Summary of Ordinary Council Meeting Thursday 30 April 2026

Tablelands Regional Council met on Thursday 30 April 2026 to consider a range of strategic, operational and community matters affecting the region.

Deputations

Ms Tina Edwards, community member, addressed Councillors regarding Council’s plans to divest community-owned assets. During the deputation, Ms Edwards tabled a petition in relation to the proposed divestment process. It was resolved that Council receive the petition presented by Ms Edwards and refer it to the Chief Executive Officer for consideration or a report to Council.

Mr Simon Greenwood, President of the Cairns & District Power Boat and Ski Club addressed Councillors regarding the proposed divestment of the Ski Clubhouse at Tinaburra Drive. Correspondence from the Cairns & District Power Boat & Ski Club dated 8 February 2026 was tabled as part of the deputation.

Mr Ray Mitchell, Secretary of the Ravenshoe Lions Club addressed Councillors regarding the proposed divestment of the Archers Creek Rest Area toilet block. During the deputation, Mr Mitchell tabled a petition on behalf of Principal Petitioner, Mr Doug Phillips, in relation to the divestment of the Archers Creek Rest Area public amenities. It was resolved that Council receive the petition presented on behalf Mr Phillips and refer it to the CEO for consideration or a report to Council.

Mayoral Minute

The Mayor presented his mayoral minute, thanking those who’d just made deputations related to Council’s divestment journey and acknowledging the central role community groups hold in our region and that their messages would form part of broader community group engagement and considerations going forward.

Council has more than 700 built assets across the region with only 13 500 ratepayers, meaning every 19 ratepayers are funding a built asset, in addition to essential service costs. With many buildings approaching end of life, it is simply too great a burden on ratepayers to fund.

The Mayor added that the TRC divestment journey is a necessary undertaking of a responsible Council, and one that every council must undertake as part of commitments to due diligence and sustainability. The journey reflects every councils’ responsibility to assess assets, and this is the first time TRC has committed to a program of review. It’s a timely, required and sound investment for Council and community.

The Mayor also reported that nine Mayors from the FNQ Regional Organisation of Councils recently convened in Brisbane to meet with Ministers and members of the state government, the opposition and the cross bench. It was a highly valuable opportunity to impress on the government those regional issues requiring urgent attention and investment. Premier Crisafulli, the Deputy Premier and other Ministers were generous with their time and the face-to-face conversations represented an important part of the advocacy dossier for this region we call home.

Chief Executive Officer Report

The CEO presented her report which noted that the Crisis Management Team (CMT) was stood up in early April in response to the significant global volatility due to conflict in the Middle East. Measures have been introduced across the organisation to plan for potential impacts and minimise disruption to delivery of critical services. The report also noted that budget preparations for the 2026-2027 financial year are underway, including determining rates for the next financial year, and identifying priorities based on ratepayer needs and affordability.

A free breakfast will be provided for community volunteers on Friday 22 May, from 7.00am to 9.00am in front of the SES headquarters in Mabel Street Atherton, to thank them for their efforts and dedication as part of National Volunteer Week. A series of free workshops are taking place for women across the Tablelands, focusing on employability skills, financial literacy, and digital capability, as part of the Women’s Initiative for Skills & Empowerment (WISE). Applications for artists and curators interested in being involved in the Tablelands Galleries 2027 Exhibition program will close on Monday 11 May 2026. Visit the TRC Website for more information about these initiatives.

Asset Divestment Update – Outcomes of Due Diligence for Multiple Community Property Assets

Council noted that the third of the five stages of TRC’s current Community Asset Divestment Process had now been completed for many of the properties/community assets previously identified in the ongoing divestment process. This involved internal, due diligence and legal reviews for community assets identified in previous Ordinary Council Meetings, under consideration for potential divestment:

44 property assets (generally buildings and structures), identified at the 22 January 2026 meeting; and
63 property assets (generally vacant land parcels), identified at the 26 February 2026 meeting.

After considering the report and recommendations resulting from the internal due diligence and legal investigations for the identified assets, Councillors resolved that:

Officers move to stage 4 of the TRC Divestment Process, being consultation with relevant community groups, stakeholders and adjacent landowners for 33 identified buildings and land assets
a portion of vacant land on Kelly Street, Atherton be transferred (gifted) to Atherton Community Kindergarten, with Council retaining the remaining portion (Lot 3 on SP346747)
a vacant land parcel known as 2 Minna Street, Herberton be removed from divestment consideration to dedicate the land as a road reserve for public use (Lot 1 on H25315)
a vacant land parcel known as Lot 81 Vance Close, Barrine which is a park and recreation reserve, be removed from divestment consideration to ensure continuing public access to Lake Tinaroo (Lot 18 on RP748108)
negotiation with an adjacent landholder currently using vacant land located at 38 Jackson Drive, Atherton be commenced, regarding a possible transfer of the land by sale (Lot 13 on SP126737)
part of the vacant land located at 19-21 Centenary Drive, Atherton be dedicated as a road reserve for public use and offering the remaining portion of the lot for sale by public tender (Lot 1 on RP724756)
a trustee lease for the Hallorans Hill Observation Building, located at 15-17 Centenary Drive, Atherton be offered by public tender (Lot 17 on RP902189)
sale the Ravenshoe Judo Hall located at 48-81 Wooroora Road, Ravenshoe be offered by public tender requiring removal of the building from the land (Lot 2 on RP739007)
22 currently unused vacant land parcels be offered for sale by public tender.

Malanda Multi-Purpose Community Facility — Proposed Site Location

Council supported the recommended site for the future construction of the MPCF being land located immediately adjacent to the Southeastern side of the arena and sporting fields at Malanda Showgrounds, in the approximate location of the existing grandstand structure. The location is considered the most practical, cost-effective and community-focused option identified through the site feasibility investigation which included engagement with the MPCF Community Working Group.

Tenders and Contracts

A tender for dry hire supply of plant equipment (2 compactors, 1 forklift, 1 loader, 1 track-mounted skid steer and 1 mini loader) was awarded to Northwest Services Pty Ltd for $1,078,840 excluding GST.

TRC is currently contracted to deliver the Routine Maintenance Performance Contract (RMPC) for the Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) within the TRC regional boundaries. Council approved the formal submission of tender to DTMR for the continued delivery of those services for the 2026/27 and 2027/28 financial years at a total contract value of $4,477,708 with the potential for TRC to receive an estimated 10% profit of the contract value over the two years.

Delegations

In accordance with section 257 of the Local Government At 2009 (Qld), Council resolved to delegate its power to the Chief Executive Officer under various sections of the:

Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982; and
Planning Act 2016 (Qld), with the removal of the delegation under section 81A(2)(b) of the Planning Act, relating to deciding to refuse change applications.

Council also noted a change to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and the application of the recent Road Transport Contractual Chain Order issued by the Fair Work Commission, which came into effect on 21 April 2026.

Council resolved that if contract variations are required as a result of the amendment to the Fair Work Act or the related Order, Council delegates its power to the Chief Executive Officer to approve all such contract variations for fuel cost recovery, provided the value of each variation is within the adopted capital and operational budget, and is subject to the detailed conditions agreed as part of the resolution.

Finance Report

The finance report outlining the operating and financial position to end March 2026 was received. The report included a recommendation to provide a response to the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development stating that it is the opinion of TRC that a new land revaluation proposed to come into effect on 1 July 2027 is not required, considering a revaluation had been recently undertaken and that sale trends have not significantly changed since that time. The Department will ultimately make their decision, which may result in an outcome that differs from the opinion of the Local Government.

Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology were accepted as a sole/specialised supplier for the provision of serology blood test services for Q fever vaccinations

Unspent capital funds will be reallocated in the amounts of $15,000 for the necessary replacement of an electricity pole at the Atherton Cemetery, $14,724 to finalise the riparian restoration project along Priors Creek, and $200,000 to repair lightning strike damage to the Bravery Road bore. Bore repair costs will likely be recovered through insurance, and the reallocation of unspent funds will not increase Council’s overall budget.

Corporate reporting

Council received and noted the:

Capital Projects Report for March 2026
Q3 Quarterly TRC Performance Report 2025-26
Unconfirmed minutes of the Audit, Risk & Improvement Committee Meeting held on 16 March 2026

Business Without Notice

Cr Cardew raised a Question on Notice requesting an update on reconnection of Manthey Road to Isabella Street East.

Agendas, Minutes & Next Meetings

Next Meeting — The next Ordinary Council Meeting will be held at 9am on Thursday 28 May 2026, at the Coordination Centre, Atherton. Meetings are open to the public, live-streamed and recorded.