Mapoon Mayor Ronaldo Guivarra says the community’s housing situation includes “overcrowding and lifestyle environments that aren’t conducive to regular employment”, and is urging the Federal Government to green light funding for an ambitious pilot program with national potential. Photo: Supplied.
The advocacy body representing Indigenous councils on Cape York and in the Torres Strait is urging both sides Parliament to back an ambitious pilot project it says could have profound implications for remote social housing across the country.
The Torres Cape Indigenous Council Alliance (TCICA) has written to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton calling for a pre-election commitment for a remote community housing pilot program known as the Mapoon Project, which would see the construction of six one-bedroom, self-contained units in eight communities across Cape York.
It is hoped the project would address severe overcrowding and shortage issues in the region, as well as boost local workforce retention by providing housing for single community members attempting to hold down employment.
The letter says “urgent action is required more than ever” for the remote housing situation, and estimates the total pilot project would cost less than $20 million – approximately $2.2m in each of the eight proposed communities.
Mayor Ronaldo Guivarra said the project was developed by Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council and had significant potential to be rolled out to remote communities across Australia once its efficacy was demonstrated.
“This project was developed by council to address a long-standing challenge we face in the community – high local staff turnover, much of which stems from unsuitable living arrangements,” he told Cape York Weekly.
“The plan to construct six single-bed, self-contained dwellings is a strategic step toward supporting single working individuals or couples who are yet to start a family; currently, many households in Mapoon experience overcrowding and lifestyle environments that aren’t conducive to regular employment, such as high noise levels, shared amenities and a lack of private space; these conditions can discourage individuals from committing to long-term employment, as they lack a stable and supportive home environment.
“By providing dedicated, self-contained dwellings, we’re offering more than just housing – we’re creating an opportunity for individuals to engage in work on their own terms, free from the external negative factors that often hinder their success.”
TCICA Chair and Kowanyama Mayor Territa Dick said the organisation believed the project “potentially delivers large benefits for a modest outlay”.
“TCICA does not want limited funding for our member councils being wasted on uncertain projects,” she said.
“It is exciting for a TCICA member council to be the trial council for an initiative that could benefit councils across the region, state and potentially Australia.
“TCICA’s vision is to improve the prosperity, lifestyles and wellbeing of the people we represent, but TCICA would be excited if a local initiative benefitted communities across Australia.”
Cape York Weekly asked Leichhardt Labor and Liberal National Party candidates Matt Smith and Jeremy Neal if their parties would commit to funding the project before voters headed to the ballot boxes on 3 May.
Mr Neal said he was briefed on the project during a recent trip to Mapoon with former Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch.
“I have been briefed on the project and, having only recently been provided with the proposal, I would be happy to take it forward should I win the seat of Leichhardt,” he said.
“The project makes sense, and it would certainly assist in easing the housing shortages in the Cape and surrounding areas.”
Mr Smith did not respond to requests for comment.
The Torres Cape Indigenous Council Alliance has written to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton calling for a pre-election commitment for a remote community housing pilot program known as the Mapoon Project. Photo: Facebook (Jeremy Neal – LNP for Leichhardt).
