Over the past 18 months the community of Napranum has been busy constructing a host of new facilities.
Millions of state and federal government dollars have been poured into the community for the instalment of a new housing subdivision, a new community administration centre and to refurbish existing buildings.
Napranum is located approximately 10 minutes outside the mining town of Weipa, and was once described as one of the most impoverished Indigenous communities in Queensland.
Napranum and all communities in the Cape York lie within the State Electorate of Cook.
Former Native Title lawyer David Kempton is the local State Member for Cook. He says the Government is consulting members of the Cape community on what they want rather than imposing policy on them.
Napranum’s population is about 300 people, including construction workers who are living in the town to teach local Murris construction skills they can use when other communities in the Cape start their own upgrades.
General Director of the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs and Multicultural Affairs James Purtill is overseeing the construction process and is already noticing positive changes.
“For me it’s a very marked change, and I think it’s a change for the better, the change in focus to looking at opportunities that have a sustainability about them, economic opportunities that will provide not only jobs in Napranum but export some of that skill into other markets and providing a whole range of services. Just the whole look and feel and vibe of the place is very positive, the optimism here is very tangible, it’s just such a great change,” Mr Purtill said.
Napranum’s upgrade is part of a 10-year community development plan.
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