Media Releases
Stay updated on Cook Shire Media Releases.
Public notice: Temporary closure at Cooktown Swimming Pool
Council advises that the local swimming pool will be closed on Friday 6 March from 8:30am to 3:00pm due to the Endeavour Christian College Swimming Carnival. The pool will reopen to the public from 3:00pm and resume normal operating hours thereafter. We appreciate the...
Cooktown Splash Park closed until 5 March due to system contamination
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...
Council advocates for community as Cooktown Hospital Redevelopment progresses
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...
Public Notice | Lakeland Waste Transfer Station
Due to unforseen circumstances, Cook Shire Council advises the Lakeland community and visitors that the Lakeland Waste Transfer Station will be closed today. Council is working to minimise disruption and will provide an update as soon as the facility is able to...
How to read river gauge graphs
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...
Vandals cost community again as facilities targeted across Cooktown
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...
Essential food resupply delivered to Coen during wet season isolation
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...
Public Notice: Sewer Line Replacement Works – Ayton Library
Council advises that a contractor will commence works on Tuesday 3 March in the Ayton Library area to replace the sewer line. A site meeting will be held tomorrow (Tuesday 3 March) to determine whether the works will impact Ayton Library opening hours. Further updates...
March 2026: Roads Ahead
Cook Shire Council’s monthly snapshot of roadworks and travel advice occuring in the weeks ahead.
Arthur Beetson Future Immortals Tour coming to Cooktown
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...
Easter fun hopping into Ayton
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....
February Moment with the Mayor
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...
Digital + you workshop helping over 50’s build confidence online
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...
Delayed opening for Lakeland Waste Transfer Station
Cook Shire Council wishes to advise the Lakeland community that the Lakeland Waste Transfer Station will have a delayed opening today due to access issues. Staff are currently unable to travel from Laura, with river levels preventing safe passage. The facility will...
Full house at Cook Shire Council community update
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,...
Cooktown Library to experience temporary internet outage
Cooktown Library patrons are advised that the library will be without internet access on Tuesday, 3 March 2026, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm due to an essential NBN upgrade. During this time, the usual Tech Time session will be cancelled. While the library building will...