Corporate Plan

Council's Corporate Plan 2025-2030 was adopted at the Ordinary Meeting of 25 June 2025.

Corporate structure

Council's high level management structure consists of six departments headed by General Managers who report to the Chief Executive Officer

Customer Experience Strategy

This strategy is our commitment to being customer focussed and provides the framework and key initiatives and strategies that Council intend to address over the coming three years to enhance our customer experience and realise the benefits for our customers and Council.

General Policies

Council's General Policies are statements of the principles and/or values that Council considers when making decisions.

Licensing & compliance

If you’re starting a business, planning renovations or managing ongoing operations, Council regulations may apply. Explore our resources and services to see what licenses, permits or approvals you need.

Local Laws

Local Laws govern most of Council's roles and responsibilities including parking, swimming pools, advertising signage, animal control, outdoor dining, overgrown allotments, pests and weeds, and nuisances such as noise and dust.

Publications & reports

Council produces a range of publications including Budgets, Corporate Plans, Operational Plans, Corporate Reports, newsletters and more.

Right to information

Council collects and stores information about the region, properties, land, individuals, even animals. Legislation governs your rights to information and privacy

What Council does

Our Council Handbook explains:

  • What Council does
  • How we fund Council work
  • The type of jobs available within Council
  • What our Councillors do
  • Structure of Council

It also provides information on Cairns, from the City's history and population, to our parks and gardens, sustainability, industry, and arts and culture.

You can download the Council Handbook ( PDF, 1.82 MB ).

Last Updated: 24 July 2025

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Community & Lifestyle
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Changes to Liquor Licensing Policy endorsed

Changes to the Liquor Licensing General Policy aim to strengthen Council’s consideration of requests for feedback into liquor and gaming...

Business & Economy
24 June 2026