Funding supports 11 Indigenous councils across the Cape. Photo: Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council Facebook.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering on an election commitment to provide a $2 million funding program to support local economic development.
Funds go towards 11 Indigenous councils across Cape York to deliver job-creating programs, drive long-term opportunities and strengthen local economies.
The State Government hopes this commitment will give the councils more power and ability to enact positive change in the community, which it hopes to achieve collaboratively with individual councils.
Central to the program is support for businesses, jobs, investment, cultural and community programs and other initiatives that support local prosperity.
Dubbed the Indigenous Cape Communities Economic Development Fund (ICCEDF), the initiative allocated non-competitive funding to support local projects in 11 Indigenous Cape communities.
Eligible recipients and allocations include:
- Aurukun Shire Council
- Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council
- Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council
- Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council
- Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire Council
- Torres Strait Island Regional Shire Council
- Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council
- Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council
- Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council
- Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council
- Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council.
Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy stated that the new fund made good on an election promise to support the Indigenous communities of the Cape by investing in local development.
“We’re committed to unlocking economic potential no matter where you live in Queensland, ensuring even our most remote communities have the support to build sustainable local economies, more jobs and a better lifestyle,” Ms Leahy said.
“This fresh start is about empowering the councils to deliver projects that reflect their local needs, priorities and aspirations to foster long-term benefits.”
Funds must be spent on projects which aim to achieve economic development in the areas of workforce or business support, investment, infrastructure development or community and culture.
“The Crisafulli Government is delivering practical outcomes for our Indigenous communities across Queensland through locally driven projects which turn the dial on Closing The Gap,” Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Fiona Simpson said.
“This funding can be used to build workforce capacity through skills development, upgrade infrastructure to support local businesses, or facilitate community initiatives to enhance liveability.”
More information can be found on the government’s website.
