Tourism venture to highlight culture

Torres and Cape HHS executive director of Allied Health Amanda Wilson said the donation was a wonderful example of grassroots community spirit.

“Cooktown is a small town and there is no doubt those from the club will likely know many of the beneficiaries of their generosity,” she said.

“We thank them for reaching out to help those in need within their community.”

New health care centre gains support

A NEW $15 million health care centre is due to be constructed in Diwan to replace the existing clinic after Douglas Shire Council provided in-principal support to the developers so they could progress with the development.

The proposed development is part of a previously announced $250 million expansion of health services in the Cairns region and will mean a replacement health care facility and a new helicopter landing site for Cow Bay.

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service wrote to council in November last year asking for in-principal support for the transfer of the relevant land.

The current clinic is residing in a council-owned building and will return to council’s hands once the new facility has been constructed, allowing other community groups to potentially utilise the hall.

LOCALS and visitors will be able to learn about where the rainforest meets the reef along with the long history of its traditional caretakers with the announcement of a new Indigenous cultural tourism centre to be built in the Daintree National Park at Cape Tribulation.

The centre will explore the lives and histories of the Eastern Kuku Yalanjiwarra people, members of the oldest living culture in the world who proudly care for the oldest living rainforest in the world.

The Eastern Kuku Yalanjiwarra Culture and Tourism Hub development is jointly funded through the Australian and Queensland Governments and will be managed by the Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation.

Visitors to the hub will be able to meet Eastern Kuku Yalanji people and to learn about their land, sea and culture and enjoy performances including traditional ceremonies and dance.

The centre will also have interpretative cultural and art displays and information about the two World Heritage Areas it sits between and offer visitors access to a range of other cultural tourism experiences in the region.

“The Queensland Government is working closely with the Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation to finalise the planning of the Eastern Kuku Yalanjiwarra Culture Tourism Hub construction project,” Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Youth Affairs Meaghan Scanlon said.

“This is an initiative we are jointly funding with the Australian Government.

“The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service is leading a thorough planning process for the construction of the hub, taking into consideration the environmental sensitivities and cultural significance of Daintree National Park.

“We are committed to achieving the best outcomes for the Eastern Kuku Yalanjiwarra people and the local tourism sector while protecting the unique biodiversity in the area.”