The
Hann Division was created on 11 November 1879 as one of 74 divisions around Queensland under the
Divisional Boards Act 1879. On 30 October 1885, the coastal islands of
Hann Division were separated to create
Torres Division. With the passage of the
Local Authorities Act 1902, Torres Division became Shire of Torres on 31 March 1903. Most of the islands were unincorporated until the 1970s, but Thursday Island had a town council going back to 1912. In 1939, the
Torres Strait Islanders Act was passed by the Federal Government, allowing for a form of local government on each island. On 27 January 1942, after the fall of Singapore during
World War II, the Australian government gave the order to evacuate all civilians from Thursday Island, which now became a military base. In 1946, civilians started returning to the island. In 1952 the Council was dissolved and replaced by administrators. On 9 May 1974, the Shire was established and gazetted by the
Bjelke-Petersen government, in an effort to gain leverage on a boundary dispute between the Australian and
Papua New Guinea governments. It was created from the following parts: However, elective government was not restored to the Shire until March 1991—along with the Shires of
Mornington,
Cook and
Aurukun, it was administered by the Local Government Department's Far North regional office. When the
Community Services (Torres Strait) Act 1984 was enacted, 15 island councils were created. Each was responsible for local basic utilities and services, and worked with the Queensland Police to provide for community police officers—hence extending well beyond the normal functions of local government. The remaining areas were governed under the
Local Government Act like most other parts of Queensland. In March 1991, elected Council status was restored by the new
Goss Labor government, and in 1994 Pedro Stephen became its first and so far only mayor. == Geography and jurisdiction ==