Remote areas of Cape York rely largely on groundwater for domestic use and for cattle stations. Rainwater tanks are also commonly used to supply drinking water at the individual dwelling level. Establishing and maintaining supplies are constrained by funding and supply chain challenges, while also considering the cultural significance of the land and water. Climate resilient infrastructure is needed to combat monsoon flooding and cyclones. What ideas can you propose to improve the situation?

Homeland and outstations sometimes rely on the discrete communities they surround on sanitation services. From purchasing sanitation products to emptying septic tanks. Rangers and campers on Country must abide by strict environmental protection and legislation to prevent greywater from negatively affecting National Parks and the surrounding environment. What ideas can you propose to improve the situation?

Access to energy is a key enabler for life in the remote areas of Cape York. Homelands and outstations rely on stand-alone systems that are met with notable efficiency, financial and maintenance challenges. What ideas can you come up with to provide reliable, efficient and affordable energy access?

Waste management in the remote areas of the Cape York Peninsula is limited. Most waste goes to landfill. Abandoned fishing equipment, marine plastic and debris from overseas accumulates in the coastal areas. E-waste is also an increasing challenge as there is limited opportunity to repurpose white goods. Can you propose any innovative ways to deal with this waste in a safe and sustainable manner?

The current environmental crisis is felt acutely across Australia through increased droughts, bush fires, severe loss of biodiversity, the poor state of Australian soils and climate change. Farming and land management practices that are more regenerative and environmentally harmonious are being sought. There is increasing recognition that traditional land management approaches practiced by First Nations peoples across Australia can help address these challenges. Many land management activities revolve around the wet season and fire season. What solutions can you come up with that can aid sustainable and traditional approaches to food production and land management in Cape York?

Mobile coverage and bandwidth is limited in Cape York but there have been improvements over the years in connecting homelands and outstations. Increasing digital infrastructure provides opportunities for the local economy to access national and global markets, education and remote monitoring for conservation and other infrastructure. What digital solutions can you come up with to improve the quality of life in remote Cape York?

The remoteness of Cape York creates challenges in accessing essential services and makes it difficult for industries to remain competitive and sustainable. The vast majority of the peninsula is only accessible by four-by-four vehicles or light aircraft, and often only outside of monsoon season. Barges supply bulk goods to several discrete communities during the wet season when road transport cannot bring in essential supplies. Can you propose any ideas to improve transportation in Cape York?

These case studies feature a diverse range of people, businesses and experts on remote life in the Cape York Peninsula, interviewed in May and June 2021.

For 40 years, the Center for Appropriate Technology has facilitated the appropriate technology and enabling infrastructure required for Traditional Owners to live and thrive on their traditional country. Andre’s role and projects that he runs in Queensland has evolved significantly over recent times in response to the Cape York Tenure Resolution program in particular, and the emergence of the conservation economy.