East Weipa nearly ready to be returned to owners
Rio Tinto Weipa has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with four Traditional Owner groups which details an agreed consultation process around closure planning for the East Weipa bauxite mine. The MoU was jointly developed over a period of seven months between Traditional Owners and Rio Tinto and lays a path regarding the eventual return of their lands after mining at East Weipa stops.
Lost weaving practice is brought back to life for popular art fair
Samuel Davis. A grandmother's tale has linked past-to-present and revived a traditional weaving practice lost decades ago in western Cape York ... Inspired by their find, Luanna and Daphne are now sharing the practice with other artists in the region as well. The duo’s weavings have culminated with works Woven in Time and They Journey being exhibited at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair last week.
Rare cassowary sighting near Tip
A team of researchers have come across a female cassowary in a remote section of northern Cape York, making it only the second confirmed sighting of its species in the area in four years. The encounter happened on the first day of a six-day survey that was being conducted by Ipima Ikaya Country Traditional Owners and consultant Wren McLean, facilitated by Cape York NRM.
The Archer finally gets 4G access
More than three years after it was first announced, the Archer River Roadhouse has a mobile phone tower. Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch made the announcement in early 2019 that Archer River was getting a phone tower under the federal government’s blackspot program.
Region growth steady
Weipa is the boom town of Cape York as census figures revealed it is the highest earning community in the region and also one of the fastest growing. Overall, Cape York showed steady growth in both population and household income, although there were some exceptions, with Weipa standing out.
Sky’s the limit as airline sets sights on the future
Cape York airline Skytrans has partnered with Stralis Aircraft to develop and trial Australia's first hydrogen electric propulsion aeroplane. The zero-emissions hydrogen electric propulsion system (HEPS) will be installed on a Beech 1900D Airliner with the trial flight to occur in North Queensland, demonstrating the technology is reliable for tough local conditions and the area's pristine ecosystems.
Aurukun dancer inspires a prize winning portrait
Eric Yunkaporta was about to step onto the ceremonial dance grounds at Laura when photographer Wayne Quilliam asked if he could take a quick photo. The picture of Mr Yunkaporta in his ceremonial headgear and body paint, titled Silent Strength, has now won a $50,000 prize.
