Latest News

Cook Shire Council wishes to inform residents and visitors of the operating hours for Council offices and facilities during the upcoming Easter long weekend. A number of Council offices, depots, and facilities will be closed from Friday, 3 April 2026 (Good Friday)...

Due to the current uncertain weather conditions across the Shire, Council will no longer be attending the Rossville Markets this Sunday 8 March 2026, to run out interactive budget survey. Council staff are currently focused on monitoring conditions and supporting the...

Following Council’s earlier update regarding wet weather impacts across the Shire, crews continue to monitor and assess conditions across the road network. Initial inspections have identified damage along sections of Bloomfield Road, including at Platypus Creek, where...

Cook Shire Council is advising residents that significant rainfall and flooding across the region have caused damage to a number of roads throughout the Shire. Council crews are currently working to assess road conditions and determine the extent of the damage. These...

Cook Shire Council advises that the Cooktown Splash Park is closed until Wednesday 5 March due to significant system blockages caused by a significant quantity of small, styrofoam-coloured beads. A significant quantity of small, candy-coloured styrofoam beads and...

Cook Shire Council met with senior representatives from Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS) on Friday 27 February 2026 to receive a formal update on the redevelopment of the Cooktown Multipurpose Health Service (MPHS), a $200 million Queensland...

A guide to checking river crossings across Cook Shire With wet weather affecting parts of the region, many residents and travellers rely on river gauge data to monitor crossing conditions. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) provides real-time river height information...

Cook Shire Council is once again calling on the community to stand together following a significant and deeply disappointing spree of vandalism across multiple public facilities in Cooktown. The latest damage bill is currently estimated at approximately $15,000 with...

Cook Shire Council has successfully completed an essential food resupply to the remote community of Coen, delivering 3,301 kilograms of vital goods on Friday 27 February 2026. The coordinated effort ensured shelves were restocked with key food items, supporting...

Cooktown is set to welcome the Arthur Beetson Future Immortals Tour, offering young rugby league players an exciting opportunity to develop their skills, meet elite ambassadors, and take part in fun games and community activities. Thursday 12 March – Youth Coaching...

Families across the Shire are invited to come together for a morning of Easter fun at Bloomfield Library on Saturday 28 March. Easter in Ayton will run from 9am to 12 midday and promises a relaxed, family-friendly celebration packed with activities for local children....

Mayor Robyn Holmes has shared a monthly update highlighting key decisions from the February 2026 Ordinary Council Meeting. Cook Shire Council has endorsed several important initiatives at its latest Ordinary Meeting, focused on smart financial management, community...

Cook Shire residents aged 50 and over are invited to step confidently into the digital world at the upcoming Digital + You workshop, hosted at Cooktown Library on Wednesday 22 April at 10am. The free hands-on session is designed to help participants build practical...

Cook Shire Council was pleased to welcome a fantastic turnout of community members to last night’s community update and budget engagement, held upstairs at the Sovereign. The event provided a relaxed and informative space for locals to hear about Council’s projects,...

Get ready, Cook Shire! The Cooktown Shire Hall will come alive with the sound of fiddles, reels and toe-tapping Celtic tunes this March for the St Patrick’s Day Jig. A night of music, dancing and good craic. The celebration will be held on Saturday 21 March 2026 from...

As planning gets underway for the 2026–27 Budget, Cook Shire Council is inviting the community to get involved. Whether you attend the main Community Update event or participate in the roadshow, this is your opportunity to be informed, engaged and part of the...

Community invited to Lakeland consultation on proposed Planning Scheme Amendment Cook Shire Council is inviting members of the Lakeland community to come along and find out more about a proposed amendment to the Cook Shire Planning Scheme 2017 – Version 2. The...

Cook Shire Council is currently undertaking targeted inspections of sewer infrastructure across Cooktown and surrounding areas, focusing on locations known to experience high levels of infiltration during heavy rainfall. As part of this work, Council staff are...

Residents of Lakeland are invited to join a Community Consultation Day at the Lakeland Library on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, from 10:00am to 1:00pm. This is a great opportunity for locals to share their thoughts, ideas, and priorities following Tropical Cyclone Jasper...

Cook Shire Council is inviting the community to a relaxed and informative community update and budget engagement on Thursday 19 February 2026, designed to make it easy to understand how the Council budget works and what projects and priorities are shaping the Shire....

Council is now inviting community feedback on Major Amendment 3.0 (Lakeland) to the Cook Shire Planning Scheme. Following completion of the required State interest review process, Council is commencing the mandated public notification period in accordance with the...

Even during the wet season, it’s important to protect our treated water supply—and your household budget. Many residents don’t realise that small leaks, especially those hidden underground or in toilets and irrigation systems, can add up to thousands of litres of lost...

The auction will take place at Cook Shire Council's Waster Transfer Station MacMillan St Cooktown on Monday 23 February 2026. Vehicles can be viewed from 9am, auction commences at 9.15am sharp.  LOT 94 –  1994 TOYOTA CAMRY SEDAN LOT 95 –  2004 MAZDA 6 HATCHBACK LOT 96...

Community members are invited to get moving and have fun with weekly Zumba classes at the Cooktown Events Centre, running from Thursday 5 February to Thursday 2 April. Held every Thursday from 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm, the classes offer an energetic and inclusive way to...

Cook Shire Council is pleased to announce that Weary Bay now has a new all-access public toilet, officially open for community use. The facility has been designed to provide safe, inclusive and accessible amenities for people of all abilities, making it easier for...

Cooktown’s young people will have a new place to hang out, get active and have fun after school, with CDCC contracted to deliver an after-school youth program for youth aged 10-17 years throughout Term 1. Commencing Tuesday 3 February until Thursday 2 April, the...

Cook Shire Council acknowledges that access to childcare has been a long-standing concern for families across the Shire, particularly in Cooktown and Lakeland.Currently, childcare availability remains limited across the region, with no formal services available for...

Cook Shire Council has completed a further review of the recently installed traffic calming device at the Ida Street and May Street intersection, informed by community feedback, operational experience and relevant traffic management guidance. The original decision to...

Cook Shire Council Mayor Robyn Holmes has shared a new Moment with the Mayor video, providing an update following recent discussions on local health services and Council’s first meeting for 2026. In the video, Mayor Holmes reflects on a recent meeting with the...

Cook Shire Council is encouraging local performers and community fundraising groups to register their interest in being involved in Council-run events throughout the year. As part of ongoing efforts to support local talent and community initiatives, Council is...

With more rain forecast for the Cook Shire, Council is providing an update on the status of flood cameras across the region and reminding residents and visitors to check conditions before travelling. Oaky Creek Road Causeway (Endeavour Valley Road)The flood camera at...

Cook Shire Council is calling on community members to help shape the 2026 Cooktown Discovery Festival. Community members are invited to join the Festival Family, a collaborative group that will contribute fresh ideas and contribute towards the programming of this...

The Coen community is invited to enjoy a fun night out at Coen Town Hall with a screening of Wicked: For Good on Friday 30 January. Gates will open at 6:00pm, with the movie starting at 6:30pm. Free popcorn will be available for all attendees, making it a relaxed and...

Cook Shire Council acknowledges community concerns regarding the Lakeland Waste Transfer Station (WTS) not currently being open on Saturdays and appreciates the community’s patience and understanding. Council has recently resumed management of the Lakeland WTS. During...

Cook Shire Council is advising the community that further works are required as part of the air-conditioning upgrade at the Cooktown Events Centre Gym. To allow these works to be completed, the gym’s air-conditioning system will be shut down again from Monday 19...

Cooktown is set to welcome passengers and crew from the Seven Seas Navigator cruise ship on Friday 16 January 2026, weather permitting. The ship has 496 passengers and 365 crew on board, with the first tender scheduled to arrive at the Cooktown Wharf at 12pm, bringing...

As we move through the wet season in Far North Tropical Queensland, Cook Shire Council is reminding residents, property owners and visitors to be aware of melioidosis, a rare but potentially serious bacterial infection that occurs naturally in soil and water across...

Free sandbags are now available to residents in Cooktown, Ayton, Rossville, Bloomfield and Helenvale as a low pressure system off the coast is forecast to bring rain and thunderstorms to Far North Queensland and Australia's northern coastline. Cooktown residents can...

UPDATE:  The pool will reopen on Saturday 10 January and Sunday 11 January 2026, from 1-6PM.  Thank you for your patience and understanding.   Cook Shire Council advises that the Cooktown Swimming Pool will be closed from 1:00pm today due to severe weather...

With a low weather system forecast to approach the region, Cook Shire Council is sharing information to help residents stay informed, prepared and connected — without alarm. Council’s Resilience Hubs and local Community Response Officers are on standby and ready to...

Cook Shire Council advises the community that an air-conditioning upgrade is scheduled for the Cooktown Events Centre Gym, commencing Monday 12 January. The contractor has completed all preparation works and is now ready to proceed with the system changeover. To...

Please be advised that Cook Shire Council offices, buildings, and venues will be closed on Monday 26 January 2026 for the Australia Day public holiday. Closed facilities include: Council Administration Building Cooktown Events Centre (24-hour gym remains available)...

The Cook Shire community is invited to join Council in celebrating Australia Day and recognising the outstanding contributions of local individuals and groups who help make our region such a special place to live.   Monday 26 January 20269.00 amCooktown Shire...

Due to recent weather conditions and vandalism affecting both John Street Oval and Queens Oval, Council has made changes to the upcoming School Holiday Sports Program to ensure activities can continue safely. All scheduled sports activities will now take place at the...