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Cape York Leaders Unite for Food Security Workshop

Key takeaways

  • The workshop explored practical ways to boost local supply chains and increase community-based food production, reducing reliance on expensive and unreliable resupply routes.
  • Discussions reinforced that healthy soil and reliable water are critical to growing local food. TNQ Drought Hub Regional Soil Coordinator Dhiraj Gajera contributed technical insights into soil capability and sustainable production.
  • The workshop was supported by the TNQ Drought Hub’s SATSIE Program, helping bring councils, enterprises, health agencies and technical experts together to form a Community of Practice focused on long-term food resilience.

Cape York Natural Resource Management (Cape York NRM), with support from the TNQ Drought Hub Sustainable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Enterprise Program (SATSIE), hosted a regional Food Security Workshop in Cairns on the 12 February bringing together community leaders, local councils, enterprises and technical experts to establish a Community of Practice to strengthen food resilience across Cape York.

The workshop provided a valuable platform to share on the ground challenges and opportunities in improving access to affordable, nutritious food in remote communities. Discussions focused on strengthening local supply chains, exploring opportunities for local food production, and supporting community led solutions that build long-term resilience.

Representatives attended from Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council, Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council, Cook Shire Council, Torres Cape Indigenous Council Alliance (TCICA), Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire Council, Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council, Northern Peninsula Area communities, Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council and Yarrabah. Community Enterprises Queensland, who provide essential foods and goods across 31 stores in Cape York and the Torres Strait, also contributed to the discussions, alongside Health and Wellbeing Queensland.

Representatives gather to discuss food security across the Cape York region

SATSIE Program Lead Dr Jim Turnour said, “The strong cross-sector representation reflects our shared commitment to improving food systems across the region. By working collaboratively with councils and community organisations to health agencies and local businesses we’re reinforcing the importance of coordinated, community-driven approaches to achieving lasting food security outcomes for remote communities.”

TNQ Drought Hub Regional Soil Coordinator Dhiraj Gajera contributed technical insights into soil capability and sustainable production, with a Cape York NRM represented noting that “For us, water and soil are life. Without healthy soil, nothing grows.”

Cook Shire Council was able to provide an update on their increased local dry storage, “Every resupply costs around $50,000. Two years ago we had four resupplies that’s over $200,000. Since increasing local dry storage, last year we only had one. That’s a $150,000 saving.”

The strong link between healthier eating, improved health outcomes and stronger communities was acknowledged, particularly given that many remote communities can be cut off for months each year. This makes the ability to maintain a consistent supply of fresh fruit and vegetables challenging but incredibly important. Discussions also explored community capacity and aspirations to grow and strengthen local food security options.

This project is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program.