Community
15 October, 2021
Yarrabah, a community on the move
YARRABAH is on the move. The small aboriginal community south of Cairns is undergoing tremendous change as several government funded projects are set to deliver tangible benefits for the community.
Community families impacted by domestic and family violence will now have better access to local transport with the purchase of a minibus for the community from bus operator Kinetic.
Minister for Women and Minister for Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Shannon Fentiman said the need for transport assistance for affected families was raised during a visit to Yarrabah in April earlier this year.
“I met with the Council and other community leaders during my visit and an issue we discussed during those meetings was how the Queensland Government and the community could work together to support local families,” Minister Fentiman said.
“The Yarrabah Aboriginal Corporation for Women had identified a need in the community for a small bus or mini-van to be able to assist local families, particularly large families, with transport.
“The corporation provides support, stability and education to the Yarrabah community and assists DFV-affected families through its Women’s Resource Centre.
“Following the meeting, my department, the Department of Justice and Attorney-General worked together with the Department of Transport and Main Roads. As a result of that collaboration Sunbus operator Kinetic donated a vehicle for the community.”
Speaker of the Queensland Parliament and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt said the corporation will soon take receipt of the minibus enabling it to provide transport assistance to members of the Yarrabah community.
“This is fantastic for our local Yarrabah community,” Mr Pitt said.
“The new bus will ensure women and families can better access vital support services as well as attend important meetings and appointments.
“The Women’s Resource Centre provide crucial support for local families, and they do incredible work in domestic and family violence prevention.”
Another key government funded project is the $11.5 million jetty, designed to increase access to and from the small community and act as a tourism driver for the Mandingalbay Yidinji Aboriginal Corporation.
Construction is nearing completion, with the final platform being laid in place on the 165-metre jetty.
Although years in planning, Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor, Ross Andrews understands the importance of this jetty for the local community and business development of the shire.
“It is evidence that you can balance economic opportunity with cultural heritage, this will be a game changer,” he said.
Currently residents needing to travel to Cairns undertake the 45-minute drive. The construction of the jetty will open the town up to passenger ferry services cutting the travel time 25 minutes.
The completion of the jetty will open the township up, allowing easier access for tourists was well as Yarrabah residents needing to visit Cairns for medical, education or recreational reasons.
