Cape York Weekly FREE – #272 | Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Editorial: editor@capeyorkweekly.com.au|Advertising: sales@region.com.au
INSIDE TODAY
TIN SHED’S GRAND OPENING Page 3
TURNING TRASH TO TREASURE Page 6 The Kuku Jelanji Laura Quinkan Dance troupe has performed the opening and closing ceremonies at previous Laura Dance festivals. Photo: Laura Quinkan Indigenous Dance Festival.
Dance festival in doubt PERMIT STANDOFF THREATENS TO DERAIL LAURA EVENT
by CHISA HASEGAWA STAKEHOLDERS are attempting to find common ground to ensure Laura’s beloved dance festival can stomp to the beat of Cape York’s cultural heart in June. Almost $10,000 in tickets have already been sold for the 2026 Laura Quinkan Dance Festival, however a standoff between festival organisers and Cook Shire Council over safety and permit
concerns has the potential to sink the iconic event. Debbie Ross, who was brought into Ang-Gnarra Aboriginal Corporation (AGAC) last year as part of a new management team, said the festival’s permit application had been denied by council. In an email response to Ms Ross seen by Cape York Weekly, council requested documentation of support from Laura Po-
lice, Queensland Ambulance Service, Laura Clinic and the Cooktown Hospital. In the same email, council also asked for documentation of a traffic management plan contract, waste provider, potable water, toilets and showers, and the security firm that had been engaged. Ms Ross said the festival was currently at a standstill because it was unable to engage contractors
and vendors without a permit. She said AGAC was already $60,000 out of pocket on deposits. “We can get a vendor inquiry, then we say to the vendor, you need to go to Cook Shire and get an application to actually have it at the dance festival, but then they need to put the permit number on the application to say they’re going to do the festival,” she said. – Continued page 2
AUSTRALIA DAY CELEBRATIONS Pages 8 & 9 GET FIT TO FLY CHALLENGE Page 6
TALKS IN COOKTOWN Page 7
WHAT’S ON @ THE ALBY... MONDAY $18 PASTA
NIGHT
YOUR CHOICE OF SAUCE TOSSED WITH YOUR FAVOURITE PASTA: SPAGHETTI LINGUINE CHICKEN TORTELLINI OR GF PENNE
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
TACOS! TRIVIA YOUR CHOICE NIGHT OF 3 TACOS FOR $15
SPORTS BAR 6PM - 8.30PM
FROM 7.30PM
$15
FRIDAY 5.30 – 7.30PM
JAG THE JOKER
JACKPOTS WEEKLY ‘TIL JOKER IS FOUND!
+ MEAT TRAY RAFFLES
FROM 7.30PM
RUMP MUSICAL BINGO FREE TO PLAY WITH GREAT NIGHT PRIZES & GIVEAWAYS
THE DECK RESTAURANT IS OPEN 7 DAYS, 6 TO 8.30PM