The Shire of Johnstone was a local government area of Queensland. It was located on the Coral Sea coast about 90 kilometres (56 mi) south of the city of Cairns. The shire, administered from the town of Innisfail, covered an area of 1,639.1 square kilometres (632.9 sq mi), and existed as a local government entity from 1881 until 2008, when it amalgamated with the Shire of Cardwell to form the Cassowary Coast Region.
The Hinchinbrook Division was established on 11 November 1879 as one of 74 divisions throughout Queensland under the Divisional Boards Act 1879. The Johnstone Division separated from it on 28 October 1881.[3]
The Johnstone Division then became the Shire of Johnstone on 31 March 1903, following the enactment of the Local Authorities Act 1902.[4]
Later, on 22 November 1910 a section of the Johnstone Shire was amalgamated with part of Cairns Shire (1903-1995)] and part of Tinaroo Shire to create the Shire of Eacham.[4]
In December 1932, a fire destroyed the Johnstone Shire Hall. Although there was a push to rebuild promptly, it was not until 1938 that the new building was completed. The 1938 Johnstone Shire Hall is currently included on the Queensland Heritage Register.[5]
With every elected councillor being a candidate of the Ratepayers Party, the election of councillors in May 1943 created a sensation, ousting 7 Labor Party councillors.[6]
The Johnstone Shire Council was dismissed on 8 February 2007 by the Queensland Government's Local Minister, Andrew Fraser claiming the shire council had become ineffective due to internal conflict, inappropriate behaviour and financial problems,[7] despite an issued show cause presented on 2 August 2006.[8][9]
Among the perceived gross misconduct were the following incidents:
Former Deputy Mayor George Pervan was quoted during an interview on commercial radio in the aftermath of Cyclone Larry, requesting Southern Queenslanders to:
"Send up a truckload of piss so we can all get fucking drunk" – George Pervan – 2006.[11]
While two councillors attempted to get the Queensland Government to revoke the decision Andrew Fraser stated that while the action was regrettable, it was indeed the correct decision.[12]
