$3.7m to improve Gulf community facilities
Funding has been confirmed to deliver critical infrastructure for the Queensland Gulf community of Doomadgee.
Under Round 2 of the Closing the Gap Priorities Fund, $3.7 million has been committed to the Gulf community for critical sewer connection upgrades.
The project will construct a new sewer rising main and upgraded pump station to address capacity constraints and reduce the risk of sewer overflows.
The works will also enable a planned housing development and improve wet-season reliability, directly addressing overcrowding and public health concerns.
21 new projects
Doomadgee represents just one of 21 new projects which were funded through the State Government’s second Budget.
The 2026-27 State Budget committed more than $73 million through the Closing the Gap Priorities Fund to deliver new public health and essential infrastructure projects in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Other projects already announced include:
- Woorabinda community rugby league and sports precinct upgrde
- Cherbourg landfill facility upgrade
- Horn Island landfill facility expansion and upgrade
- Horn Island Airport runway upgrade
- Erub Island water infrastructure works
- Hope Vale after school care facility refurbishment
- Hope Vale essential services infrastructure upgrades
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Fiona Simpson said all projects funded through Closing the Gap Priorities Fund – Round 2 were local priorities and identified through direct consultation with elected Indigenous councils.
“This project will directly support new housing supply in Doomadgee. There is a risk that the existing sewer system is reaching capacity and the new subdivision under construction will further strain it, so we have acted now,” Minister Simpson said.
“By investing in public health and essential infrastructure projects in Indigenous communities, we are backing locally prioritised projects that help deliver real tangible outcomes, better services and stronger foundations for the future.
Infrastructure outcomes
“Importantly, these projects have been identified by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander councils themselves during our direct consultation, ensuring funding is directed to local priorities and delivers practical outcomes for communities.
“The Government’s support for these 21 projects clearly demonstrates our commitment to drive progress in Closing the Gap outcomes for our First Peoples.”
Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy said the investment was about delivering practical infrastructure that improves living conditions and supports long term outcomes in Doomadgee.
“This is about delivering for Doomadgee by investing in critical infrastructure that supports better health outcomes, reduces overcrowding and ensures essential services keep pace with community needs,” she said.
Important funding
“After years of Labor failing to deliver the basics, the Government is focused on practical projects like this that make a real difference on the ground and help close the gap in housing, health and infrastructure.”
Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Fredrick O’Keefe said the investment was welcomed for the community.
“I want to thank the Queensland Government for this funding. This funding is very important for us and our community,” Mayor O’Keefe said.
“It used to be very hard for us to get funding sometimes, but now we have a Minister that is starting to look after us. We are very appreciative of you helping us.”
