Community
25 February, 2025
‘Seems unsafe’
MOST submissions about a proposed ‘youth training village’ in the Daintree oppose the idea.
Douglas Shire Council has received 50 submissions with 90 per cent against the development. Submissions have now closed
Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation has applied to the council for a material change of use for the education establishment which would include accommodation and facilities to provide “agriculturally-based vocational training and other cultural and therapeutic programs”.
The names and addresses on the submissions, which are on the council’s website, have been redacted.
A Daintree Village resident for more than 20 years, a Rural Fire Brigade member and part of the disaster response team in the village said he had observed many and varied floods and cyclones in the area. “I have looked at the flood overlay FST-013 (Fig.1) which is included in the application and note that it was drawn up prior to the most recent floods.
“The January 2019 and December 2023 floods both exceeded the overlay by at least 2-3m.
“The last two flood events were close together and suggest the 1-in-100 year flood data is no longer a reliable indicator, especially as we are affected by climate change.
“A proposed educational facility in an isolated location with only river access, subject to increasing severe flooding, seems unsafe.”
The resident said juvenile crime was “like a blanket over our towns and cities”.
“In Daintree Village we are fortunate that residents live in a very peaceful and safe location.
“If this project is approved Daintree Village will change forever.
“Most sadly know victims of juvenile crime and their lives are forever changed. No-one thinks of the victims. It will take only one incident and it will ignite fear and anxiety.”
But a Bamboo resident, who is a Julaywarra Traditional Owner, supports the project.
“As a former Aboriginal reserve it was home to several of our families, including my family and has great cultural significance to us,” the resident said.
The Traditional Owner said the community should have no fear “as it is our turn again now to be the guardians once again of the land and, hopefully in time, the non-Indigenous youth can also be part of this program”.
“We want to be given the chance to protect and preserve our Kuku Yalanji culture and land and to take care of our own.
“I strongly support the proposal to develop the property to provide training for young people through the intensive On Country program as well as creating employment for Kuku Yalanji Bama.”
Jabalbina was asked to respond to the submissions.
