Cash for camping idea
Feds back tourism proposal
A LUXURY Cape York camping venture, operated by traditional owners, has been given a $180,000 boost to get the ball rolling.
The State Government handed over the title deeds for a 37,000ha tract of land known as Battle Camp Station and Mount Jack, northwest of Cooktown, back to the Balnggarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation in 2016.
The organisation has now secured $180,000 through the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund to establish high-end tents on the site of its Connect to Country camping project.
Leichhardt federal Liberal MP Warren Entsch said the money would allow local indigenous people to build a new industry, offering basic accommodation, tourist services and cultural tours.
“More importantly, it will strengthen community cohesion by providing local jobs and opportunities to further promote the preservation of indigenous cultural heritage,” he said.
“It will also allow traditional owners to showcase the region’s rich history and provide environmental education to visitors about the Cape York Peninsula.
“This will have major flowon benefits, including economic, social and job creation to the Balnggarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation ensuring it will continue to thrive and prosper into the future.”
Workways Australia chief executive Bryan McCormick said the organisation was proud to be chosen by the community to help establish Cape York’s newest tourist destination.
“This will be a transformational project for the Balnggarrawarra community and a model that could be adapted to other Aboriginal communities,” he said.
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