Media Releases
Stay updated on Cook Shire Media Releases.
Public Notice: Proposed Permanent Road Closure
Attention is directed to an application for Permanent Road Closure of an area of about 68.3m2 being part of Slim Close, Lakeland, adjacent Lot 1 on Registered Plan 741362 as shown on Drawing LAGIS-1396 . Comments or objections to the application must be submitted no...
Upgraded Lighting on the Horizon for John Street Oval
Cook Shire Council is pleased to announce that the John Street Oval lighting upgrade project is set to commence in the coming days, delivering long-term improvements to safety, maintenance, and community amenity. Originally installed in 2010, the...
Solid Rock sing along set to unite the shire at Discovery Festival
Cooktown, get ready to raise your voice! A bold and heartfelt community moment is coming to this year’sCooktown Discovery Festival — and we want everyone to be part of it. OnSaturday 21 June, the community is invited to come together at the Festival Main Stage for a...
Cooktown Works Update – June 2025
Cook Shire Council is progressing a range of important infrastructure works across Cooktown to improve the safety, usability and appearance of our streets. Here’s what’s currently underway and what you can expect over the coming weeks: Kerb and Channel Upgrades...
Discovery Festival Fireworks Exclusion Zone
Boat users are reminded that there will be an exclusion zone in place on Saturday 21 June 2025, for the Cooktown Discovery Festival Fireworks display. All boat users are reminded there is an exclusion zone on Saturday 21 June from 5.30 pm-8.30 pm, for the Cooktown...
WORKS NOTICE: Water Main Replacement – Lakeland
Cook Shire Council will commence works to replace a section of water main in Lakeland from Monday, 16 June 2025. The works will extend from outside the Lakeland Hotel on Foyster Drive, across Mulligan Highway to the Main Roads Depot, and continue down the highway to...
Cook Shire’s Bin Audit Is Cleaning Up Nicely
We’re not rubbish at this! Cook Shire Council’s new bin labelling program is well and truly rolling—and the results so far are wheely impressive. In a stellar effort to get our waste services fairer, safer and more sustainable, Council crews have already carried...
Splash Park works underway!
Cooktown’s beloved Splash Park is getting some exciting new enhancements thanks to upgrade works that commenced on Monday 26 May 2025. Council has installed a concrete strip around the park, which will soon be fitted with sandstone blocks. These new sandstone blocks...
Discovery Festival Road Closures | June 2025
Please be advised that as part of the events, installations, and festivities for Discovery Festival 2025, temporary road closures will be in place at the below listed times and locations: Please be advised that as part of the events, installations, and festivities for...
Public Notice: Burning at Mt Tully
Cook Shire Council advises that due to favourable weather conditions, residual green waste is being burned at the Mt Tully Waste Facility today. This burn involves green waste that could not be mulched—such as oversized branches or material contaminated with items...
Funding secured for Cooktown’s new Resilience and Learning Hub
Cooktown is set to receive a major boost in disaster preparedness and community infrastructure, with funding now secured for the construction of a brand-new Resilience and Learning Hub. The project, led by Cook Shire Council, will deliver a purpose-built facility that...
Public update on the Rail Trail Boardwalk
Cook Shire Council has temporarily closed access to the new boardwalk along the Rail Trail in the interest of public safety, as the structure has not yet received final building certification. The opening date was announced without prior consultation with Council, and...
Free disposal of broken bins at the Cooktown Waste Transfer Station
As part of the ongoing No Label, No Service Program, residents whose household wheelie bins have been identified as non-compliant or in need of replacement can dispose of them free of charge at the Cooktown Waste Transfer Station until June 30, 2025. This initiative...
Council Update: Rail Trail Boardwalk Project
Cook Shire Council acknowledges the strong community interest in the Stay Another Day Rail Trail Boardwalk project and is pleased to provide the following update. This project is a community-led initiative located on Council-managed land. The development application,...
Festival of Small Halls Returns to Cooktown – Launching the Winter Tour 2025!
The Festival of Small Halls is making its highly-anticipated return to Cooktown, and this year we have the honour of launching the Winter Tour 2025 right here on Wednesday 2 July! Following the success and community buzz of last year’s event Festival of Small Halls...
Public Notice | Temporary closure of Splash Park
Please be advised that the William Daku Splash Park will be temporarily closed from Monday 26 May to Monday 2 June 2025 (weather and works permitting) to allow for essential concreting works. We appreciate your patience and understanding while we carry out these...