Cape Communities Win on Communications

Cape York Partnerships 3 July 2001

Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation, is today celebrating its success following the announcement by the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Richard Alston of a $5.2m allocation of funds to the Cape region. The funding is for projects in rural and remote areas under the Commonwealth Government's Networking the Nation (NtN) program.

The funding will go to Balkanus' project the Cape York Digital Network (CYDN). The CYDN, which has been two years in development includes a broadband network, equipment and services that will provide increased and enhanced telecommunications infrastructure throughout the region.

Balkanu is owned by the Cape York Charitable Trust, which was established by Cape York Leaders to provide charitable activities for the benefit of Cape York Aboriginal people.

The CYDN project is entirely managed by Cape York Aboriginal people and includes Gerhardt Pearson, Balkanu Executive Director, Daniel Grainger, Project Manager and a Young Australian of the Year recipient, and Gladys Tybingoompa, Cape York Charitable Trust Director and Senior Wik Elder.

"We are especially proud of the CYDN because we started it up ourselves. And now all the hard work by our organisations and communities has paid off. I have always said that technology and education is the way for our people into the future. By giving us this money, the minister has confirmed that the federal government is committed to finding solutions to the social and economic problems faced by our people and that he believes that we are able to do this for ourselves."
Gladys Tybingoompa

"This funding will help our people in the Cape tremendously by providing enhanced mobile coverage, Internet access at affordable costs and other increased services like tele-health and teleconferencing. It will improve safety, provide better services for tourism and increase economic activity possibilities.

I congratulate the federal governments commitment and foresight on this project. Our biggest challenge now is to work with other stakeholders like the Queensland government who have also expressed commitment through the Cape York Partnerships project to ensure that QLD Government services providers back the project and use its services."
Daniel Grainger

"This funding is a win for the whole region. Balkanu has worked closely alongside the Cape York Peninsula Development Association (who service all Cape residents including pastoralist, business and environmental groups) to ensure enhanced telecommunications services are provided across the Cape.

As this project rolls out residents will become better equipped to compete economically in tourist related businesses. Communities will receive enhanced social services through education and health and increased mobile access along major arterial roads will ensure quicker response times in emergencies."
Gerhardt Pearson

Communities to benefit from services in Cape York Peninsula are Weipa, Aurukun, Lockhart River, Coen, Thursday Island, Bamaga, Laura, Pormpuraaw, Kowanyama, Lakeland Downs and Hopevale.