Summary of Ordinary Council Meeting Thursday 24 July 2025
Mayoral Minute
TRC received $1.72M for upgrades to 15 gully crossings and $716k for a causeway on Moomin Road from the Queensland Reconstruction Authority; and $2.02M for infrastructure projects from the Residential Activation Fund.
CEO Report
The CEO report provided a monthly update on key projects including Battery Park, Millaa Millaa Falls, Packhorse Creek causeway, Johnstone River Estate/Peeramon water supply, Ravenshoe and Millstream water supply, gravel resheeting, Lapidary Club roof, Wongabel Road, Rail Trail and Priors Creek Parklands. The report also highlighted the inaugural TRC Business and Tourism Forum held last week and thanked Tourism Atherton Tablelands and business chambers.
Tourism Atherton Tablelands Funding Agreement
A one-year funding partnership of $100,000 will be established with Tourism Atherton Tablelands to boost tourism in the region.
Millaa Millaa Master Plan
The Millaa Millaa Master Plan was acknowledged and the efforts of the community and the JCU Team commended. The plan identifies the aspirations of the community.
Organisational Structure Review
The reviewed organisational structure was endorsed including the creation of a General Manager Place-making role.
LGAQ Annual Conference
Mayor Rod Marti and Deputy Mayor Dave Bilney will attend the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) Annual Conference as delegates, and Councillor Kylie Lang and CEO Dr Nikola Stepanov will attend as observers.
Change of Meeting Date
The October Ordinary Council Meeting will be changed from Thursday 23 October to Thursday 30 October.
Capital Projects Report
The received and noted Preliminary Capital Projects Report provides a monthly summary of the financial position of capital budget expenditure and the status of projects.
Development Activity Report
The Q3 Development Activity Report details the number of development applications received, number of housing lots approved and delivered, and an update on other planning, business and customer service improvements. In April–June:
- approximately 34 new lots have been created, an additional three lots approved and 41 new dwellings built
- phase 1(ii) of the 10-year Planning Scheme Review Project was completed
- amendments to the Local Government Infrastructure Plan were progressed with drafts of the Planning Assumptions Report and Schedule of Works under review.
EOI Transfer Station Buildings
Expressions of interest will be invited for the lease of the vacant building at the Atherton Transfer Station with the intent of operating it as a resource recovery, reuse or recycling venture.
Preliminary Financial Report
Operating revenue is on target with a variance of just 2.82%. Capital revenue is under budget at 45.67% however year end processing is still being completed. $410,000 of unspent funds will be transferred to the Malanda Integrated Water Supply Project. The interim audit report for 2024–25 was received and noted.
Policies Adopted
The Procurement Policy provides the guiding principles for purchasing goods and services.
The TRC Queensland Privacy Principle Policy is required under the Information Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2023 and ensures our practices are consistent with law. The policy will be reviewed in 12 months.
Quarterly Report
The Q4 Quarterly Performance Report provides an overview of customer request management response performance, progress against Operational Plan initiatives, and after-hour call responses.
Grant Program
Six community, environment and youth excellence grants were provided to the community between Tuesday 1 April and Monday 30 June 2025.
LGAQ Annual Conference Motion
A motion for better resourcing from the Queensland Government for biosecurity management on state-controlled land was endorsed for lodging at the LGAQ Annual Conference.
Sole & Specialised Suppliers
The updated list of sole and specialised suppliers was accepted. These suppliers provide specialised or confidential goods or services that would make it impractical or disadvantageous for Council to invite quotes/tenders, or are the only supplier of goods or services.
Community Nursery
The Community Revegetation Nursery will continue to be operated in accordance with its endorsed business plan.
Contracts & Tenders
Tender T-TRC2025-08 for the delivery of the causeway on Packhorse Creek was awarded to Lift Tek Pty Ltd for $621,676.21 including GST.
Contract FNQ038 for the regional bitumen reseal program with FGF Bitumen Pty Ltd will be varied to include the resealing program for 2025–26 for $1,749,860.52 excluding GST (estimated).
QTRC2025-13 for stage 2 of the Fig Street footpath was awarded to Terranovus Civil for $210,076.90 including GST.
Agendas, Minutes & Next Meeting
The next ordinary Council meeting will be at 9am Thursday 28 August at the Coordination Centre, 15 Vernon Street in Atherton. The meeting is open to the public and will be live streamed and recorded.