New housing works creating opportunities across Cape York

Extensive subdivision works in remote Aboriginal townships across Cape York will deliver job opportunities and give locals new places to call home.

Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Curtis Pitt today announced new subdivision works are reaching completion or now complete in Wujal Wujal, Hope Vale, Mapoon and Napranum.

“The Palaszczuk Government is supporting the investment of more than $5 million in housing subdivisions in these remote communities to address critical housing needs and also deliver training opportunities for local workers to build new career paths,” Mr Pitt said.

“Not only will there be work during the construction of this new land development, but we are committed to helping those involved continue into long-term employment on future projects as well.”

Mr Pitt made the announcement in Napranum while inspecting works at the town’s new $355,000 subdivision.

“Works here will finish next month with the finalisation of power connections, with work now commencing on five two-bedroom seniors’ units to be located near the Health and Community Care Centre,” Mr Pitt said.

“These units will be the first of their kind in Napranum, built to accommodate the older members of this community, ensuring they will be able to live in comfort and safety near the services they need.”

Mr Pitt also announced the completion of a new $1.8 million subdivision in Wujal Wujal.

“Construction of these eight new lots started in May and finished just last month, so procurement of building materials for four new houses is already underway with construction to start after the wet season,” Mr Pitt said.

“Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council has brought on a carpentry apprentice and three local construction trainees to get this work done, providing locals with new career opportunities.”

Mr Pitt said 14 housing lot subdivisions have been completed in Mapoon and will support new housing in the community to address overcrowding and a severe housing shortage.

“Overcrowding is a serious issue in our remote communities, which damages quality of life and contributes to all manner of social problems,” Mr Pitt said.

And residential development can get underway in a 16-lot subdivision near Hope Vale to help address similar housing issues.

“Hope Vale Council has taken charge of this development schedule and done excellent work in reaching agreements with Traditional Owners to spearhead civil works around the subdivision,” Mr Pitt said.

Other subdivision and civil works in the pipeline for the Cape include a package of development exceeding $3 million in the Northern Peninsula Area.

This includes roadworks into the 11-lot Seisia subdivision, where council is pushing workers to have the job finished before the wet season hits and once the seasonal rains clear, works will start on a six-lot subdivision in neighbouring Alau (Umagico) ready for the construction of new social housing in 2016/17.

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