Funding for Yarrabah ferry will ease strain
A $1 million investment in transport and tourism is set to change the fortunes of Yarrabah.
An emotional Les Murgha, co-director of ferry and bus company Dindarr and a Gungandji elder, said news the group had made the shortlist of 21 programs to receive a share of the Federal Government’s $20 million Regional Jobs and Investment Package was a “dream come true”.
Mr Murgha said he had already picked out a boat and would now wait for a new $7 million jetty to be built at the Aboriginal community. It is due for completion in August 2019.
The town lies just 10km from Cairns as the crow flies, but takes up to 50 minutes to drive the 51km via road.
“This is pretty good news. It hasn’t sunk Murgha said.
“There is a whole range of benefits the ferry will make available. If you’re talking about employment, there is a lot more opportunity in Cairns and it is a long trip by bus from in really,” Mr Yarrabah and some young people don’t have their licence.
“If you’re talking about medical help, it’ll be much quicker to get people to their appointments by ferry.”
Mr Murgha said the new transport project would employ up to 20 people.
Bob Sands, who was the original skipper of the old Yarrabah ferry 40 years ago, said the community was an “untapped market” for tourists.
“International tourists come here and they want to know about Aboriginal culture, so where do they go? Tjapukai,” the 74-year-old said.
“But Yarrabah is an established Aboriginal community.”
Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said it was difficult to choose recipients of the package.
“The projects are certainly going to strengthen our economy, they are certainly going to increase the job potential in the region,” he said.
Federal Regional Development, Territories and Local Government Minister John McVeigh said just a dozen jobs made a massive difference to regional areas in Australia.
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