Latest news

View or search Council's latest news below to keep up-to-date with services, works, events and projects.

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King tides expected from New Year’s Eve

King tides will be experienced in Cairns from New Year’s Eve – starting on the morning of Wednesday 31 December...

General Updates
24 December 2025

Cairns celebrates 150 years as 2026 begins

Cairns will welcome 2026 in spectacular style this New Year’s Eve, with thousands gathering on the Esplanade for a free,...

General Updates
19 December 2025

Services and closures during the festive break

Council's Spence Street Customer Service Centre will operate during normal business hours until 4.30pm on Wednesday 24 December and reopen for...

General Updates
19 December 2025

Keep recycling out of waste this Christmas

As the last presents are opened and families relax after their festive meals, the aftermath of Christmas Day often includes...

Council Projects & Services
18 December 2025

Cairns' hotels unite to conserve water

Cairns Regional Council and Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) have joined forces with local hotels and resorts to launch a...

Council Projects & Services
17 December 2025

Pitch your Cairns Festival 2026 idea now

Cairns Regional Council is calling on creatives to help shape the Cairns Festival 2026 program, a signature C150 event celebrating...

Arts & Culture
17 December 2025

Make memories these Xmas school holidays

Whether you’re looking to explore somewhere new, rediscover a favourite spot, or simply enjoy relaxed time with the kids, there’s...

Community & Lifestyle
15 December 2025

Babinda Waste Transfer Station temporary closure

The Babinda Waste Transfer Station will be closed on Wednesday 17 December to allow for the processing of green waste...

General Updates
15 December 2025

Florence Street road closure for Carols event

Council will close Florence St, between Sheridan St and Grafton St, from 11.30am to 9pm on Sunday 14 December for...

Community & Lifestyle
12 December 2025

Cairns Festival shines in 2025

Cairns Festival 2025 has delivered another highly successful year, drawing more than 144,000 attendees, strengthening community pride, and generating $2.23...

Arts & Culture
12 December 2025

Cairns’ arts scene grows with support for locals

Seven arts projects are being supported to deliver new exhibitions, performances, workshops and creative developments that nurture local talent, strengthen...

Arts & Culture
11 December 2025

Council calls for more housing investment

Cairns Regional Council is calling for decisive State and Federal action to help tackle the region’s escalating housing shortage, placing...

Business & Economy
11 December 2025

Proposed new aquatic strategy

Council is calling for community feedback into its draft Cairns Aquatic Facilities Strategy, which aims to balance budgetary constraints and...

Sport & Recreation
10 December 2025

Investing in community spaces for Cairns

Thirteen local clubs are receiving support to keep delivering the sporting, recreational and community services that residents of all ages...

Community & Lifestyle
10 December 2025

Northern Pride secures support for 2026 season

The Northern Pride will continue to play a vital role in developing local talent, providing pathways to elite competition and...

Sport & Recreation
10 December 2025

Cairns sets the stage for a landmark year

Council has endorsed the Cairns Celebrates 150 Years Official Program, cementing the way for a memorable year of community celebrations...

Arts & Culture
10 December 2025

Iconic Reef Eye turning for another year

Locals and visitors can look forward to more rides on the much-loved Reef Eye Ferris Wheel, with a new venue...

Community & Lifestyle
10 December 2025

Council advocates in Draft FNQ Regional Plan

Cairns Regional Council will make a detailed submission on the Queensland Government’s Draft Far North Queensland Regional Plan 2025, broadly...

Environment & Sustainability
10 December 2025

New upgrades coming to Ellis Beach

A $1.64 million project, supported by a $395,362 Sport and Recreation Recovery Grant, will deliver formalised parking and improved pedestrian...

Environment & Sustainability
10 December 2025

Mayor’s Christmas Charity helps families

Volunteers gathered this morning to help pack 910 Christmas hampers, spreading festive cheer to locals doing it tough over the...

Community & Lifestyle
9 December 2025

Buyback program to extend Cairns Cemetery

Cairns Regional Council is implementing the Voluntary Plot Buyback Program to increase land availability for future burials....

Council Projects & Services
5 December 2025

Generosity helps FNQ Wildlife Rescue

Cairns’ residents have once again dug deep for local wildlife, with Council’s Free Green Waste campaigns during August and November...

Environment & Sustainability
4 December 2025

Water saving a priority as Cairns heats up

As temperatures continue to rise, residents are urged to keep up their water-saving habits....

Council Projects & Services
3 December 2025

Applications open for 2026 Tanks Markets

Stallholder Applications Open for 2026 Tanks Markets...

Community & Lifestyle
3 December 2025

EOIs open for Cairns Children's Festival 2026

EOIs now open for Cairns Children's Festival 2026...

Community & Lifestyle
2 December 2025

Tree works scheduled at Babinda Boulders

Disruptions will occur at Babinda Boulders on Wednesday 3 December (weather permitting) while tree removal works are carried out to...

General Updates
1 December 2025

CIAF’s future secured to 2030

The future of one of Australia’s premier First Nations-led arts and cultural events has now been firmly secured through to...

Arts & Culture
26 November 2025

Planning begins for 2027 Masters Games

The 2025 Great Barrier Reef Masters Games (GBRMG) delivered strong participation, major economic benefits, and growing national and international interest...

Sport & Recreation
26 November 2025