Cape York Weekly FREE – #019 | Monday, February 1, 2021
Editor: Matt Nicholls 0477 450 558 | editor@capeyorkweekly.com.au
Growth stunted by lack of rentals, child care
NO VACANCY By MATT NICHOLLS
A LACK of rental properties and adequate child care is the biggest issue facing Weipa in 2021. The town is capable of growth and there are a number of vacant job positions, but nowhere to accommodate new arrivals. Weipa Real Estate has zero rental properties available, while Western Cape Real Estate has just three that are ready to lease – all of them units. The waiting list at Cape Kids continues to grow and some parents are being forced to stay at home with their children. Michael Rowland, the chairman of the Weipa Town Authority, said it was a cause for concern. “This is something that we’ve had a few conversations about,” he said last week. “Child care is a major problem and there’s no obvious solution that is in our control.” Rio Tinto is the owner of Cape Kids and recently expanded the child care facility to accommodate more children, but it hasn’t solved the problem. “People want to put the blame on Rio Tinto but I don’t think it is entirely their responsibility,” Mr Rowland said. “There are a number of major employers in town that need to come to the table.” Mr Rowland said the problem was unlikely to be solved quickly. “This is why we want to be a normalised community,” he said. Continued – Page 2
OUR TOP CITIZENS RUSSELL and Jasmine Scikluna had every right to smile after they were announced as Weipa’s Citizens of the Year on Australia Day. The father and daughter combination have individually contributed to making Weipa a better place. Australia Day coverage – Pages 2, 6, 7 & 8