‘Make-or-break’ clinic reopens in Wujal Wujal six months on from Far North flood

Wujal Wujal residents have moved one step closer to “normal” with a temporary clinic providing community members with access to vital health services within the remote Indigenous community, leaders say.

Senior Health Worker Anna Cleary and Director of Nursing Vince Connellan at the opening of the Wujal Wujal temporary health clinic

Wujal Wujal residents have moved one step closer to “normal” with a temporary clinic providing community members with access to vital health services within the remote Indigenous community, leaders say.

The township’s primary health centre was inundated in December with hundreds of residents evacuated to Cooktown just days before Christmas.

Director of Nursing Vince Connellan giving Cook MP Cynthia Lui a tour at the opening of the Wujal Wujal temporary health clinic

But after six months’ work to rebuild the community, located 170km north of Cairns, elders and dignitaries attended a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday to mark the clinic’s reopening.

More than 100 residents have returned in recent weeks with dozens more expected to return now that medical services are readily available, Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council CEO Kiley Hanslow said.

“A lot of people in the community who have health needs like diabetes, heart disease or are on dialysis, this was a make-or-break issue,” Ms Hanslow said.

“50 tenants have their properties and keys back and work on all 91 social houses in the community have been completed.

“There are some potholes being patched up, rubbish management and some other minor things that still need to be done.

“But it’s starting to feel normal again.”

Ribbon cutting at the opening of the Wujal Wujal temporary health clinic

All 16 staff have returned to support the clinic including nurses, health workers, operational officers, and administration staff, plus visiting doctors.

Ms Hanslow said a permanent site for the clinic was being considered as well as a potential shelter to protect residents during future weather events.

“There’s an area that could fit a refuge where the Chinooks landed following the flood event as well as a new space for the clinic and the SES,” she said.

“That way we’ve got all those emergency services in the one area. But we’ll have to do some community consultation and lobby for some funding first.”

Wujal Wujal Mayor Alister Gibson at the opening of the Wujal Wujal temporary health clinic.

New mayor Alister Gibson said he was proud to see how resilient his community had been following the natural disaster.

“Just looking back at how our community has responded, no-one could come in just a few months ago and everything was covered in debris,” Mr Gibson said.

“To see the change is pretty special. We’re really grateful to have so many people work to make it possible for the community to return.”

Member for Cook, Cynthia Lui paid tribute to the hundreds of displaced residents who were forced to live in Cooktown, Cairns, Mossman and on the Atherton Tablelands following the flood caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

“The Wujal Wujal community has faced such an immense challenge since the

flooding event caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper in December, and I can only

imagine the sadness of being forced to leave your homes as well as the uncertainty

of when you would be able to return and how that would look,” Ms Lui said.

“We know recovery and rebuilding is about more than bricks and mortar.

“Resuming the health, social and emotional wellbeing services people need in

community is critical, and I celebrate and thank the many people who have been

working tirelessly to make this happen.”

At least 150 more residents are expected to return to Wujal Wujal in the coming months.

Originally published as ‘Make-or-break’ clinic reopens in Wujal Wujal six months on from Far North flood