Media Releases
Stay updated on Cook Shire Media Releases.
St. Patrick’s Day Jig to bring high-energy Celtic sounds to Cooktown
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...
Community Invited to Have Their Say on 2026–27 Budget
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...
Public notice: Temporary closure at Cooktown Library
Cooktown Library will be closed on Monday 23 March to undertake scheduled stocktake activities. The library will reopen as normal on Tuesday 24 March 2026. We apologise for any inconvenience and thank the community for your understanding. For more information, please...
Lakeland community consultation event
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...
Council inspections on ORGs and IOs underway
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...
Council disaster team host community consultation day at Lakeland Library
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...
Paper Rates Notices Reissue – Important Information for Ratepayers
Cook Shire Council advises ratepayers that a small administrative error has been identified on a limited number of paper Rates Notices sent by post. Electronic (email) Rates Notices are correct and unaffected. While the amounts payable, fees, charges, levies and due...
Invitation for Tenders T05325 Collection and disposal of regulated waste
Cook Shire Council invites tenders from suitably qualified and licensed tenderers to provide regulated waste collection, transport, processing and disposal services across multiple Council facilities within Cooktown and surrounding localities as described in more...
Council trails new hours for Waste Transfer Station in Lakeland and Laura
Cook Shire Council is trialing new opening hours for the Lakeland and Laura Waste Transfer Stations. Residents are encouraged to make use of the revised times starting the week of Monday 16 February 2026: Laura Waste Transfer Station Wednesdays: 8:00 am – 12:00 noon...
Community invited to Council community update and budget engagement
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....
Public Notification now open: Lakeland Planning Scheme Amendment
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...
Find and fix leaks — It’s a small step that can save you money
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...
TMR roadworks notice
Council has been advised that the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) will be carrying out reconstruction works at multiple sites on Shiptons Flat Road from late February 2026 until July 2026, weather and site conditions permitting. The work will involve...
Vehicle Auction
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...
Update: Next steps for traffic calming near Splash Park and Ida Street
Cook Shire Council has now removed the traffic calming devices previously installed at Ida Street and Webber Esplanade near the Splash Park, following further review, monitoring and community feedback. The reasoning behind the installation of traffic calming measures...
Invitation for Tenders T04325 ROPS – Building certification services
Cook Shire Council invites tenders from suitably qualified Forepersons for the provision of building certification services as described in more detail in Part 5 – Scope. The term of the engagement is anticipated to be three (3) years with the option to extend the...