Homecoming nears for hundreds of Wujal Wujal residents, evacuated following flooding caused by TC Jasper

Raging flood waters, caused by Tropical Cyclone Jasper, destroyed homes and businesses in Wujal Wujal, forcing elders onto rooftops in the dark before being whisked to safety via helicopter by the Australian Defence Force.

The Wujal Wujal Primary Health Centre was one of dozens of buildings badly damaged during the December flood that led to the remote indigenous community being evacuated. Workers are in the final stages of completing a temporary health clinic for residents. Image: Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service

Hundreds of residents from a southern Cape York community evacuated following the wettest tropical cyclone in Australian history last December may finally be heading home soon.

Raging flood waters, caused by Tropical Cyclone Jasper, destroyed homes and businesses in Wujal Wujal, forcing elders onto rooftops in the dark before being whisked to safety via helicopter by the Australian Defence Force.

The new facility, located at Yindili’mu Bayan Eco Lodge on Douglas St, will include four consultation rooms and two emergency beds. Image: Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service

Since then, the Queensland Reconstruction Authority has worked to rebuild the remote indigenous community, located 170km north of Cairns, with wet weather and badly damaged infrastructure slowing progress.

But with potable water now flowing from taps, power reconnected and sewerage finally re-established, a QRA spokesman confirmed a “staggered” return was set to start in the coming weeks.

“The staged return will commence for the residents of around 50 properties that did not

sustain damage,” the spokesman said.

“These properties are expected to be available for occupancy progressively.

“Each household’s return to the community will occur based on specific needs.”

The interior of a Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council building following the flood which peaked on December 17, 2023. Picture: Bronwyn Farr

Telecommunications have returned via a temporary satellite dish that has been erected in the township while Telstra undertakes repairs on the Mt Misery phone tower.

Elders toured the community’s new temporary health facility last week with installation of clinical equipment slated for this week and the town’s police station also now operational.

Incoming mayor, Alister Gibson said it had been a difficult four months for the community with residents forced to live in Cairns, Mossman, Cooktown and on the Tablelands.

“They’re looking forward to it after so long (away) and everything they went through and our elders too,” Mr Gibson said.

Incoming Wujal Wujal mayor Alister Gibson will be sworn in this week. Image: Rick Moyer

The former Indigenous ranger and his fellow councillors will be sworn in this Tuesday.

“I’m going to miss my ranger work and being out on country and working with my elders,” Mr Gibson said.

“I’ll miss the team but I’m really excited to start.

“It’ll be good to get the ball rolling alongside my councillors.”

A staggered return to Wujal Wujal for residents will come after new mayor Alister Gibson is sworn in as mayor next week.

But the wait could still be much longer for some families with seven homes damaged following the flood still yet to be repaired.

“Work is continuing to assess and repair homes and buildings damaged by flooding to ensure properties are safe and habitable and reconnected to utilities,” the QRA spokesman said.

“It is important to note that restoration of services, such as the health clinic, will provide

support to the wider Bloomfield Valley area.”

Landslides run for hundreds of metres down cliff faces and into the ocean on the Bloomfield Track between Wujal Wujal and Cape Tribulation.

Torrential rainfall from TC Jasper peaked at 2252mm at Bairds near the Daintree River, beating the mark previously set by TC Peter in 1979 for the wettest cyclone in Australian history.

Originally published as Homecoming nears for hundreds of Wujal Wujal residents, evacuated following flooding caused by TC Jasper