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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.

Roger has 32 years of experience in drilling, previously for oil exploitation and now exclusively water supply boreholes. Roger uses traditional water divining methods to support his selection for borehole siting.

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?

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?

Read a brief history of Cape York and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders People, to deepen your understanding of the social and cultural context you’ll be designing in.

Cape York Peninsula is a large remote peninsula in Queensland, northern Australia, and is the location of this year’s Engineering for People Design Challenge.

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?

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?

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?