EXPRESS The
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Locally owned and proudly independent
Students’ chalk art experience Hannah Macleod, Jeannie-May Lyall and Natalia Westwood (pictured) were just three of the students that took part in a 3D chalk art workshop last week with international artist Jenny McCracken. Jenny was in Mareeba for the inaugural Mareeba Arts Festival which took place at Arnold Park on Saturday. Her visit included leaving behind a legacy of her work – a stunning ‘trick-of-the-eye’ mural on the wall outside the IGA building on Atherton Street. For more head to P5 & P7.
Farmers incensed By Rebecca Wallis
A vote of no confidence in Tablelands Regional Council (TRC) was carried by 160 rate payers at a public meeting at the Atherton International Club last Wednesday, despite the fact that council claim the issue is out of their hands.
The meeting was supposed to be an opportunity for the property owners to get a clearer understanding of why rates had increased so significantly for some land holders. But TRC mayor Joe Paronella and his councillors declined to attend, stating he will be holding a private meeting with a few
delegates from the group at a later date. As reported in last week’s Express newspaper, properties in the TRC shire were valued earlier in the year by the Queensland Valuer-General, with some properties in the Category F – Primary Production area jumping up in value by over 90 per cent. In an open
letter to ratepayers published on the TRC website before the meeting early last week Cr Paronella stated: “This regulation stipulates that councils must calculate the rates for land by using the rateable value of the land.” (The letter can be read in full in our letters section on P10). Cr Paronella also said
that only a small number of ratepayers were heavily effected by the increases with fewer than half of valuations in the Primary Production section increasing and just over a quarter experiencing a decline in land value, therefore seeing their rates decrease. He also said that 30 per cent had little or no change
in their valuations. But attendees of the meeting claimed the rate rise was significant for the majority of them and that council should have capped the increases as it had been done in previous years. “This situation has brought stress, depression and anxiety to the people in the area,” said Jerry Micola
who chaired the meeting. “There is nothing stopping the council from cushioning the blow, but instead they keep deflecting the issue.” Les Preston is a solicitor from Malanda who represents many of the land holders affected. Continued P2
What’s New at Amaroo? Capital 231 on 4 Jannali $383,000* QBCC 1076708
* House & land are sold on seperate contacts
Sales Centre open Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 3pm. By appointment anytime.
Debbie Sweedman 0409 321 000
www.amarooestate.com.au