Senior Accommodation
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Senior Accommodation

Cook Shire Council is committed to assisting and supporting the well being of its older residents within our remote community.  

Council's Corporate Plan 2012/20 identifies the need to manage and provide to a standard that ensures, at a minimum, legislative compliance and equitable access to aged care housing. 

Endeavour Lodge, Coral Sea and May Street Units

Council manages 18 low-cost long-term rental units for the Shire’s aged residents. The units aim to provide safe, secure, affordable and accessible accommodation for the most vulnerable people in our community and individuals in greatest need. The units are designed for independent living*, consisting of nine one-bedroom duplexes with a communal garden. Six of the 18 units are named the “Coral Sea” and prospective tenants are recommended by the Department of Veteran Affairs Cooktown RSL Sub-Branch wait list. Six of the 12 units are named “The Endeavour Lodge”, and advertised through expressions of interest in local media, and six units' applicants are referred from the Department of Housing and Public Works Sub-Branch Cooktown Hub.

All units comprise of one bedroom with an ensuite bathroom, combined lounge, kitchen, laundry and front rear porch and carports. Council is responsible for all building maintenance, lawns and fit the tenant/resident to live in and operate conditions under provisions as per the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008, Department of Housing and Public Works (Community Housing Services) and Building Regulation Act 1975.

Council does not provided in-home care to the residents and will encourage linking tenants to appropriate support services as the need arises, working in close partnership with Cooktown Multi-purpose Health Service and Home and Community Care team who provide necessary assistance to remain in the home. For more information on these services please phone 4043 0188.

*Independent living means: to live in one’s home or community safely and comfortable, to be able to assume their own decision making, supporting themselves, meals, hygiene, medication, bathing, eating, dressing, toileting, basic housekeeping and laundry, and able to complete housing chores. Support services are permitted, not provided.

Eligibility for Coral Sea, Endeavour and May Street Units

Coral Sea Units (private rental)

Please contact the Department of Veteran's Affairs Cooktown RSL Sub-branch Welfare and Pensions Officer to discuss eligibility criteria (returned services personnel only). The referred applicant is then processed by Cook Shire Council's Selection Committee.
Welfare and Pensions Officer
Cooktown RSL Sub Branch
PO Box 843
Cooktown Qld 4895
Phone 4069 6353, 0459 473 048 or 0413 322 625

Endeavour Lodge Units (private rental)

To be eligible for the Endeavour Lodge Units applicants must meet intake eligibility criteria which include:
  • Must be a current resident of the Cook Shire or able to produce evidence of having lived in the region for a number a years;
  • Must be in receipt of an Australian Aged Pension or aged over 65 years old;
  • Must be able to live independently and care for herself/himself; (a confidential medical report completed by a general practitioner will be required);
  • Queensland Government Application for Housing Assistance and all supporting documents submitted to Cook Shire Council;
  • Proof of identity;
  • Independent Living Assessment form to be provided to Cook Shire Council;
  • Confidential Medical Certificate form;
  • Able to live responsibly and respectfully in close proximity with other individuals sharing the communal grounds; and
  • The applicant and any intended household member cannot own, or party own, property within Australia or overseas, including a residential home including house, flat, townhouse or unit, vacant land, including residential or rural property, a manufactured or transportable home or commercial or industrial property.
Cook Shire Council Senior Housing Officer
10 Furneaux Street, PO Box 3
Cooktown Qld 4895
Phone 4082 0500 or email mail@cook.qld.gov.au

May Street Units (Community Housing rental)

The applicant will need to submit the Queensland Government's Application for Housing Assistance form to the Department of Housing and Public Works Sub-Branch Cooktown Hub, Far North Region for processing and approval.

  • Community Housing Applicant referral report can only be accepted from Cooktown Hub;
  • Applicants approved and fitting the criteria, match to property will be forwarded to Cook Shire Council;
  • Applicants must be 55 or older;
  • Proof of identity; and
  • The applicant and any intended household member cannot own, or party own, property within Australia or overseas, including a residential home including house, flat, townhouse or unit, vacant land, including residential or rural property, a manufactured or transportable home or commercial or industrial property.

For more information

Priority will be given to those applicants who are on low incomes and those individuals in high need. Unfortunately, it is policy that strictly no pets are permitted to be kept at the units.

If you wish to apply for a Council unit you must complete and Application for Housing Assistance form, Independent Living Assessment form, Confidential Medical Certificate form and provide all supporting documents. 

If your application meets Council’s and Department of Housing and Public Works Social Community Housing eligibility criteria your name will be placed on a Housing Register waiting list.  All accommodation is classified “Long Term Housing” and once a suitable vacancy arises, you will be notified in writing. 

All applications received will be considered by an assessment panel (Selection Committee) which includes both community members and health professionals, and remains “strictly Private and Confidential”.  Council will advise all applicants of the Selection Committee’s decision.

For further enquiries please contact Council's Senior Housing Officer by phone on 4082 0500 or

ABN: 45 425 085 688

10 Furneaux Street Cooktown, Qld 4895

Mail: PO Box 3 Cooktown, Qld 4895

Email: mail@cook.qld.gov.au

Phone: (07) 4082 0500

Fax: (07) 4082 0588

Hours: 8.45am-4.45pm Monday to Friday