Cassowary Coast Region

Local government area in Queensland, Australia

Cassowary Coast Region
Queensland

Location within Queensland

Population| 29,157 (2021 census)[1]
• Density| 6.2195/km2 (16.1084/sq mi)
Established| 2008
Area| 4,688 km2 (1,810.0 sq mi)[2] >
Mayor| Timothy Mark Nolan
Council seat| Innisfail
Region| Far North Queensland
State electorate(s)| Hill
Hinchinbrook
Federal division(s)| Kennedy
Website| Cassowary Coast Region
| LGAs around Cassowary Coast Region:

Tablelands | Cairns |
Tablelands | Cassowary Coast Region | Coral Sea
Charters Towers | Hinchinbrook |
Mission Beach area, view from Bicton Hill lookout On the Liverpool Creek near Japoonvale (between Tully and Innisfail)

The Cassowary Coast Region is a local government area in the Far North Queensland region of Queensland, Australia, south of Cairns and centred on the towns of Innisfail, Cardwell and Tully. It was created in 2008 from a merger of the Shire of Cardwell and the Shire of Johnstone.

The Regional Council, which administers the region, has an estimated operating budget of A$64 million.

In the 2021 census, the Cassowary Coast Region had a population of 29,157 people.[1]

## History

[edit]

Prior to the 2008 amalgamation, the Cassowary Coast Region consisted of the entire area of two previous local government areas:

* Shire of Cardwell
* Shire of Johnstone

The Hinchinbrook Division was created on 11 November 1879 as one of 74 divisions around Queensland under the Divisional Boards Act 1879. On 28 October 1881, the Johnstone Division split away from it. On 18 January 1884, the Cardwell Division also split away.[3] With the passage of the Local Authorities Act 1902, both Cardwell and Johnstone became shires on 31 March 1903.

In July 2007, the Local Government Reform Commission released its report and recommended that Cardwell and Johnstone merge. Cardwell was in particular opposed because Johnstone was rated as "financially distressed" and its council had just been sacked by the state government.[4] On 15 March 2008, the two shires formally ceased to exist, and elections were held on the same day to elect six councillors and a mayor to the Regional Council.

## Mayors

[edit]

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (November 2017)

|

* 2008–2016: Bill Shannon[5][6]
* 2016–2020: John Kremastos[7]
* 2020–2024: Timothy Mark Nolan[8]
* 2024-present: Teresa Millwood[9]

## Wards and councillors

[edit]

Cassowary Coast Regional Council

Type
Type|

Unicameral

Leadership

Mayor

Mark Nolan, Independent

Deputy Mayor

Barry Barnes, Independent

Structure
Seats| 7 elected representatives, including a Mayor and 6 councillors

Political groups

* Majority:
* Independent (7)

Elections

Last election

| 28 March 2020

Next election

| 16 March 2024

Although the commission recommended the council be undivided with six councillors and a mayor, the gazetted form was that of six divisions each electing a single councillor, plus a mayor.

Below is the current council, elected in 2024:[9]

Name  | Ward  | Notes

|
|

Teresa Millwood | Mayor  | Mayor
Peter Reed | Division 1  |
Ellen Jessop | Division 2  |
Trudy Tschui | Division 3  |
Nicholas Pervan | Division 4  | Deputy Mayor
Jeff Baines | Division 5  |
Renee McLeod | Division 6  |

## Towns and localities

[edit]

The Cassowary Coast Region includes the following settlements:

Greater Innisfail area:

* Innisfail
* Belvedere
* Cullinane
* Eaton
* East Innisfail
* Eubenangee1
* Goondi
* Goondi Bend
* Goondi Hill
* Hudson
* Innisfail Estate
* Jubilee Heights
* Mighell
* Palmerston2
* Ngatjan1
* South Innisfail
* Sundown
* Webb
* Wooroonooran3

Greater Tully area:

* Tully
* Birkalla
* Dingo Pocket
* Silky Oak

Cardwell area:

* Cardwell
* Carruchan
* Bilyana
* Bulgun
* Cardstone
* Carmoo
* Coquette Point
* Damper Creek
* Djiru
* East Feluga
* Ellerbeck
* Euramo
* Feluga
* Hull Heads
* Jarra Creek
* Jumbun
* Kennedy
* Lower Tully
* Lumholtz
* Merryburn
* Midgenoo
* Murray Upper
* Murrigal
* Rockingham
* South Mission Beach
* Tam O'Shanter
* Tully Heads
* Walter Hill
* Wongaling Beach

Johnstone area:

* Basilisk
* Bingil Bay
* Camp Creek
* Comoon Loop
* Coconuts
* Coorumba
* Cowley
* Daradgee
* East Palmerston
* El Arish
* Etty Bay
* Fitzgerald Creek
* Flying Fish Point
* Garners Beach
* Garradunga
* Germantown
* Gulngai
* Japoonvale
* Kurrimine Beach
* Maria Creeks
* Mena Creek
* Midgeree Bar
* Mission Beach
* Moresby
* Mourilyan
* Mourilyan Harbour
* Mundoo
* New Harbourline
* Silkwood
* South Johnstone
* Vasa Views
* Wangan

|
|

1 \- shared with Cairns Region
2 \- shared with Tablelands Region
3 \- shared with Cairns Region and Tablelands Region

## Libraries

[edit]

The Cassowary Coast Regional Council operate public libraries in Cardwell, Tully (Dorothy Jones Library), Innisfail and Wongaling Beach.[10]

## Demographics

[edit]

The total population recorded at each census before the foundation of the Cassowary Coast Region combines the population of its component entities prior to their amalgamation in 2008. Its population was officially recorded for the first time in the 2011 Census.

Year  | Population
(Region total)  | Population
(Johnstone)  | Population
(Cardwell)

|
|
|

1933 | 17,193 | 12,777 | 4,416
1947 | 16,611 | 12,265 | 4,346
1954 | 20,025 | 14,980 | 5,045
1961 | 20,967 | 15,784 | 5,183
1966 | 22,169 | 16,529 | 5,640
1971 | 21,614 | 15,878 | 5,736
1976 | 23,254 | 16,776 | 6,478
1981 | 25,291 | 17,438 | 7,853
1986 | 26,123 | 17,457 | 8,666
1991 | 29,066 | 19,184 | 9,882
1996 | 30,604 | 20,474 | 10,130
2001 | 30,145 | 19,511 | 10,634
2006 | 29,501 | 18,917 | 10,584
2011 | 27,668
2016 | 28,726
2021 | 29,157

In the 2016 census, the Cassowary Coast Region had a population of 28,726 people.[11]

In the 2021 census, the Cassowary Coast Region had a population of 29,157 people.[1]

## Heritage places

[edit]

As part of preparing the Cassowary Coast Planning Scheme 2014, the council consulted with the region's heritage groups to compile a list of local heritage places.[12][13]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Cassowary Coast Region (LGA)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
2. ^ "3218.0 – Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2017-18: Population Estimates by Local Government Area (ASGS 2018), 2017 to 2018". Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 27 March 2019. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2019. Estimated resident population, 30 June 2018.
3. ^ Queensland Archives. "Agency Details – Cardwell Divisional Board". Archived from the original on 16 March 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
4. ^ Queensland Local Government Reform Commission (July 2007). Report of the Local Government Reform Commission (PDF). Vol. 2\. Local government Reform Commission. pp. 75–79\. ISBN 978-1-921057-11-3. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 April 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
5. ^ "2008 Cassowary Coast Regional Council - Mayoral Election - Election Summary". results.ecq.qld.gov.au. Archived from the original on 29 March 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
6. ^ "2012 Cassowary Coast Regional Council - Mayoral Election - Election Summary". results.ecq.qld.gov.au. Archived from the original on 20 March 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
7. ^ "2016 Cassowary Coast Regional Council - Mayoral Election - Election Summary". results.ecq.qld.gov.au. Archived from the original on 22 December 2020. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
8. ^ "2020 Local Government Elections: Saturday, 28 March 2020". Electoral Commission of Queensland. 2020. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
9. ^ a b "Mayor and Councillors". Cassowary Coast Regional Council. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
10. ^ "Cassowary Coast Libraries". Public Libraries Connect. State Library of Queensland. 20 September 2006. Archived from the original on 3 February 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
11. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Cassowary Coast Region (LGA)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
12. ^ "Draft Cassowary Coast Planning Scheme 2014". Cassowary Coast Regional Council. Archived from the original on 27 May 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
13. ^ "Cassowary Coast Local Heritage Register". Cassowary Coast Regional Council. pp. 342–344. Retrieved 17 September 2022.

## External links

[edit]

* 2008 Election results – Mayoral
* 2008 Election results – Councillors
* University of Queensland: Queensland Places: Cassowary Coast Regional Council
* "Cassowary Coast Regional Council: Local Heritage Places" (PDF). Cassowary Coast Regional Council. May 2013. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 May 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2014.

* v
* t
* e

Towns and localities in the Cassowary Coast Region, Queensland

* Bamboo Creek
* Basilisk
* Belvedere
* Bilyana
* Bingil Bay
* Birkalla
* Bombeeta
* Boogan
* Bulgun
* Camp Creek
* Cardstone
* Cardwell
* Carmoo
* Carruchan
* Coconuts
* Comoon Loop
* Cooroo Lands
* Coorumba
* Coquette Point
* Cowley
* Cowley Beach
* Cowley Creek
* Cullinane
* Currajah
* Damper Creek
* Daradgee
* Daveson
* Dingo Pocket
* Djarawong
* Djiru
* Dunk
* East Feluga
* East Innisfail
* East Palmerston
* Eaton
* El Arish
* Ellerbeck
* Etty Bay
* Eubenangee
* Euramo
* Feluga
* Fitzgerald Creek
* Flying Fish Point
* Friday Pocket
* Garners Beach
* Garradunga
* Germantown
* Googarra Beach
* Goolboo
* Goondi
* Goondi Bend
* Goondi Hill
* Granadilla
* Gulngai
* Hinchinbrook
* Hudson
* Hull Heads
* Innisfail
* Innisfail Estate
* Jaffa
* Japoon
* Japoonvale
* Jarra Creek
* Jubilee Heights
* Jumbun
* Kennedy
* Kooroomool
* Kurrimine Beach
* Lower Cowley
* Lower Tully
* Lumholtz
* Maadi
* Mamu
* Maria Creeks
* Martyville
* McCutcheon
* Mena Creek
* Merryburn
* Midgenoo
* Midgeree Bar
* Mighell
* Mission Beach
* Moresby
* Mount Mackay
* Mourilyan
* Mourilyan Harbour
* Mundoo
* Munro Plains
* Murray Upper
* Murrigal
* Nerada
* New Harbourline
* Ngatjan
* No. 4 Branch
* No. 5 Branch
* No. 6 Branch
* O'Briens Hill
* Palmerston
* Pin Gin Hill
* Rockingham
* Rungoo
* Sandy Pocket
* Shell Pocket
* Silkwood
* Silky Oak
* South Innisfail
* South Johnstone
* South Mission Beach
* Stockton
* Stoters Hill
* Sundown
* Tam O'Shanter
* Tully
* Tully Heads
* Upper Daradgee
* Utchee Creek
* Vasa Views
* Walter Hill
* Walter Lever Estate
* Wangan
* Wanjuru
* Warrami
* Warrubullen
* Webb
* Wongaling Beach
* Wooroonooran

Main Article: Local government areas of Queensland

* v
* t
* e

Far North Queensland, Queensland

Cities|

* Cairns

Townships|

* Atherton
* Aurukun
* Babinda
* Badu Island
* Bamaga
* Burketown
* Cardwell
* Chillagoe
* Coen
* Cooktown
* Croydon
* Dimbulah
* Doomadgee
* Georgetown
* Gordonvale
* Herberton
* Hope Vale
* Innisfail
* Karumba
* Kowanyama
* Kuranda
* Laura
* Lockhart River
* Malanda
* Mapoon
* Mareeba
* Millaa Millaa
* Mission Beach
* Mornington Island
* Mossman
* Napranum
* Normanton
* Pormpuraaw
* Port Douglas
* Thursday Island
* Tully
* Weipa
* Wujal Wujal
* Yungaburra

Local Government Areas|

* Aurukun
* Burke
* Cairns
* Carpentaria
* Cassowary Coast
* Cook
* Croydon
* Doomadgee
* Douglas
* Etheridge
* Hope Vale
* Kowanyama
* Lockhart River
* Mapoon
* Mareeba
* Mornington
* Napranum
* Northern Peninsula Area
* Pormpuraaw
* Tablelands
* Torres Strait Islands (not autonomous)
* Torres Strait Islands (autonomous)
* Weipa
* Wujal Wujal
* Yarrabah

National Parks|

* Alwal
* Annan River
* Apudthama
* Barnard Island Group
* Barron Gorge
* Blackbraes
* Bulleringa
* Cape Melville
* Chillagoe-Mungana
* Claremont Isles
* Clump Mountain
* Crater Lakes
* Daintree
* Danbulla
* Davies Creek
* Djiru
* Ella Bay
* Endeavour River
* Eubenangee Swamp
* Family Islands
* Fitzroy Island
* Flinders Group
* Frankland Group
* Forty Mile Scrub
* Great Basalt Wall
* Green Island
* Grey Peaks
* Girramay
* Girringun
* Goold Island
* Hann Tableland
* Hasties Swamp
* Hinchinbrook Island
* Hope Islands
* Howick Group
* Hull River
* Japoon
* Kalkajaka
* Kirrama
* Kuranda
* Kurrimine Beach
* Kutini-Payamu
* Lama Lama
* Lizard Island
* Ma’alpiku Island
* Macalister Range
* Malaan
* Maria Creek
* Marpa
* Michaelmas and Upolu Cays
* Millstream Falls
* Mitchell-Alice Rivers
* Mitirinchi Island
* Moresby Range
* Mount Cook
* Mount Hypipamee
* Mount Lewis
* Mount Spurgeon
* Mount Webb
* Mount Windsor
* Mowbray
* Ngalba Bulal
* Nymph Island
* Oyala Thumotang
* Palmerston Rocks
* Piper Islands
* Possession Island
* Precipice
* Raine Island
* Rinyirru
* Rocky Islets
* Russell River
* Sandbanks
* Saunders Islands
* Sir Charles Hardy Group
* Staaten River
* Starcke
* Three Islands
* Topaz Road
* Tully Gorge
* Turtle Group
* Two Islands
* Undara Volcanic
* Wooroonooran
* Wuthara Island
* Yamarrinh Wachangan Islands
* Yungaburra

Places of Interest|

* Atherton Tableland
* Barron Falls
* Cape Tribulation
* Daintree Rainforest
* Hinchinbrook Island
* Mount Bartle Frere
* Princess Charlotte Bay
* Torres Strait Islands

* v
* t
* e

Local government areas of Queensland

South East|

* Brisbane
* Gold Coast
* Ipswich
* Lockyer Valley
* Logan
* Moreton Bay
* Noosa
* Redland
* Scenic Rim
* Somerset
* Sunshine Coast

Wide Bay–Burnett|

* Bundaberg
* Cherbourg
* Fraser Coast
* Gympie
* North Burnett
* South Burnett

Darling Downs|

* Goondiwindi
* Southern Downs
* Toowoomba
* Western Downs

Central|

* Banana
* Central Highlands
* Gladstone
* Isaac
* Livingstone
* Mackay
* Rockhampton
* Whitsunday
* Woorabinda

North|

* Burdekin
* Charters Towers
* Hinchinbrook
* Palm Island
* Townsville

Far North|

* Aurukun
* Cairns
* Cassowary Coast
* Cook
* Douglas
* Hope Vale
* Kowanyama
* Lockhart River
* Mapoon
* Mareeba
* Napranum
* Northern Peninsula Area
* Pormpuraaw
* Tablelands
* Torres
* Torres Strait Island
* Weipa
* Wujal Wujal
* Yarrabah

North West|

* Burke
* Carpentaria
* Cloncurry
* Croydon
* Doomadgee
* Etheridge
* Flinders
* Mckinlay
* Mornington
* Mount Isa
* Richmond

Central West|

* Barcaldine
* Barcoo
* Blackall-Tambo
* Boulia
* Diamantina
* Longreach
* Winton

South West|

* Balonne
* Bulloo
* Maranoa
* Murweh
* Paroo
* Quilpie

18°05′40.79″S 145°51′05.18″E﻿ / ﻿18.0946639°S 145.8514389°E﻿ / -18.0946639; 145.8514389
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