The Queensland government is investing more than AU$13 million for the Torres Strait islands and the Far North community of Hope Vale to fund five new infrastructure projects aimed at improving living standards and water security.
Announced as part of the 2026-27 State Budget, the AU$13.64 million funding falls under Round 2 of the Closing the Gap Priorities Fund.
The regional funding will target essential services including waste management, transport safety, water reliability, and early childhood education.
Among the funded projects, Horn Island will receive major upgrades to its local landfill facility to expand capacity and protect the environmental integrity of the nearby Loggy Creek Dam, alongside safety upgrades for the local airport runway.
On Erub Island, investment will flow into water infrastructure to reduce supply losses and bolster ongoing desalination capabilities.
Further south, the Hope Vale community will benefit from water and sewerage system upgrades. The funding will also see Hope Vale’s former After School Care facility refurbished into a modern kindergarten that doubles as a hub for visiting child health services.
“By investing in public health and essential infrastructure in Indigenous communities, we are backing locally prioritised projects that help deliver real tangible outcomes, better services and stronger foundations for the future,” said Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Fiona Simpson
“Importantly, these projects have been identified by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander councils themselves during our direct consultation, ensuring funding is directed to local priorities and delivers practical outcomes for communities.”
The five Far North initiatives form part of a broader AU$73 million state budget commitment delivering 21 new public health and infrastructure projects across Queensland’s Indigenous communities.
Torres Shire Council Mayor Elsie Seriat OAM welcomed the targeted investment, noting that isolation makes public works uniquely challenging.
“In the Torres Strait, everything is more complex and more expensive to deliver,” Seriat said.
“We do not have the same access to nearby facilities that mainland communities can rely on, so investment in our own essential infrastructure is vital.”
