Member for Cook backs Cape York housing proposal

A $20m housing proposal to increase and diversify the types of dwellings available in remote communities has been endorsed by a Far North MP ahead of the federal election.

The remote Indigenous community of Wujal Wujal in southern Cape York is one of more than a dozen townships in the region experiencing overcrowding within homes. Picture: Mapping the Digital Gap/Facebook.

A $20m housing proposal to increase and diversify the types of dwellings available in remote Indigenous communities across Cape York has been endorsed by a Far North MP ahead of the federal election.

In a letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, the Torres and Cape Indigenous Councils Alliance (TCICA) urged both major parties to deliver six stand-alone one-bedroom units in eight townships, if elected.

Member for Cook, David Kempton said the accommodation would help improve workforce retention across the Cape and ease overcrowding in homes.

“I’m working with the (Queensland) housing minister (Sam O’Connor) continually to build more housing for frontline workers,” Mr Kempton said.

Cook MP David Kempton.

“I would support (LNP candidate for Leichhardt) Jeremy Neal or any candidate who brings housing programs into these communities.”

Housing options in remote communities were often limited with units and one-bedroom dwellings hard to find, Mr Kempton said.

“Houses need to be fit for purpose, not only in terms of their structure but their configuration,” he said.

“You can’t just build more large houses and cram more families in. Smaller dwellings are on the agenda and also accommodation that can be attached to existing houses.”

In Leichhardt, neither Labor’s Matt Smith or the Coalition’s Jeremy Neal have backed the project but retiring MP Warren Entsch praised the proposal as a “brilliant concept”.

Kowanyama mayor Territa Dick wrote the letter on behalf of TCICA, declaring that communities were desperate for more housing.

“We are calling on both sides of politics to formally commit to this initiative as part of the upcoming election and ensure its inclusion in future budget considerations,” the TCICA chair said.

“We believe that this pilot can be a practical, high-impact and scalable solution to an issue that has persisted for too long.

“With rising cost-of-living pressures and ongoing housing shortages, we cannot afford further delays in providing our people with the housing they need.”

Originally published as Member for Cook backs Cape York housing proposal