May 2025 North Queensland regional council roundup: Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Julia Creek, Richmond, Hughenden, Charters Towers, Burdekin, Hinchinbrook
A roundup of all NQ council meetings – bringing the Today Show to town, more wagon adventures, a crack down on long-term free campers, and a potential new freehold station. FULL REPORT.
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From $100,000 for Kronosaurus Korner, more wagon adventures, a crackdown on long-term free camping, bringing the Today Show to town, and a potential new freehold station – here’s a roundup of all the good bits from the regional NQ council meetings, May 2025.
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MOUNT ISA | CLONCURRY | MCKINLAY | RICHMOND | FLINDERS | CHARTERS TOWERS | BURDEKIN | HINCHINBROOK
Mount Isa City Council (May 29) Mayor Peta MacRae
– $25,000 ‘Today Show’ for rodeo
The council agreed to provide $25,000 in financial support to bring ‘The Today Show’ to the Mount Isa Rodeo on August 8.
The council also approved the Rodeo Committee’s request to use the “Rodeo Capital of Australia” logo on merchandise for a 12-month period.
IN FAVOUR: MacRae, J Coghlan, K Coghlan, Crowther
AGAINST: Ballard
ABSENT: Doyle, Tully
– $100,000 ‘Mount Isa Blast’
A proposal for a new music event called the ‘Mount Isa Blast’, to be performed as part of the Queensland Music Festival’s 9-day outback trial was discussed.
The council approved a cash sponsorship of $100,000 and ‘in-kind sponsorships’ of $63,000 for the event, which is expected to play in May 2026.
IN FAVOUR: MacRae, K. Coghlan, Crowther
AGAINST: Ballard, J. Coghlan
ABSENT: Doyle, Tully
– Park plane flies away for restoration
The beloved de Havilland plane which sits pride of place in George McCoy Park on three steel beams has been donated ‘as-is’ to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
The RFDS intend to relocate and restore the plane to its original condition, and use it as a display piece at their Mount Isa visitor centre.
– $150,000 stockyard upgrades ‘on track’
The Mount Isa Stockyard upgrade, with a budget of $150,000, was reported as being ‘on track’ to councillors
– Economic uncertainty
Mayor Peta MacRae highlighted that Council is keenly aware of the economic uncertainty as the underground copper mine begins to close down.
The council plans to continue leveraging the State Government’s $6.8 million Mount Isa Transition Fund to advance projects outlined in the Future Ready Economy Roadmap
– Community grants
Mount Isa Filipino-Australia Association ($1,589), Zonta Club of Mount Isa ($4,187).
Cloncurry Regional Council (special meeting May 6, ordinary meeting May 20) Mayor Greg Campbell
– $1.2m roadworks near Three Rivers
Cloncurry Shire councillors voted to award a $1.2m roadwork tender to Elliott’s Transport and Plant Hire Pty Ltd to do two jobs:
(1) deliver 2024 DRFA repairs to Yambungan, Granada-Boomara, and Clonagh Rd for $714,946
(2) fix 2025 flood damage to Yambungan, Granada-Boomara and Clonagh Rd (maximum of $500,000 funding available)
Elliott’s Transport and Plant Hire was selected over T’s Plant Hire Pty Ltd which quoted $1.2m to deliver the 2024 DRFA repairs – far higher than Elliott’s Transport’s $714,946 quote.
– Hensley Dr transport depot application
A development application for a material change of use was approved by council, to turn 2 Hensley Drive into a ‘transport depot’.
– Community grant allocation
The council approved community grant funding to 20 groups, those above $5,000 are listed here:
Cloncurry & District Show Society ($25,000)
Quamby Allsports Association ($15,000)
Performing Arts of Cloncurry ($5,054)
Elliot Watson – Suffer in Silence ($9,336)
Apex Club of Mount Isa ($5,000)
McKinlay Shire Council (special meeting May 6, ordinary meeting May 20) Mayor Janene Fegan
– ‘Werrina’ on track to become freehold
Two parcels of land which make up ‘Werrina Station’ are on track to become freehold, but there were some intital concerns about the future of a neighbour’s driveway
The concerns were brought to the council by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, which is the authority trying to convert Werrina to freehold.
The department pointed out that a nearby private road – Land End Station Access Rd – which acts as a driveway for a neighbouring homestead, was within the borders of Werrina Station and private consultation was needed to find a solution.
Councillor Luke Spreadborough said the council discovered this was actually a Google Earth issue, and the boundaries were actually slightly wrong.
“When you used QGlobe it can be out by 200 to 300 metres, so it was just an admin error,” Cr Spreadborough said.
The council resolved to not object to the department’s plans to push ahead with freehold.
The land being converted to freehold is GHPL 23/16298 2EN40 & 1MF21.
– $212,957 from Critical Minerals Queensland for aerodrome upgrade report
The council has obtained agreement from Critical Minerals Queensland to fund an upgrade report for Julia Creek Aerodrome.
Engineering service GHD have quoted the council $212,957 to complete this ‘upgrade report’ and Critical Minerals Queensland are offering to cover the bill.
Councillors voted to engage GHD to complete the report, and accepted the funding from Critical Minerals Queensland.
– Sunset St subdivision
The council approved a development application to subdivide Lot 99 Sunset St, Julia Creek
– Church St subdivision
The council approved a development application to subdivide Lot 17 Church St, Julia Creek
– George’s Marvellous Medicine
The council supported a Regional Arts Development Fund application for ‘George’s Marvellous Medicine’ by Shake & Stir Theatre Co, for $3,300
Richmond Shire Council (May 20) Mayor John Wharton
– $100,000 Kronosaurus Korner Grant
Kronosaurus Korner received a $100,000 grant from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund for lighting and new airconditioning.
However, due to the council budget constraints, the funds will be reallocated to fully pay for the lighting project.
Maintenance expenses on the existing airconditioning will also be covered by the grant.
– Richmond Saleyards Catwalk
Councillors discussed obtaining a quote for the installation of a secondary catwalk at the Richmond Saleyards, with the contractor to be engaged by the CEO for further discussion
– Tourism expanded with wagon adventures
Richmond Wagon Adventures was granted a yearly wet area permit for Matrons Bay at Lake Fred Tritton and Richmond Racecourse, and permission to use the Cambridge Ruins for tour activities, expanding local tourism.
The council also approved maintenance work on the dirt road behind Lake Fred Tritton and committed to clearing a blocked water outlet pipe to help Richmond Wagon Adventure’s tour routes.
Flinders Shire Council (May 28) Mayor Kate Peddle
– What to do with $50,000
Councillors discussed the Community Grant Program, which still has $50,773 left to be allocated before the end of financial year, June 30.
In an effort to use this money, four more groups were approved funding at the meeting, Hughenden Golf Open Event ($2,500), Intensive Tennis Clinic ($6,300), Hughenden Country Music Festival ($20,000), and Dusty Brummel ($500 to help him attend State Championships).
This leaves $21,473 to be allocated.
– Emergency helicopters can be reimbursed
Then-acting Mayor Niki Flute finally received an answer after she questioned whether helicopter pilots who volunteered during an October 2024 fire event and the 2025 wet season were eligible for reimbursement under the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
In a letter to the council, Queensland Reconstruction Authority CEO Jake Ellwood said helicopters used for disaster operations were eligible for reimbursement under DRFA, and that the council should contact the Queensland Fire Department for more information.
Charters Towers Regional Council (May 21) Mayor Liz Schmidt
– The council adopts new salary levels
New salary levels were officially adopted, just one year after council’s last pay rise in July 2024.
The new salaries will come into place on July 1, 2025.
$149,895 for the Mayor (up from $146,239)
$93,684 for the deputy mayor (up from $91,399)
$79,630 for councillors (up from $77,688)
Mayor Liz Schmidt said the salary increases were presented to council by the remuneration assessor.
“It is widely accepted that small increases in cost are preferrable to larger ones in the future,” Mayor Schmidt said.
“Councillors are committed to meeting community expectation, and we do that. My position is full-time, I am at work every business day... and there are numerous after hours and weekend committments carried out by myself and all councillors.”
– BOM wants weather stations
The Bureau of Meteorology is seeking to take over several weather stations currently being run by Charters Towers Regional Council.
The BOM recently applied to the council to endorse the handover of a rainfall station at Running River (Hidden Valley).
Councillors endorsed the handover of Running River (TM -532155) rainfall station, where it will now act as part of the BOM’s ‘national 10-year Flood Warning Infrastructure Network’ (FWIN).
– Changes to Macrossan Park and Fletcher Creek free campgrounds
The council is cracking down on the Macrossan Park and Fletcher Creek free campgrounds after several close calls during the February and March floods when campers refused to leave and were flooded in.
Councillors resolved that the maximum stay period for a person to occupy Macrossan Park is now seven days in any 28 day period, and at Fletcher Creek it is now 28 days in any 56 day period.
Councillors also resolved to close the camping grounds to public access in the following circumstances: (1) periods when dangerous weather is expected to impact the campgrounds and (2) when the CEO considers closure is in the public interest.
– Shopping centre development application
The council has approved a Development Application for 4-14 Cavey Crt, Queenton.
The application was made by Goldtower Properties, who seek to develop the land as a shopping centre.
– Staff housing
Councillors endorsed the future development of council staff housing on 3-5 Bow St and 7 Bow St.
– Regional Arts Development Fund (over $5,000)
Ravenswood Restoration and Preservation Association received $6,200 for the ‘Wirraway Memorial’ project
Towers Arts Inc received $5000 for the ‘Holiday Art Hop’ school holidays workshop
Burdekin Shire Council (May 13) Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort
– Home Hill Industrial Estate pause
The council endorsed a ‘desktop review’ of the Home Hill Industrial Estate Master Plan and resolved to “take no further action until demand increases for industrial land”.
The Home Hill Industrial Estate Master Plan is a proposed strategic development of 100 hectares of industrial land to the north and south of Home Hill.
– $332,098 for three tipper trucks
The council will purchase three tipper trucks from Isuzu Trucks Townsville for a total value of $332,098.
Isuzu NQR 88-190 for $139,750, a Isuzu NQR 88-190 for $115,860 and a Isuzu NQR 45/55-155 for $76,487
– Community Grants (over $5000)
Burdekin Shire Council approved $5,300 of ‘in-kind support’ to the Ayr Pastoral Agricultural and Industrial Association.
Twelve other community groups also received small grants.
Hinchinbrook Regional Council (May 27) Mayor Ramon Jayo
– Sandbags out, rock groynes in
The council have approved an application to remove eight ‘geotextile sandbag groyne’ structures from the Lucinda Foreshore and replace them with more durable rock groyne structures.
The sandbag groynes were originally placed on the foreshore between 2001 and 2005.
– Land values to be reassessed
Recently the Department of Natural Resources wrote to the council’s chief financial officer seeking the council’s opinion on whether an ‘annual valuation’ of land in the Hinchinbrook Shire should be undertaken, and new land values published on June 30 next year (2026).
Councillors agreed a revaluation should be performed.
– Lynn St, Herbert St properties to become ‘medium impact industry’ zones
Several properties along Lynn St and Herbert St will soon become part of a ‘medium impact industry’ zone after council voted to accept a Material Change of Use application.
The new medium impact zone will be used specifically for the purposes of ‘furniture manufacturing, display, and sales’.
The lots affected are 28, 32, 36 Lynn St and 79, 85, 87 Herbert St.
– Allingham subdivision
The council approved a request to subdivide four lots into five lots on Acacia St, Allingham
The subdivision affects the boundaries of 7-9 Acacia St.
– Work to begin on flood-damaged roads
Work will begin shortly on several roads damaged badly in the 2025 wet season after a contractor was finally selected.
R Marbelli & S Marbelli, alongside Timrith Transport, have secured the tender for the DRFA-funded roadworks.
Councillor Donna Marbelli excused herself from the room while this decision was being made.
– Community grants (over $5000)
The council approved three large community grants in the May meeting
$12,000 for the Ingham Show
$5.000 for Herbert River Rugby League’s 30-year anniversary celebrations
$10,000 for Country Club Challenge Qualifier at the Hinchinbrook Cup Raceday
More Coverage
Originally published as May 2025 North Queensland regional council roundup: Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Julia Creek, Richmond, Hughenden, Charters Towers, Burdekin, Hinchinbrook
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