Corner Lardil Street and Jinkya Street, Gununa
Mornington Island QLD 4892
07 4745 7800
info@mornington.qld.gov.au
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Recent posts:
Council Completes Major Upgrades to Community Facilities
February 5, 2026
New Waste Management Initiatives Rolled Out Across the Shire
February 5, 2026
Local Training Program Supports Jobs and Skills Development
February 5, 2026
Proposed Development - Birri Road
September 11, 2025
COUNCILLOR ROBERT ‘BOBBY’ THOMPSON AWARDED MEDAL OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
January 25, 2025
Events
Application DA2024_002 - Submissions open 15 September - 29 October 2025 Preliminary Approval for a Variation Request to override the zoning, specified levels of assessment, development standards and design provisions identified within the Mornington Shire Planning...
Deputy Mayor Councillor Robert ‘Bobby’ Thompson awarded distinguished Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
Mornington Shire Council is calling for Expressions of Interest from upstanding community members to be part of this important Interim Local Advisory Committee (ILAC). The aim of the ILAC is to provide a direct communication link between Council and the grassroots...
The Electoral Commissioner has approved the declaration of Richard Sewter as Mornington Shire Council Mayor, and the Declaration Notice has been published on the ECQ website. View the declaration here. Further, the Electoral Commissioner has approved the declaration...
Submissions open between 11 March – 3 April 2024 for the proposed development associated with Lot 20, Gununa.
❝So you want to be councillor?❞ You can make a difference and represent your community as a councillor or mayor. The Local Government elections will be held on 16 March 2024. If you’ve ever considered running for council, now’s the time to learn what it’s all about...
Have your say On 5 June 2023, the Australian and Queensland Governments announced over $160 million to phase-out gillnet fishing in the Great Barrier Reef and to address other high-risk fishing activities. Commitments relating to the Queensland Gulf of Carpentaria...
The time has come to cast your vote on the Referendum. The Australian Constitution is a document that outlines the fundamental principles for the system of government in Australia. The only way to change the Constitution is by holding a referendum. This means the...
Council is pleased to share with community and stakeholders the KPMG Final Report on the ‘Independent Audit and Analysis of Government and Government Funded Services Delivered to Mornington Island’. The report provides information about providers,...
First edition of the new Mornington News is out NOW!
Mornington Shire Council (“Council”) has adopted a Wandering Horses Strategy. This Strategy aims to address the issue of wandering horses in the community by either relocating them to Council’s Designated Horse Enclosure or by relocating the animal to the owner’s...
Council wishes to advise the community that it will be seizing all horses that are found wandering at large, with mustering commencing 21 November 2022.
The young people of Mornington Island will get the opportunity to strengthen their cultural identity and explore their goals and aspirations with more than $850,000 supporting three activities for two years.
Tourism on Mornington Island is set to get a much-needed injection of accommodation supply, after Mornington Shire Council was awarded $2million in funding to support the Island’s motel expansion.
Mornington Shire Council’s commitment to creating sustainable systems and improving the employment, training and wellbeing opportunities for community, have taken a giant leap, with the commencement of works on the ‘Mornington Island Council Administration Centre’…
SBS ‘The Feed’ – Island in crisis
It is with pleasure that I present the Mornington Shire Council’s Budget for 2021/22 Financial Year. Council finished the 2020/21 Financial Year with an estimated operational deficit of some 9% of total operational income.This compares to an average five-year...
Cr Barnes recently spoke with the ABC about the potential re-opening of the Tavern with a restricted liquor licence.
MEDIA RELEASE | MORNINGTON ISLAND IN STATE OF CRISIS Endorsed by Council 23 April 2021 The Mayor of Mornington Shire Council is calling for an independent audit of health and welfare services delivered to Mornington Island as he seeks urgent help to address a health...
On 15 July 2020 at the Ordinary Council Meeting, Council adopted the ‘Councillor Expenses Reimbursement Policy’.
This policy provides guidelines for Councillors seeking reimbursement of expenses they have incurred as part of their duties of being an elected member repre…
Mornington Shire Council is excited to present its Annual Operating Plan 2020/2021, the first delivered by our newly elected Council. The Annual Operating Plan outlines Council’s resolution to deliver community priorities identified within our Five Year Corporate Plan...
Invitation for Expressions of Interest (EOI) Kiosk on Mornington Island Open: 12/09/2019 Closes: 03/10/2019 Expressions of Interest are invited for a proponent to manage and operate the kiosk within the Lelka Murrin Building at 1 Mission Road Gununa, which also...
Join us for a day on the water catching the biggest fish in the Gulf. Registration is from 7am to 10am on Saturday the 13th of July at the Jetty. Anyone wishing to be eligible for a prize must register. We open the Tavern at 4pm and will have weigh-ins from 5pm in...
Today we bid farewell to one of our team members.
Patrick was on secondment from Hobson Bay City Council for the last 12 months.
As our special project manager, he was responsible for major projects such as the Fuel Station Upgrade, Pound and new Airport Terminal. We w…
Mornington Shire Council’s new Service Station is officially open for business. A big thank you to the Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning for the massive investment into our region, and to all that put in the hard work. It’s...
Mornington Island residents enjoyed a great evening at Lelka Murrin Tavern while listening to Warren H Williams for most, this was the first cold, alcoholic beverage in a decade. Mayor Wilson says, “as Mayor of Mornington Shire, it brings me such pride to see...
Keen eyes would have spotted the new building installed at the Mornington Island Aerodrome last Saturday!
This will be the new airport waiting room while the old terminal is demolished and the new one built.
Once we’re ready to open it up, this will be where Rex ticke…
Our crew is hard at work this morning with the airport upgrade underway! Mayor Wilson giving the official thumbs up.
Our Mornington Shire Council leaders are boarding the plane back from Parliament House, Canberra to Mornington Island following several high level meetings regarding topics such as Service Delivery Reforms, Direct Funding and Social Housing
Mayor Bradley Wilson says “th…
Mornington Shire Council would like to thank RISE Ventures for hosting an exceptional morning tea following their hard work to restore the cemetery on Mornington Island.
Mayor Bradley Wilson states “it is wonderful to see such grassroots restorations and events prosper…
‘Prohibition has never worked anywhere in the world’
The unintended consequences of the AMPs does not stop with sly grogging.
On the nearby community of Mornington Island, a toxic home brew — characterised by its high ethanol content — has ripped through households.…
Mornington Shire Council extends congratulations to the very first paramedic cadet in the Wellesley Islands, Miss Abby Watt.
She has completed six weeks of training in Brisbane and is officially on the road full time for Queensland Ambulance Services.
An exciting time,…
Mornington Shire Council has three representatives in Longreach participating in the LGMA Future Leaders Forum.
CEO Frank Mills says this is a natural step forward for our staff participating.
“Our team is leading the way in the local government arena, which is quite ex…
Mornington Shire Council recently welcomed Ministerial Champions, Minister of Emergency Services Craig Crawford and Director General of Queensland Health Michael Walsh to the region.
Mayor Bradley Wilson says it was a very positive meeting overall, with great discussion…
A remote Indigenous council in the Gulf of Carpentaria, in Queensland says the community’s safety is in jeopardy and local police cannot perform their job properly as most of the town of about 1,000 residents has been without street lights for approximately 15 months.
T…
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Officers from the Mount Isa District Cross Cultural Unit attended Mornington Island to deliver initial training to their new Community Police Officers on Tuesday, March 20.
The Community Police Officers work hand-in-hand with Queensland Police Service (QPS) officers and…
This week acting premier Jackie Trad visited the pristine Wellesley Island region to meet with Mornington Shire Council.
Deputy Mayor Sarah Isaacs said the visit was to support council’s plans to improve health, education and sustainability.
“We are always extremely…
Council is urging residents to be waterwise due to current water storage levels.
These apex predators are becoming more active and aggressive.
Mornington Shire Council is spreading the word loud and clear for final support to the AMP strategy.
Council’s Cheif Executive Officer Frank Mills says “today this comprehensive document will be sent to state and federal ministers”.
Councillors will travel to parliamen…
Yesterday evening, Mornington Shire Deputy Mayor Sarah Isaacs made a special announcement at the Local Government Association of Queensland Indigenous Leaders Forum.
The Deputy Mayor will be running in the next election for the seat of Traegar.
Robbie Katter is the curr…
“Alcohol consumption, misuse and related harm are some of the most challenging issues confronting
communities across the length and breadth of Australia. These challenges are not limited to
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, but confront every demograp…
Australian Swimming Clubs – www.swimclub.com.au
Australian Swimming Coaches & Teachers Association – www.ascta.com
AUSTSWIM – www.austswim.com.au
Masters Swimming Australia – www.mastersswimming.org.au
Royal Life Saving Society, Australia – www.royallifes…
Mornington Shire Council recently welcomed Minister for Local Government and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, The Honourable Mark Furner, MorningtonIsland Ministerial Champion Jennifer Howard and Local Member of Parliament Robbie...
The federal government will spend $11.8 million upgrading more than 90 regional airstrips across the country, with remote Queensland townships Julia Creek and Mornington Island among the biggest winners. Infrastructure and Transport Minister Darren Chester confirmed...
Incredible Country muso Kirsty Lee Akers performed on July 6th as part of NAIDOC 2017 – Our Language Matters . The performance (a first in the remote region since Yothu Yindi toured to Gununa in the 1980’s), followed the well respected Mornington...
No one said this would be easy, but just know that nothing beats the feeling of accomplishment. Recently the Mornington Island Deadly Runners (four seriously talented Mornington Island youth) represented the Mornington Shire region with great pride. The young guns put...
• C O U N C I L L O R S • Last week, Mornington Shire Councillors flew to Cairns, to attend the (LGAQ) Indigenous Leaders Forum ( # ILF2017 ). Housing programs, greater community health and job creation were the main issues that resonated across the state’s indigenous...
This morning Lester Ben was flown off Mornington Island for a kidney transplant in Brisbane. He will be the second Wellesley Island resident to ever receive the life – giving operation. Mr Ben, joined on the long journey south with wife Amanda, says he has...
Yesterday marked the third meeting held between Mornington Shire Council, members of Council’s AMP Committee and various State and Commonwealth Government Department representatives on Mornington Island to discuss “homebrew” issues. Moving towards innovation,...
Mornington Shire Council is seeking feedback regarding the public transport system currently in place for the island community. Regional Express Airlines is the sole provider of public transport to and from the region. READ MORE
The Mornington Shire Council, Mornington Island Aboriginal Corporation for Health and PCYC will get extra funding for basketball, rugby league, boxing, teeball and fitness activities. Mornington Island Aboriginal Corporation for Health will receive $14,000 to conduct...
Mornington will have new maritime fuel storage and delivery systems to meet relevant safety and environmental standards for the 4000 marine vessels operating in the Gulf of Carpentaria. The only marine fuel station in the Wellesley Island Group (22 islands), the...
On September 28, over 450 locals gathered to discuss an alcohol management plan to lift the ban on Mornington Shire. Mornington Shire Council and residents have been under prohibition for about a decade and are seeking change for Far North Queensland. READ FULL...
Mornington Shire Council has worked with Transport Main Roads to develop a timeline for the urgent repairs to the runway at the Mornington Island Aerodrome. The procurement process will commence from October 6 and materials will begin to arrive on the remote island...
FUNDING for the damaged Mornington Island runway has at last been confirmed by the state government. Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said the runway will receive an $8 million infrastructure upgrade. The state government will provide $6.5 million towards the repairs which...
Recently, Mornington Island Hospital workers Erwin Arago and Genald Mararac became Australian citizens in the pristine Wellesley Island group (located approximately 550 kms from the nearest town centre of Mount Isa, Queensland). Originally from the Philippines, the...
An operation to clean up over two hundred wrecked cars has commenced in the Wellesley Island Group Queensland. Dedicated to protecting the pristine region, the Mornington Shire Council has partnered with Carpentaria Freight to clear tonnes of rusted car bodies from...
Local governments around the country want – and need – to employ more Indigenous Australians. And like every other employee, once hired they need to be supported and provided development opportunities to make the most of their potential. However, councils often lack...
Overwhelmingly, sixty seniors came along to the first ever Queensland Seniors Week celebrations today on Mornington Island in the Wellesley Island group. Many elders shared a very special morning tea with friends and family at the Council Chambers in Gununa....
(Pictured: Robbie Katter MP, CEO Frank Mills and Mayor Brad Wilson advocating for eight months for state / federal support.) GOVERNMENT must push through the red tape to ensure an isolated Gulf community’s airport is repaired before the wet season. Robbie Katter State...
Mornington Shire Council is working with Anthony Mundine to support the latest sports program to hit the remote community – Boxing. The Mornington Island Boxing Squad travelled to Cairns last week to box at their first tournament at Edge Hill State School...
Last week, Mornington Shire Council ordered in over four hundred loafs of bread, which were flown from a Karumba bakery to Mornington Island. The bread ovens at the local bakery broke down two weeks ago but, due to the island’s remote location, council has been...
Smiles lit up the last rays’ of yesterday, when the Thandabi Program’s Wellesley Island Vikings were handed footy boots by Mornington Shire Council during a routine footy training session. READ FULL ABC STORY HERE A man, who wishes to remain anonymous,...
A remote council in north-west Queensland’s Gulf of Carpentaria says it has been given an assurance that its airport will be repaired by the next wet season. The Mornington Island airport was closed for five months earlier this year due to airstrip storm damage...
Sometime around 1924 Sally Gabori was born by a creek on the south side of a small, almost barren island in one of Australia’s most isolated areas. Her family lived a traditional life, almost entirely dependent on the sea. They very rarely had contact with the white...
Last week, Mornington Shire Council held educational workshops in senior First aid training, to build skills in local team members. Council’s training coordinator Aleesha Menere said the program was run through Remote Training Service Cairns, Queensland,...
Mornington Shire Council has begun a series of in-depth community consultation sessions as well as ongoing state and federal lobbying to provide much needed recreational facilities on remote Mornington Island in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Read full story
Y E S T E R D A Y Over 90 Mornington Islanders gathered at the Mornington Shire Councilflag pole to pay respects to those fallen. “I would like to thank the traditional owners past and present for the opportunity to be here today to take part in a gathering to...
Gununamanda Store has launched a uniform design competition. The Mornington Island community store is after local artists to design their deadly new uniform for their staff. Artists can submit a pa i nting 60×40 to win a cash prize. First pri z e $600.00 Second...
Way too # deadly and made by the hands of Indigenous high school students at Mornington Island State School, Gununa. Art teacher, Mr Ben Landers, has worked with the students to create a collection of badges that feature totems and culturally significant objects...
Blue skies greeted the Mornington Island visitors to Cairns today, some – their very first time on a plane. Eight passengers arrived at the Cairns airport, overwhelmed at the generosity of ‘free’ flights from Bloomer Constructions. Grateful Gununa...
C O U N C I L L O R S Congratulations to the Mornington Shire Councillors, from left to right: CEO Frank Mills, Cr Cecily Claire Farrell, Mayor Bradley Wilson, Cr Jane Ah Kit, Deputy Mayor Sarah Isaacs, Cr Bob Thompson.
Latest update: MARCH 16, 2016 The Mornington Island Airport, in north-west Queensland’s Gulf Country, looks unlikely to reopen fully anytime soon, with heavy rain forecast this week. The airport was closed in early December due to storm damage but reopened in...
Due to flooding, Birri and Balaleah Roads are closed to all traffic (from where the bitumen ends) until further notice (March 14 2016). For more information, visit Get Ready Queensland Government Latest satellite imagery here
The famous philanthropist winged his way to Mornington Island on Wednesday March 2 to open a community garden, at the invitation of Mornington Shire Council. The garden will create a sustainable supply of fresh fruit and vegetables. He was joined by the ABC’s...
Ravages of time, weather, ocean currents and collisions with barges have left the remote community of Gununa on Mornington Island with a damaged and dilapidated jetty and barge landing. With the jetty in a dangerous state, urgent need of redevelopment was required to...
A small community of 1000 people is about to be known nationwide when Mornington Island hits the national stage at the Melbourne Fashion Festival next month. With a goal of going international, Mornington Island Art (MIArt) Designs will take their first step to launch...
COUNCIL FEB 2016 – read page 22 for Mornington Shire Council’s latest feature article in Council Leader
Major support has been awarded to Mornington Shire Council last week, with the announcement of $1.647m boost for the Jetty and Foreshore Precinct in the Wellesley Islands Queensland. Jackie Trad MP, Deputy Premier, the Minister for Transport, Minister for...
Nominations for candidates for the upcoming Queensland Local Government elections are now open. Nomination forms are available at the Electoral Commission of Queensland website www.ecq.qld.gov.au or from Returning Officers. Returning Officers addresses and phone...
Claudia Moodoonuthi’s work is on show at the National Gallery in Melbourne which is called ‘360 degree spin on Country’ as well as an exhibition in Cairns. She grew up on Mornington Island as well as on Bentinck and Aurukun islands. Her mother is Kaiadilt and her...
Rumours of a rare white crocodile have been confirmed with several sightings from locals in the Wellesley Island group. Read more Key points: Believed to be 7 foot long Reptile is believed to be living in a five-hectare dam Unusual influx of saltwater crocodiles this...
The Get Ready U’Fella cyclone week has gained significant momentum ahead of what could be the [potential] first cyclone of the season. Read full story Related news Latest cyclone updates For the past ten days the Queensland Government, GIVIT and Mornington Shire...
MORNINGTON ISLAND JETTY – General Conditions Jetty Tender Addendum #1 Jetty Tender Addendum #2 Copy of Schedule of Fees and Charges 2015-2016 OFFICIAL TENDER DOCUMENTS Schedule of Contractors Details Related news
Australians living in remote communities will benefit from improved access to basic services and essential deliveries such as food, medicine and mail, through airstrip upgrades projects approved under the Australian Government’s Remote Airstrip Upgrade...
All welcome to Mornington Shire Council next ordinary meeting. Located at Council Chambers, Dec 16th from 10.00am. Voice your concerns, celebrate achievements and discuss moving the region forward. Join one of Australia’s most isolated councils in consultations,...
Mornington Shire Council is urging residents to stay away from the main swimming and fishing area between Mornington Island and Denim Island. Two large Melamen Dawar (Lardil for crocodile) have been seen multiple times sunning themselves on the foreshore and crossing...
Mornington Island wins ground breaking national award Minister for Justice, Michael Keenan MP today awarded remote indigenous law firm Junkuri Laka the National Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Award for its Mornington Island Restorative Justice Project. The...
Sixteen years ago, on 24 November 1999, a tragedy rocked the lives of families from Mornington Island, Bentinck Island and Forsyth Island. A Cessna 206 (registered VH-XGR) was conveying passengers from Mornington Island to Normanton for a Land Council Meeting to...
A CATTLE business offering economic foundations and training opportunities for young people could be revived on Mornington Island, following a visit by four senators to the remote indigenous community last week. Read full story
At the moment, Mornington Shire has is a greeting that warns of a $75,000 fine for bringing alcohol onto the island – a real slap in the face according to some. Mornington Shire Council CEO Frank Mills said it was working hard to move the region forward, and a...
At the northern point of the Wellesley Island Archipelago in the Gulf of Carpentaria, you will find the remote Island community of Gununa and the windswept offices of Mornington Shire Council. The weathered exterior – an unlikely place to find a progressive and...
Mornington Shire Council orchestrated an unforgettable NAIDOC featuring Mr Sean Choolburra. Council collaborated with RFDS, Gununamanda Store, Junkuri Laka, Mirndiyan Arts, PCYC, Save the Children, Jobfind, Mission Australia, Rural Fire Brigade, Mornington Island...
A picture featuring a family pet, his nose drifting across the lily scents of Mornington Island dam in the Gulf of Carpentaria, has won the September Photo Competition. The image captured by Tuvili Uluilakeba celebrates the understated friendship between an animal and...
Westie Binjari has a face to melt even the hardest of hearts — a reflection of decades of caring for his chronically ill wife. “Countrymen like Westie, who show such a healthy interpretation of masculinity, they are to be celebrated,” Mornington Shire...
Bob and Rob visit aims to change tides for island Two of the most recognised figures in the Australian Government; Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter and son Member for Mount Isa Robbie Katter, journeyed to Mornington Island to see first hand the extent of...
The traditional island home for the 1500 Lardil, Kaiadilt, Yangkaal and Gangalidda people is under threat from all the things that afflict indigenous communities elsewhere – a lack of industry, little employment, paternalistic misdirected services, and a lack of...
MORNINGTON Shire Council has reestablished its Rural Fire Brigade in the Gulf to help improve response times to blazes. The Bureau of Meteorology announced a fire warning last week for the North West as a result of dry conditions, asking travellers and residents to...
Mornington Shire Council partnered with the Royal Flying Doctors Service of Australia to bring you this amazing insight into the life and rewards that come with working remote. Please take the time to watch this incredible video.
Mornington Shire Council in the Gulf of Carpentaria will use an information day to inform residents about the risks of asbestos. The North-West Hospital and Health Service says an abandoned hospital building containing asbestos on Mornington Island poses a low risk...
In the Collaboration category, judges named three winners; Mornington Shire Council for its initiative: Moving the Region Forward – Together, Scenic Rim Regional Council for the Boonah Customer Centre initiative, Central Highlands Regional Council and Woorabinda...
Learn earn and contribute Many hands make light work and Mornington Shire Council’s exciting collaboration with the Department of Housing and Public Works (Building and Asset Services) is already opening up new opportunities for motivated locals eager to learn, earn...
FIRST CLEAN UP FOR INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY Mornington Shire Council staff worked tirelessly to bring together the first ever Clean Up Australia event, as part of council’s strong vision in moving the region forwards. The event, aimed to keep the island pristine nurndine...
It’s a truism that the further north you go in Australia, the better the fishing. Combine that with anglers and you have a market. When it happens to be in one of Australia’s most pristine areas, home to endangered dugong and numerous turtle species, you have...