General News
24 August, 2026
Warrina petition tops 1500 names
A GROUNDSWELL of community sentiment in Innisfail has reached a new peak as local campaign organisers issue a heartfelt thank you to hundreds of residents who backed a petition calling on the Cassowary Coast Regional Council to repair – rather than demolish – the historic Warrina Lakes sheds.
In a letter, campaign leaders Jean McMillan and Allison Parisi expressed deep gratitude for the overwhelming local support.
The petition, which has gathered more than 1500 signatures across local shops, clubs and the annual Innisfail Show, highlights growing public frustration over council spending priorities and local heritage preservation.
“Thank you to all the people who signed our petition requesting that the council repair the Warrina Lakes shed rather than replace it,” the pair wrote.
“People expressed that the current building was in keeping with the history and the park. They liked the easy access and that it was free and could support several groups at the same time,” they said.
The iconic open-air structures, affectionately dubbed the “cow sheds,” were originally rebuilt on the site during the 1970s by local builders Maurice Robson and his son, Bob.
Today, the buildings host vital local initiatives, including free seniors’ exercise classes run by Ms McMillan. While council engineers contend the aging facility suffers from structural deficiencies and fails to meet modern cyclone standards, residents point to its proven resilience through three major cyclones.
Critics of the proposed modern replacement argue that an enclosed structure would destroy the building’s signature natural airflow and charm.
Beyond heritage concerns, the petition sparked broader discontent over council governance during tough economic times.
“The general feeling was that this council does not listen to the people,” the letter said. It said the views of the community were being ignored
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