Queensland senator Nita Green, Labor candidate for Leichhardt Matt Smith and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announce almost $39 million in funding for Cape York housing and community infrastructure during a media conference in Cairns last week. Photo: Facebook.
The Albanese government is gunning for early Cape York votes ahead of this year’s federal election after pulling out the unofficial campaign chequebook on 7 January to announce almost $39 million for social housing and community infrastructure projects in the region.
While he is yet to call the election, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was in full campaign mode as he made the announcement in Cairns with Labor’s Leichhardt candidate, Matt Smith, and Queensland senator Nita Green.
Seisia, Bamaga and New Mapoon in the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA), as well as Pormpuraaw and Napranum, will receive a share of $24.9m allocated through the Housing Support Program package to boost social housing in the northernmost part of the state.
The funding is expected to support the construction of infrastructure and amenities, such as roads, stormwater drainage, earthworks and connection to utilities, to enable the delivery of increased housing.
Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council (NPARC) will receive most of the funding – $16.8m – to address a dire overcrowding issue that is unfortunately not unique to its local government area.
According to 2021 census data, 44 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the NPA do not live in appropriately sized housing, with at least 1,385 additional bedrooms needed to address overcrowding.
“Overcrowding is the issue in the NPA, with larger families on the Department of Housing list for years waiting for suitable sized housing,” NPARC Mayor Robert Poi Poi said.
“Many family members either have had to leave the area or live in overburdened dwellings with extended family.
“Access to safe and quality housing is a fundamental component of improving the disadvantages faced by our people.
“This funding is critical to support the development of subdivisions to ensure there is available land so we can build new social houses.”
In addition to the housing spend, Cape York will receive almost $14 million dollars for various community infrastructure programs through the Growing Regions Program package, including $7.49m for a new council administration and community hub in Wujal Wujal, $2.65m for stage two of the Cultural Knowledge Centre in Dixie for the Olkola People, $1.96m for streetscape beautification and shared cycle and pedestrian paths in Mapoon, and $1.84m for a digital services centre in Hope Vale.
Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council chief executive officer Kiley Hanslow said the new buildings would be a huge benefit to the community.
“This project will store the important administration facility that was damaged in Tropical Cyclone Jasper, as well as create a space for community to grow and connect,” she said.
“The building will be modern and built to withstand future weather challenges, with better facilities and improved accessibility, [and] also provide a more welcoming space for council services and community engagement.”
Ms Hanslow said the community hub would offer facilities for training programs, workshops and resources aimed at improving skills and local businesses, serving as a vital resource for community members looking to grow professionally, start businesses, or gain new skills that benefit themselves and the Wujal Wujal community.
Although timelines for the projects are still unclear, both councils stressed the importance of making the infrastructure available to their communities as soon as possible.
