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 73 kilometres (45 mi) from Papua New Guinea.

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 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.

Reasons for this include cultural and language barriers, transport and geographical spread of the population, who are located in isolated communities and on small islands.

Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at the Torres Shire Council offices at Douglas Street, Thursday Island.

[19] The Torres Shire Council operates Ngulaig Meta Municipal Library at 121 Douglas Street on Thursday Island.