Latest News

Cook Shire Council has officially renamed three local streets in the Cooktown area to remove duplicate names and improve navigation and emergency service response times. The decision was made at Council’s September Ordinary Meeting and follows extensive community...

Cook Shire Council is reminding residents to check their house numbers are visible, reflective and easy to find — an important step in keeping the community safe during emergencies. When every second counts, being easy to locate can make all the difference. Emergency...

Cook Shire residents looking to build their digital confidence are invited to take part in free Be Connected Digital Skills Workshops this October, hosted by Cook Shire and State Libraries. The hands-on sessions are designed to help participants feel more comfortable...

Get into the festive spirit and showcase your creations at Cooktown’s Sunset with Santa Twilight Christmas Markets! Friday, 12 December 2025, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at William Daku Park Council is looking for vendors to join us and connect with the community while...

Cooktown is one step closer to a new IGA supermarket, with Cook Shire Council recently approving Development Application DA/4944 – Material Change of Use – Shopping Centre. In this short Moment with the Mayor video, Mayor Robyn Holmes discusses what this milestone...

Cook Shire Council, in partnership with the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS), is hosting a Business Networking Function on Tuesday 28 October from 5.00pm to 6.30pm at Shipwreck. The evening will feature updates on two of Cooktown’s most significant...

Cook Shire Council has secured $400,000 in funding under the Queensland Government’s Secure Communities Partnership Program to deliver the Cooktown Waterfront CCTV Safety Network Initiative. This major investment will expand and upgrade CCTV coverage along the...

Cook Shire Council will shortly undertake approved maintenance works along a section of mangroves on Sherrin Esplanade, Cooktown, between the Bowls Club and the Coast Guard lease area. These works are scheduled to commence frm 16 October 2025 (pending favourable...

Council remains committed to ensuring all community infrastructure is delivered safely, sustainably and in the public interest — including the Stay another Day, Rail Trail Boardwalk project. Council has always supported the Rail Trail Boardwalk in principle,...

Cook Shire Council has finalised its 2025–27 Community Scorecard Action Plan — a detailed roadmap developed directly from the priorities identified by the community through the 2025 Community Scorecard study. The 2025–27 Community Scorecard Action Plan translates...

Cooktown’s Pioneer Cemetery came alive once again as the Spirits of Cooktown returned for another unforgettable season — a masterful blend of history, theatre, and atmosphere presented by Box Jelly Theatre Company in partnership with Cook Shire Council with funding...

The Cooktown waterfront came alive these school holidays as 63 enthusiastic young anglers, aged 8 to 17, cast their lines in the first-ever Blue Lures Fishing Event – a joint initiative between Cook Shire Council, Queensland Police, and the Blue Light Foundation. The...

The Cooktown Events Centre is throwing open its doors — and you’re invited! Join us on Saturday 1 November 2025, from 9am to 1pm at 3 May Street, for a free, family-friendly Open Day celebrating everything our community hub has to offer. It’s been almost a year since...

A new free weekly youth activity is launching in Cooktown this term, offering young people a chance to get active, connect with friends, and experience a traditional Aboriginal game that’s as fast as it is fun. The Youth Drop-In Edor sessions will begin on Friday 10...

The recent school holiday event in Laura provided a fantastic opportunity for the community to come together, enjoy a fun family day, and learn about the importance of disaster preparedness ahead of the upcoming season. Delivered by Cook Shire Council in partnership...

Local businesses, community groups, organisations, and individuals across Cook Shire are encouraged to apply for funding through Round 1 of Cook Shire Council’s 2025 Community and Economic Development Grants Program,  With up to $6,000 available for each successful...

Cook Shire businesses and community groups are invited to take part in free Business Disaster Resilience Training sessions this October. The customised workshops, running across Cooktown, Ayton, Lakeland, Coen, and Portland Roads from 13–16 October, are designed to...

Mayor Robyn Holmes and Chief Executive Officer Brian Joiner recently welcomed Matt Smith MP, Member for Leichhardt, and Bree James MP, Member for Barron River, to Cooktown for discussions on key issues affecting the Shire. As part of the visit, Mayor Holmes and Brian...

Stage 1 of the Ayton Footpath Project is now complete, delivering safer and more accessible pedestrian connections in the heart of Ayton. The project forms part of Council’s 2024–25 Operational Plan and was identified as a key community infrastructure priority. This...

Cook Shire’s State Emergency Service (SES) units in Coen and Lakeland have recently received significant equipment upgrades, strengthening their ability to respond to emergencies and support their communities when it matters most. The upgrades reflect the strong...

Cook Shire Council proudly marked Australian Citizenship Day on Tuesday, 17 September, by welcoming the region’s newest Australian. A citizenship ceremony was held in Cooktown, where one resident officially became an Australian citizen. The occasion was a chance to...

Cook Shire Council is offering extra support this cyclone season through the Handy Help Pick-Up program. Eligible residents can register to have their eligible waste picked up for rree* during Free Dumping Days (1–16 November 2025). Who is eligible? Residents on an...

Cook Shire Council has made it even easier to stay active and connected, with an expanded online booking system that now includes the Cooktown Swimming Pool and additional Events Centre options. Since December, gym members have enjoyed the convenience of managing...

Cook Shire Council is encouraging local farmers, growers, and agricultural businesses to take part in the upcoming ChemClear collection event in Queensland, providing a safe and responsible way to dispose of unwanted or expired agricultural and veterinary (AgVet)...

Cook Shire Council wishes to clarify recent reporting which incorrectly stated that Council has received government funding to drive new residential development in Cooktown. This is not the case. The Queensland Government has announced funding under its Residential...

Nominate a local sports star! Nominations are now open – Closing 5pm Sunday 7 September 2025. These awards recognise outstanding athletic achievements by North Queensland's elite athletes and honour the dedication and commitment of our volunteers and organisers....

To support the Sand & Sky: A Day at Finch Bay community event, Finch Bay Road will be temporarily closed to all through traffic between 10:00 am and 5:30 pm on Saturday, 6 September. Date: Saturday, 6 September 2025Time: 10:00 am – 5:30 pmLocation: Finch Bay Road,...

Cooktown’s history will come alive this October as audiences are invited to experience The Spirits of Cooktown – a captivating community theatre performance set in the heart of Cooktown Pioneer Cemetery.   Presented by Box Jelly Theatre Company and supported by...

To support the Wallaby Creek Festival, Council will temporarily relocate the Rossville public place recycling skip bin. What’s changing: The recycling skip bin currently located at the Rossville Marketplace will be moved to the area in front of the Wallaby Creek...

This National Crime Stoppers Day, Cook Shire joins communities across Australia to raise awareness about the importance of reporting crime safely and effectively. The theme for this year is “Don’t post it, report it”, reminding residents that talking about crime on...

Looking for a fun, creative, and confidence-boosting activity for your child these school holidays? Box Jelly Theatre Co. is returning to Cooktown with another round of exciting drama workshops—perfect for young performers with big imaginations! Designed for...

The fire that impacted Cooktown’s Finch Bay and Cherry Tree Bay walking tracks earlier this month has now officially been declared safe by the Queensland Fire Department (QFD). After days of close monitoring and fire management, QFD has handed the site back to the...

It was one epic moment — and now, it's finally here to relive and share. The wait is over! The incredible Solid Rock community sing-along, filmed at this year’s Cooktown Discovery Festival, has officially dropped — and it’s every bit as powerful, joyful and...

Families, friends and beachgoers are invited to celebrate the arrival of spring and the weekend before Father's Day in spectacular style at Sand & Sky: A Day at Finch Bay on Saturday 6 September from 2PM to 5PM. Hosted by Cook Shire Council, this free community...

After a successful performance last year, Box Jelly Theatre Company is back! This time, they’re once again partnering with local organisations to bring The Spirits of Cooktown to life – a unique community theatre event that draws inspiration from the true stories from...

Development activity continues to gain momentum in Cook Shire, with new lots, dwellings, and business opportunities shaping the future of our communities. Between 2020 and June 2025, Cook Shire Council has approved: 57 Reconfigurations of a Lot (subdivisions),...

Cook Shire Council welcomed a group of Year 7 students from Cooktown State School on Friday 1 August, for an engaging and hands-on introduction to local government. The visit gave students the opportunity to learn how Council works, what it’s responsible for, how...

Get ready for two days of creativity, laughter, and storytelling as puppetry takes to the stage at the Cooktown Shire Hall this August! With two hands-on workshops and a live performance from the acclaimed Spare Parts Puppet Theatre, there’s something for every young...

Local book lovers were treated to a special morning at Cooktown Library on Wednesday 30 July, as Australian author Fiona Tarr visited to share insights into her latest mystery novel, Her Lost Bones. The relaxed event gave attendees a behind-the-scenes look at Fiona’s...