Cockatoo Island

Cockatoo Island is a small island located in the Brisbane River between the suburbs of Moggill and Wacol. Officially located within the suburb of Wacol, Cockatoo Island measures approximately 670 metres long and 120 metres wide.

History
Cockatoo Island is referenced as early as May 30, 1857 in the Brisbane Courier.

On April 1, 1924, it was reported by the Daily Standard that three acres of Cockatoo Island had been leased to T. M. Price for an annual rent of £1 10s (~$550 in 2021) for ten years. It was sold by public auction that morning at the Land Agent's office in Brisbane.

In 2002, pfiesteria was discovered by CSIRO in the island's silt. Pfiesteria is a deadly toxic algae that kills fish and can kill humans. If inhaled or absorbed through the skin, the algae can cause brain damage and organ failure in humans. However, the amount of pfiesteria found at Cockatoo Island was deemed by Waterways Scientific Services to be "extremely small" and "not toxic to humans or fish."

On January 5, 2020, a bushfire began on Cockatoo Island. The fire was deemed by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services to not be a threat to property. However, they noted that "nearby areas may be affected by a smoke haze."