THE Mossman Gorge community will receive $1 million to fund land and infrastructure upgrades.

The Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, and the Member for Leichhardt, Warren Entsch, jointly announced the funding yesterday to support the pilot project, which will be delivered in partnership with the Queensland Government.

“One of the most significant challenges to economic development in Mossman Gorge is the current land tenure arrangements which hamper home ownership and business development,” Scullion said.

“This pilot project will address this situation through land tenure reform by enabling individual interests in land to be issued.

“Most importantly, the project will lead to better services for local residents and enable $3.7 million in social housing upgrades to occur.

“The project will see a full subdivision of community land and provide a pathway for home ownership as well as an upgrade of municipal infrastructure including roads, water and sewerage reticulation.

“The people of Mossman Gorge have a strong interest in private home ownership, and this subdivision will at last make this a reality. This project will include upgrades to all homes in the community.”

The project is set to boost employment among local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as it would be a requirement that Indigenous businesses play a key role in the infrastructure upgrades.

Sixteen local Indigenous people have already registered to undertake construction training ahead of the works commencing.

Entsch praised the Mossman Gorge community for its commitment to improving local economic, housing and municipal outcomes.

“In communities where home ownership is already a reality, there’s been a high level of uptake from locals wanting the responsibility of owning and maintaining their property,” Entsch said.

“Not only does it boost people’s economic participation, but there’s a financial benefit for local councils that can receive rates and it also leads to greater levels of community pride.

“I’d also like to acknowledge John McIntyre and the Bamanga Bubu Ngadimunku Inc board who together have driven this home ownership proposal with the Federal and State Governments. Their passion and dedication to improving outcomes for local Indigenous people are to be commended.”

 
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