Shire of Torres

The Shire of Torres is a local government area located in Far North Queensland, Australia, covering large sections of the Torres Strait Islands and the northern tip of Cape York Peninsula north of 11°S latitude. It holds two distinctions—it is the northernmost Local Government Area in Australia, and is the only one to abut an international border – it is at one point just from Papua New Guinea. It is administered from Thursday Island. History 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, Balonne Division became Shire of Balonne on 31 March 1903.