It’s about time Tablelands Regional Council stopped the spin, lies and diversion tactics and came clean with ratepayers and residents. Here are a few things TRC clearly doesn’t want you to know:
- There have been longstanding plans to demolish and dispose of historic buildings throughout the Tablelands, under a TRC rationalisation of assets policy.
- TRC has refused to declare which buildings will be demolished, to justify ‘multi-purpose facilities’ being built in Atherton, Malanda and Ravenshoe.
- In June 2024 TRC began to conceal the 10 year forward capital works budget. Preventing anyone from accessing any details on what is planned for and when. All three multipurpose facilities are hidden within that document.
- The belief of some that the facility in Malanda is to simply replace the Pavilion is unfortunately misguided. The Community Facilities Options report makes clear - multiple buildings will go.
- A TRC internal document states ‘low hanging fruit / least political damage’ buildings be identified. If the Pavilion is low hanging fruit - just imagine what is planned.
- TRC’s talking points claim they have a ‘low rates base.’ This claim has been used to justify the demolition and disposals plans of council – along with library and other closures.
- TRC’s rates revenue is approx. $20 million per year higher than that of Mareeba Shire Council. Council does not have a rates revenue problem – it has an expenditure problem.
- TRC’s wages and entitlements bill was 28.1 million last financial year – 8.4 million / year higher than Mareeba.
- The inward generosity councillors exhibit in voting to approve pay rises - is apparently not reciprocated towards sporting clubs seeking rates assistance.
- TRC has launched a sham consultation process with a farcical ‘survey’ designed to justify council plans. One might have thought Marti would have learnt from the Pavilion survey scandal - apparently not.
- TRC voted for this ‘consultation’ in June 2025 – it was supposed to be submitted to council in Sept. Nothing was done and residents have now been given less than three weeks to respond.
- The survey asks people to order the priority of five council provided factors. This survey would likely be difficult for some in our community to participate in and impossible for those who are not tech savvy.
- The factors include heritage listing. This is farcical given State Heritage listed buildings can not be demolished. TRC used deplorable tactics (ignoring engineering reports & withholding potential risks to public safety etc.,) to override the Local Heritage Overlay on the Pavilion. State listings are a different ballgame entirely.
- Place of Refuge / Alternatives and Activity Centre are all included as levers to justify the multipurpose facilities already planned - and the bulldozing / disposal of historically significant buildings.
- The survey offers no ability to comment nor do anything other than move the five options by way of rating the priority, in an opaque manner.
- TRC turned off commenting on the facebook post linking the survey to prohibit any negative comments on the process.
- The Local Government Act principle states: 'democratic representation, social inclusion and meaningful community engagement.’ This scandalous box ticking exercise clearly does not align with the intent of the Local Government Act.
- TRC’s tender process for the demolition of the Pavilion was a failure. I am aware of companies refusing to tender given the serious controversy surrounding TRC's conduct. Understandably respected companies do not want their name associated with very serious allegations of misconduct, nor the inevitable legal ramifications that will result.
- TRC have decided to - in secret - revisit the tender process at this week’s council meeting.
If we don't stand up to council we are going to lose the assets and features that make our towns so unique and attractive to residents and visitors alike.
Councillors were voted by the people to represent the people. It is astounding that in the lead up to the election many were all over social media. Where are they now? Virtual ghosts.
The secrecy, lack of transparency and lack of honesty of this council is absolutely disgraceful.