Plant Operator Parks & Gardens (Kuranda)

Mareeba Shire Council; Mareeba Shire; On-site; AUD 58,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGEA Level 4 salary

Mareeba Allowance

12% employer superannuation

5 weeks annual leave

9 day fortnight

Fitness Passport

Discounted health insurance

Gift cards

Corporate banking

Learning and development opportunities

Salary sacrificing options

Job summary

Mareeba Shire Council invites applications for a Plant Operator Parks & Gardens to maintain open spaces across the Mareeba Shire. The role is based in Kuranda but covers all locations within the Shire and involves outdoor tasks daily.

The role requires operating and sustaining council plant, from mowing to weeding, with a focus on safety and efficiency, and adherence to weight and SWL limits for machinery.

Qualifications

• You will have completed work outdoors with plants and machinery.
• You must hold a current Queensland C Class driver's licence and a General Construction Induction Card.
• You should be physically fit to undertake manual tasks in hot and humid conditions.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain a range of council plant, equipment and machinery safely.
• Perform mowing, brush cutting and weeding to maintain open spaces.
• Carry out fertilising, irrigating and litter collection as required.
• Assist with general parks and gardens maintenance across Mareeba Shire.

Skills

Plant operation

General maintenance

Horticulture knowledge

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Tools

Mowers

Brush cutters

Chainsaws

Job description

Annual Rate: LGEA Level 4 - $62,850 per annum

Position Type: Permanent, full-time position

Location: Kuranda, QLD, 4881

Application Close Date: Thursday, 8 October 2026

• Based in Kuranda, work in the great outdoors across a 9 day fortnight
• Join a dedicated team responsible for maintaining the presentation of Mareeba Shire's open spaces
• Mowing, brush cutting and weeding are all in a days work
• Operate and maintain a range of machinery and equipment in a safe and efficient manner

About Mareeba Shire Council

Located in beautiful Far North Queensland where the rainforest meets the Outback, the Mareeba Shire provides an idyllic, regional lifestyle with the convenience of being only an hour from an international airport, cafes, restaurants, theatres and tropical beaches in the regional city of Cairns.

Mareeba Shire Council is a high-performing, community-focussed organisation with over 200 dedicated staff. Our recent budget was praised in the media for its considered and sensible approach, demonstrating our commitment to financial responsibility and community investment. This is a unique opportunity to join a well-regarded council making a real impact across the region.

The role

As a Plant Operator Parks & Gardens, you will undertake a variety of duties to assist in the presentation and maintenance of Council's open spaces. Your days will be spent outdoors completing many tasks from brush cutting and mowing, to weeding, fertilising, irrigating and picking up litter. You will operate and complete general maintenance on Council's plant, equipment and other machinery safely and provide other support to the workgroup to keep our parks and gardens across the Mareeba Shire looking their best.

This position is based in Kuranda, however is required to work across all locations within the Mareeba Shire.

The position requires physically demanding work to be undertaken in a hot and humid climate on a daily basis. As such it is the responsibility of the Plant Operator Parks & Gardens to ensure they are physically fit and able to efficiently and consistently undertake these tasks. This includes a requirement to maintain their weight at or below the Safe Working Load (SWL) for the seat of the machinery and equipment the position is required to operate.

What we are looking for

You will be able to work as part of a team in an outdoor environment and have solid communication skills, both written and verbal. You will:

• Be able to safely operate Council owned plant such as mowers, brush cutters and chainsaws
• Have the ability to perform general maintenance on machinery
• Be able to demonstrate your knowledge and experience in horticulture
• Hold a current Queensland C Class driver's licence and current Queensland General Construction Induction Card
• Be physically fit to undertake manual handling and labouring tasks in hot and humid conditions

Applicants local to the Kuranda area are encouraged to apply.

You will be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, Australian permanent resident or have unrestricted work rights in Australia. You must be able to provide evidence that you can legally work in Australia upon request. Mareeba Shire Council does not offer employer visa sponsorship.

What we can offer you

• Permanent, full-time position
• LGEA Level 4 - $62,850 per annum
• Mareeba Allowance of $2,080 per annum
• 12% employer superannuation contributions
• 5 weeks annual leave with 17.5% leave loading
• Work life balance - 9 day fortnight
• Lifestyle benefits such as access to Fitness Passport, discounted health insurance, gift cards and corporate banking
• Learning and development opportunities
• Salary sacrificing options

For further information

Please refer to the Position Description, or contact James Haynes, Ganger Parks & Gardens, on 0428 196 421 (during business hours only).

Applications close Thursday, 8 October 2026

Mareeba Shire Council is committed to the principles of Equal Opportunity and workplace diversity. We encourage a diverse workforce reflective of our community to better meet the needs of our customers.