The Albanese Government is supporting the delivery of Yarrabah’s first retail and commercial precinct, providing $10 million funding from the latest round of the $400 million regional Precincts and Partnerships Program (rPPP).

The precinct will house a new supermarket and a social services and employment agency, bringing together essential employment, social and retail services in one location. 

Yarrabah is one of the only places in Australia without a dedicated retail and commercial precinct and the new infrastructure will deliver this for the community.

The precinct will facilitate local business growth, entrepreneurship, and training opportunities, while creating a place for people to gather.

The Albanese Government is supporting eight projects across regional, rural and remote Australia with $45 million in funding through the latest round of the regional Precincts and Partnerships Program.

This includes $20 million across two Queensland projects.

A full list of projects funded through the rPPP is available at: infrastructure.gov.au/regional.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, Kristy McBain MP:

“Yarrabah has long needed a central place for business and community to connect and access government services, and this new project delivers so the town can thrive.

“This new precinct will put core services such as a supermarket, Wugu Nyambil Employment Agency, Centrelink, and Mission Australia in a new building designed to serve the community.

“We are delivering integral infrastructure for Queensland communities to grow and renew their regional economies.”

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Northern Australia, Senator Nita Green:

“This is a game changing project for the community of Yarrabah. It will mean so much to the people who call it home, and I congratulate the council on their hard work to receive this funding.

“A retail and commercial precinct like this will create opportunities for the community, and a place of pride that they can come together knowing that it is because of their advocacy that Yarrabah is receiving this investment.

“It is projects like these that make me so incredibly proud to be part of an Albanese Labor Government.”

Quotes attributable to Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Daryl Sexton:

“This $10 million investment by the Albanese Government will be life-changing for Yarrabah. Importantly, this government has recognised the needs of our community and the importance of investing in infrastructure that will make a real and lasting difference to our people.

“For the first time, Yarrabah will have a dedicated business centre bringing together essential retail, employment and social services in one location. This will improve access to services and create a stronger foundation for local economic development.” 

“The project will create local jobs and training opportunities during construction, as well as ongoing employment and business opportunities through the supermarket, service providers and other tenants that will operate from the centre. 

“It will also strengthen our community’s resilience, particularly during disasters and periods when access to Cairns may be disrupted, by improving our ability to store essential dry and cold food supplies locally. 

“This investment demonstrates what can be achieved when governments listen to the needs and priorities of our community. It will help us genuinely work towards Closing the Gap by improving access to essential services, creating local employment and economic opportunities, and building a stronger and more resilient Yarrabah for future generations. 

“On behalf of the Yarrabah community, I thank the Albanese Government and Minister McBain for recognising our needs and investing in the long-term future of our community.”