Summary of Ordinary Council Meeting Thursday 28 August 2025
Deputations
Patrick Clifton on behalf of developer — sought Council support for the potential development of an RV park between the Cook-Main Street roundabout and Grove Street in Atherton, particularly around future use of the leased Rail Trail corridor.
Graham Nicholson and Stefanie Braun — presented a petition to Council calling for the Herberton Library to remain open in response to a closure proposal.
CEO Report
The CEO discussed an upcoming TRC Agriculture Forum to be held in Kairi, ongoing work with finance and risk consultant Neil Castles on TRC’s depreciation challenges, the recruitment of a new General Manager for Placemaking role, and increased efforts to provide more transparency on Council decision-making.
Proposed RV Park Access Request
This report was deferred to the September Ordinary Council Meeting to allow for an information session on the details of the proposal to be conducted.
Infrastructure Charges Resolution No. 1 of 2025
Infrastructure charges to be raised from 1 September 2025 to the Queensland Government-imposed cap, in line with other councils around the state.
Tablelands University Centre (VPG) – Request for Funding
Financial support to the Vocational Partnerships Group for the Tablelands University Centre will be extended for another three years to the amount of $20,000 per annum.
Road Naming Request
‘Gemelli Crescent’ was approved as a new road name in Country View Estate, Atherton.
Consent to Revocation of Part of Lot 340 on NR7779 – Jack May Park, Malanda
A small parcel of the Jack May Park recreation reserve land is to be passed to the Malanda State School for expansion of play area for students.
Hallorans Hill Conservation Park – Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Partnership Request
Improvements on State Government land at Rotaract Park, Louise Street Atherton including playground equipment, park furniture, toilet block and an unused depot building to be decommissioned and repurposed where possible, and trusteeship of land to be relinquished back to the State.
TRC Aerodromes — New Lease Development
Development of additional lots at the Atherton Aerodrome for new hangar facilities was approved.
Capital Projects Monthly Report — July 2025
The received and noted Capital Projects Report provides a summary of the financial position of capital budget expenditure and the status of projects at the end of July 2025.
Financial Report — July 2025
July 2025 Financial Report was received and noted.
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.
A new fee of $110 plus GST for the purchase of wheelie bins will come into effect from 1 September 2025.
2025–26 First Budget Review
A special Council meeting is planned within the next two weeks to enable further consideration of the Budget Review.
Grant Program Policy Review
A review and update of the existing Grant Program Policy was endorsed by Council. It includes:
- Alignment with TRC Corporate Plan 2025–30
- Removal of the Economy Grant Stream for a future Economic Development Program
- Refined eligibility wording to clarify that activities already undertaken are not eligible for funding.
- Definition of ‘Community Organisation’ in line with the Local Government Regulation 2012
Reef Guardian Conference
Councillor Maree Baade attended the recent Reef Guardian Council conference in Rockhampton at which TRC projects under the program featured heavily.
Concession Requests
Due dates for upcoming rate payments were extended for two separate properties to allow time for further information to be shared prior to the September 2025 Ordinary Council Meeting.
T-TRC2025–23 — Wooroora Road Bridge Replacement Tender
To be deferred to a special Council meeting planned within the next two weeks to enable further consideration as part of the Budget Review.
Sole Supplier Request — FGF Developments Springmount Waste Facility
It was resolved that FGF Developments is the only supplier reasonably available to operate the Springmount Waste Facility due to the specialised nature and regional exclusivity of the services required. A new contract will be negotiated.
T-TRC2025-12 – Lease and Operation of Atherton Municipal Pool
Tender for Lease and operation of the Atherton Municipal Pool awarded to Marlin Coast Swimming and Fitness for a term of 10 years for a lump sum of $273,900.00 inclusive of GST.
Contracts & Tenders
Contract for the 2025–26 Gravel Resheeting Program awarded to Saw Civil Profiling Pty Ltd for $1,912,066. Contract FNQ055 for FNQROC Regional Collection and Beneficial Reuse of Biosolids approved and awarded to Arkwood (Gloucester) Pty Ltd for an estimated annual cost of $175,209.20 excluding GST and FNQROC Regional Sewer Reline 25/26 FNQ039 contract extended with Relining Solutions for one final year to the value of $386,040.43 excluding GST.
Capital Renewals included the purchase of one new backhoe from Brown and Hurley Agriculture Tolga for the amount of $235,545.00 including GST, 16 new commercial vehicles from John Cole Toyota Atherton including five 4×4 Dual Cab Utilities, three 4×4 Large Capacity Dual Cab Utilities and eight 4×4 Single Cab Utilities for the tendered amount of $333,731.20, $302,895.96, $488,092.40 (all including GST) respectively, and two new Crew Cab Tippers from Irelands Isuzu for $363,631.90 including GST
Agendas, Minutes & Next Meeting
The next ordinary Council meeting will be at 9am Thursday 25 September at the Coordination Centre, 15 Vernon Street in Atherton. The meeting is open to the public and will be live-streamed and recorded.