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 children aged zero to fifteen months. This gap places significant pressure on families, local employers, and workforce participation.
While childcare is not traditionally a local government responsibility, Council has stepped in where possible and continues to advocate strongly for sustainable, long-term solutions.
In 2017, Council purchased the Barrier Reef Child Care Centre to help maintain access to local childcare services. Since that time, a range of service delivery models have been trialled. However, strict compliance requirements, workforce shortages, staffing qualifications, and operational costs make childcare services particularly difficult to sustain in regional and remote communities.
Council is actively advocating to the Federal Government for funding to support childcare infrastructure, and to the Queensland Government to recognise Cooktown and Lakeland as ‘areas of need’ to help prioritise services in our region.
Mayor Robyn Holmes said Council’s focus remains on advocacy and collaboration across all levels of government and the private sector.
“Council is actively advocating to the Federal Government for funding to support childcare infrastructure, and to the Queensland Government to recognise Cooktown and Lakeland as ‘areas of need’ to help prioritise services in our region,” Mayor Holmes said.
Council is also working closely with State Member for Cook, David Kempton MP, to better understand childcare demand across the Shire and to strengthen the case for government support.
In parallel, Council continues to engage with private specialist childcare providers and operators to highlight the demonstrated need for childcare services in Cook Shire and encourage future investment in the region.
Mayor Holmes said it was important for the community to understand that sustainable childcare solutions take time and require collaboration beyond local government.
“There is no quick fix, and any expansion of services comes with additional costs,” she said. “However, Council will continue advocating strongly to ensure our community’s needs are heard and not overlooked.”
Council encourages families to continue sharing their experiences to support ongoing advocacy efforts by emailing their stories to mail@cook.qld.gov.au
This information will be shared with Cooktown Early Childhood Community Network (ECCN) to help strengthen advocacy efforts and support practical, evidence-based solutions that reflect local need.