MP Curtis Pitt celebrates Yarrabah jetty officially opening

There are high hopes a major piece of infrastructure will finally unlock transport and tourism potential for this Indigenous community. Read what users can expect.

YARRABAH’S long-awaited jetty and pontoon will be officially opened today, but some users are still critical of the $11.5m piece of infrastructure.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the new 165m jetty with its pontoon at Gribble Point would be great assets for the community.

“Construction of a landing at Yarrabah has been talked about for many years, and I am sure that the local community is as pleased as I am to see it finally becoming reality,” he said.

Construction work on the brand new $11 million concrete jetty off the western point of Yarrabah. Picture: Brendan Radke

“This is more than just a jetty and pontoon – this fantastic new infrastructure is now an iconic piece of Yarrabah and something locals can use and be proud of for many years to come.”

The jetty includes a pontoon and Traditional Owner totems with artworks by a local Gunggandji artist.

Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt said it was an important project that he had advocated long and hard to secure the funding for.

“As Queensland’s largest Indigenous community, it was important that the area had the right access and could capitalise on the economic opportunities of the region,” he said.

“From identifying a suitable location to applying appropriate finishing touches, the people of Yarrabah have been on board for every step of the journey.”

The jetty has been long contested as local ferry and bus operator, Dindarr Pty Ltd director Peter McAllister told Cairns Post in March the jetty would be inaccessible for at least 130 days of the year because of low water depth, tides, longevity of the construction and the length of the deck.

Addressing the concerns, Mr Pitt said tide schedules were mostly known in advance which would help the community plan their commute.

Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt said the tide schedules were known in advance so the community can plan their commute around it. Picture: Stewart McLean

“Travel to and from Yarrabah has always been a complex concern, and I am currently communicating with Kinetic and TransLink to further consider transport options and accessibility for the community,” he said.

“Any future transport opportunities, will of course, involve consultation with the Yarrabah Council, Yarrabah Leadership Forum and the community.”

Yarrabah mayor Ross Andrews has been working with the Queensland Government for 4 years to make the project a reality. Picture: Brendan Radke

Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Ross Andrews congratulated all involved for completing the “largest piece of infrastructure invested into the Yarrabah community on time and within budget”.

“This piece of infrastructure provides a further link that will allow us to become ‘tourism ready’ as Yarrabah embarks upon opportunities to showcase our authentic Indigenous art and culture,” he said.

Originally published as MP Curtis Pitt celebrates Yarrabah jetty officially opening