST) in relation to the opening of road reserve at Lot 901 Kennedy Highway, Atherton in accordance with the Infrastructure Agreement endorsed by Council on 27 March 2025.

Local Recovery & Resilience Grant (LRRG) – Funding Program Finalisation June 2026

Council noted Tropical Cyclone Jasper Local Recovery & Resilience Grant project expenditure and acknowledged the projects have been delivered through joint funding provided by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Business Without Notice

Councillor Lang congratulated the Atheron Turf Club on successfully securing grant funding of over $300,000 for upgrades to their training track, running rail, vermin fencing, and a new set of barriers.

Yurika Electric Vehicle Charging Station Licence Agreements

Council agreed to the extension of the current commercial existing licence agreement between TRC and Yurika Pty Ltd to 16 June 2028 and minor amendments to the agreement including the inclusion of an additional Schedule 5 – Commissioning Activation Form and the updating of relevant contact details for Notices in Schedule 1

Council also supported entering into a new commercial licence agreement with Yurika Pty Ltd for the installation, operation and maintenance of an electric vehicle charging station in Ravenshoe for 2 years, with the option of the ownership of the electric vehicle charging equipment being either transferred to Council on termination of the licence agreement, or removed from the site by Yurika at Yurika’s expense.

Specialised and Sole Supplier List

In accordance with sections 235(a) and (b) of the Local Government Regulation 2012, Council resolved to adopt the updated Specialised and Sole Supplier List being for sole and/or specialised suppliers who are reasonably available for the provision of goods and services to Council.

Contracts and Tenders Awarded

  • Cook Street Sewer Pump Station Design Budget — Council awarded RFQ T00352 – Cook Street sewer upgrades to Jacobs Group (Australia) Pty Ltd for the lump sum amount of $133,786 excluding GST and resolved to increase the 2026/27 capital budget allocation for project C001030 – WWT Atherton Sewerage PS – Cook St RAF to $227,420.34 and delegated authority to the Chief Executive Officer in accordance with the Local Government Act 2009 to negotiate and execute the contract, including variations within approved budget limits.
  • T00376 – 2025 North and Far North Tropical Low Flood Damaged Roads Restoration – Various Roads — Council awarded the following Restoration of Essential Public Assets Contracts and delegated authority to the Chief Executive Officer in accordance with the Local Government Act 2009 to negotiate, finalise and execute any and all requirements associated with the arrangements:
  • T00386 Zone East 1 to Bono’s Excavations for $5,713,521.20 excluding GST.
  • T00390 Zone East 2 to SAW Civil Profiling Pty Ltd for $4,838,776.79 excluding GST.
  • T00391 Zone East Sealed to SAW Civil Profiling Pty Ltd for $1,097,631.32 excluding GST.
  • T00389 Zone West to Watto’s Earthmoving & Machinery Hire Pty Ltd for $3,566,602.35 excluding GST.
  • T00392 Zone South 1 to Cheshire Contractors Pty Ltd for $5,809,092.66 excluding GST, but subject to and conditional upon Council and Cheshire Contractors Pty Ltd finalising negotiations to the satisfaction of Council about the terms of the documents forming part of the Contract.
  • T00394 Silver Valley Culvert to Stratos Civil Pty Ltd for $350,032.21 excluding GST, but subject to and conditional upon Council and Stratos Civil Pty Ltd finalising negotiations to the satisfaction of Council about the terms of the documents forming part of the Contract.

Agendas, Minutes & Next Meetings

Next Meeting — The next meeting of Council will be at 9am on Thursday 27 August 2026, at the Coordination Centre, Atherton. Meetings are open to the public, live-streamed and recorded.

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