Cook Shire Council’s locally led disaster recovery program has earned two nominations in the 2026 IPWEA Queensland and Northern Territory Excellence Awards.
Council has been nominated for:
- Disaster Recovery Project of the Year: Restoring Cape York: Delivering Disaster Recovery in a Single Season
- Environment and Sustainability: Building a More Resilient Cape York Through Disaster Recovery
“This is an extraordinary achievement… Our teams manage everything from damage assessments, engineering and environmental approvals through to procurement, construction, financial reporting and evidence gathering.
“They have built a system that allows this enormous program to be managed locally and delivered within Cape York’s seven-month dry-season construction window.”
The recognition follows Council’s delivery of an annual reconstruction program valued at approximately $60 million, involving around 20 roadworks crews and more than 200 people during a typical construction season.
Cook Shire Mayor Robyn Holmes said the nominations recognised the Council teams, contractors and local suppliers working across vast distances and difficult conditions to restore critical Cape York roads.
“This is an extraordinary local achievement,” Cr Holmes said.
“Our teams manage everything from damage assessments, engineering and environmental approvals through to procurement, construction, financial reporting and evidence gathering.
“They have built a system that allows this enormous program to be managed locally and delivered within Cape York’s seven-month dry-season construction window.”
The projects are jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Following widespread flooding during the 2025–26 wet season, Council mobilised its dedicated disaster recovery team and locally based contractors to restore essential roads, drainage structures and floodways before the next wet season.
Council’s purpose-built Flood Damage System brings assessments, work instructions, contractor management, financial reporting, project tracking and GPS-enabled proof of works into one digital platform.
The local delivery model also supports accommodation providers, fuel suppliers, transport operators, equipment suppliers and other regional businesses.
Building back stronger
The second nomination recognises Council’s focus on strengthening vulnerable infrastructure rather than repeatedly replacing it on a like-for-like basis.
More than $5 million in approved betterment works has been delivered across successive disaster events, helping reduce repeat damage, improve the reliability of essential transport links and lower future recovery costs.
Environmental and cultural heritage considerations are incorporated throughout planning, with Council working alongside Traditional Owners, government agencies and environmental regulators.
“Every time we rebuild something stronger, we reduce the risk of our communities facing the same disruption and governments facing the same repair bill,” Cr Holmes said.
“Good disaster recovery should reconnect communities quickly, support local businesses and leave infrastructure better prepared for the next event.”
A proven local approach
Cr Holmes said Cook Shire’s experience provided a strong example of what could be achieved through responsible financial management, skilled local delivery and strong partnerships.
“Cook Shire has shown that disaster recovery funding can be managed responsibly, delivered efficiently and turned into real, long-term benefits,” she said.
“As governments consider future disaster recovery funding arrangements, it is important they continue to support proven local delivery and investment in more resilient infrastructure.
“Our teams remain focused on delivering the current reconstruction program and maintaining existing service levels through to the end of the 2026–27 financial year.
“The priority remains keeping our communities connected and delivering the best long-term value from every recovery dollar.”
Award winners will be announced on 1 October at the Sunshine Coast Convention Centre.
For more information contact Cook Shire Council via email to mail@cook.qld.gov.au or by phoning 4082 0500.
Pictured above: Side-by-side images show a flood-damaged unsealed road in Lakefield before (left) and after (right) restoration works delivered by Cook Shire Council through its extensive Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) program.
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