About the Council

Cairns Regional Council was created at the Local Government Elections on 15 March 2008, as a result of the State Government’s merger of Cairns City and Douglas Shire Councils.

The Regional Council comprises 10 elected divisional councillors and a popularly elected Mayor. It operates on a committee system, with all committees regularly reporting back to full council.

Daily operational responsibilities rest with the Executive Management Team head by the Chief Executive Officer and five General Managers.

The Council raises its revenues from rates levied against residential and commercial properties, and spends those resources on delivering a wide variety of quality services to its diverse community. Some of the primary services include waste management, recycling, water supply, sewerage reticulation, road construction and maintenance, parks and gardens, swimming pools, libraries, community halls, animal management, regulated parking, town and strategic planning, environmental management, sport and recreation facilities, drainage, flood mitigation, disaster and emergency management.

Operating a budget of more than $240 million, the Council is a significant local economic driver. It is also one of the region's largest employers with a full-time equivalent workforce of more than 1300 people.

Council is controlled by the Queensland Local Government Act, with numerous regulatory responsibilities devolved to it by the State Government.