‘Here to help’: New tradies program to ease Cape York housing crisis
A southern Cape York leader is mentoring the next generation of chippies, plumbers and builders in a bid to address his remote Indigenous community’s housing crisis.
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A southern Cape York leader is mentoring the next generation of tradies in a bid to address his remote Indigenous community’s housing crisis and curb youth unemployment.
In partnership with not-for-profit Community Owned Enterprises, Wujal Wujal councillor Lucas Creek is building the skills of nine young men with plans to build dozens more homes over the next five years.
The township’s “extreme” housing crisis was made worse after flooding and Tropical Cyclone Jasper last wet season with a need for more chippies, plumbers and builders identified by Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council soon after, Mr Creek said.
“This is to get some of our boys active, build their work ethic and get them into a full-time job,” he said.
“Right now, we pretty much only have the council as the main job provider at the moment, so it can be limiting for some boys.
“A lot of them have to go out of town or to a different area to obtain a job.”
Upskilling young people will bolster the community’s workforce and tool up new workers to help build a proposed 30 new homes within the community by 2030, Mr Creek said.
“With the recovery, we’re trying to establish people who can run their own businesses eventually,” the proud Kuku Ngunkal man said.
“Get them training … they’re completing a certificate one in construction currently.
“I’m working with enthusiastic young blokes who are really enjoying it at the moment. We’re seeing the boys progress every day and attitudes changing every week.”
About a third of all homes in Wujal Wujal were flooded following TC Jasper, placing more pressure on already overcrowded residences in the town.
“The number one strain on our community is overcrowding,” the council’s CEO Kiley Hanslow said recently.
“Some houses have more than 10 people living in a three-bedroom house, but often there’s more.”
The program can also play a key role in shaping the future of the community’s 300 residents, trainee Dujuan Yougie said.
“I wanted to find a job for my future,” Mr Yougie, 24, said.
“We need to be role models out there for the younger ones so they can look up to us and make a name for our community.
“I love it here. This is my home.”
Mr Creek, whose family home was one of 26 houses flooded following TC Jasper, said having more skilled workers within Wujal Wujal was a crucial step towards creating a more resilient community.
“Pretty much three quarters of my house was inundated,” he said.
“The next door neighbour’s house was completely flooded. You couldn’t even see the hot water system on the roof anymore.
“But I’m here to help the recovery now. That’s why I became a councillor.”
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