The biennial Laura Quinkan Dance Festival was set to return for the first time since 2023 after it was canned last year, but a standoff between organisers and Cook Shire Council over safety concerns may scuttle the event again. Photo: Laura Quinkan Indigenous Dance Festival.
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.
Tickets totalling almost $10,000 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 Police, 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.
“If we don’t have a permit, we can’t contract people, and that’s just the sad fact of business, which means we’re going to have to cancel the dancers, [and] we’re going to have to cancel the tickets that have been bought already.
“We can’t afford to keep paying out money if we’re not going to actually get a permit.”
However, Cook Shire Council CEO Brian Joiner said the permit had not been refused, but safety could not be compromised.
“Council is disappointed that the permit process has been publicly characterised as council preventing the event from proceeding. This is not accurate,” he said.
“There are outstanding safety and operational matters that must be addressed before approval can be issued.
“Council remains ready and willing to work collaboratively with organisers to resolve these matters.”
Mr Joiner said it was the responsibility of organisers to demonstrate how they would manage public safety and engage with relevant emergency services, and council’s role was to ensure safety requirements such as medical support, communications, traffic management, emergency access and sanitation had been met.
“This isn’t a new rule. For larger events in remote areas, we need to be confident emergency services are aware, and appropriate planning is in place,” he said.
“Before a permit can be issued, our officers must be satisfied that the necessary medical, safety and emergency planning is properly in place.
“That’s their expertise, and that’s our responsibility.”
Ms Ross said she had already been in contact with council about the documentation required.
“All the stuff [they’re] asking for is stuff that we’ve already told [them] about,” she claimed.
Mr Joiner said once important safety details were clarified and outstanding matters were addressed, council could progress with approval.
“This festival is culturally and economically significant for our community and across the region,” he said.
“With June nearing, constructive and timely collaboration is essential.
“As soon as the required information is provided, we are ready to assess it and work alongside the organisers to ensure the festival proceeds safely this year, and remains strong for years to come.”
