Employment, housing and community safety are among the issues to be prioritised in a vision for Aurukun Shire Council, according to newly elected Mayor Barbara Bandicootcha.
Mayor Bandicootcha is looking forward to working with Deputy Mayor Craig Koomeeta and Councillors Jayden Marrott, Leona Yunkaporta and Eloise Yunkaporta to develop Council priorities based on the community’s needs.
“I was voted in by the community and I’m willing to sit down and hear what they have to say,” she said.
“There is too much division within community and amongst us along family lines.
“The community didn’t have choices back when the missionaries rounded people up from the surrounding area. But now things have changed, and I want the community to have a say.
“Today we have choices. We are all the Wik nation, but we live differently within our tribe and our clan groups.
“Wik people need to be in the driver’s seat. Solutions should always be driven by the Wik nation.
“As a new Council we need to discuss issues such as education and how we get our children to school. It takes a community to raise a child, but a lot of people are refusing to be a part of that and not stepping in when they see children doing the wrong thing.
“I want to see more people becoming involved in community issues instead of the same people having to take responsibility all the time.
“Division is not part of our culture. Our Elders who achieved great things in the past did so because they were united.
“More healing programs are needed to deal with inter-generational trauma to help people whose mindset has them living in the past and dwelling on issues from years ago. They need to think about what tomorrow brings.
“Employment is a big issue and more local people need to seek and remain in employment. Job-ready programs and initiatives to support employees could help with this.
“Housing is also an issue which I am already getting requests for help with, and we need to understand why some houses are not occupied.
“I’m pleased to learn that council has put out a tender for a safety management plan which will address issues such as sly grogging and alcohol management.
“There needs to be a review of effective service delivery against the funds that are currently provided in our community to ensure there is no duplication and the community’s needs are being met.
“A lot of people keep reminding me that it will be a big challenge, but I am ready for this and will do my best for my community.”
