Hope Vale Digital Services Centre to strengthen community access and jobs pathways

Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council is set to gain a new Digital Services Centre, with the project secured through a $1.84 million grant under the Australian Government’s Growing Regions Program.

The funding was confirmed in a joint announcement on 7 January 2025 by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King, and Senator for Queensland Nita Green. The Hope Vale project was one of seven Far North Queensland projects to share in almost $25 million from Round 2 of the program.

The new centre will extend the existing Business Hub and Council Chambers to create a dedicated space for digital capability and community support services, with a focus on digital literacy, training and local employment pathways.

According to the federal Department of Infrastructure, the project will “construct a digital service centre” for the Hope Vale community (Source: Growing Regions Program – Round 2 funded projects, infrastructure.gov.au).

Announcing the wider Far North Queensland package, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: “My Government is building Australia’s future, today announcing more than $50 million will be allocated to infrastructure projects across Far North Queensland.” He added that the projects would mean “more houses for more Cairns locals and better community facilities to bring them together” (Source: Joint media release, 7 January 2025).

Minister for Infrastructure Catherine King said the package was about lifting living standards across the region: “From Pormpuraaw to Cairns, we’re boosting homes and connecting communities by building the infrastructure they deserve.” She said the Government wanted to make the regions “even better places to live, work and play”.

Senator for Queensland Nita Green said: “I am so proud to be part of a Government that cares about and invests in the communities of Far North Queensland.” She said the announcement showed the Government was “listening to the needs of our region” and delivering on them.

The Growing Regions Program provides funding of between $500,000 and $15 million to local government entities and incorporated not-for-profit organisations for community infrastructure projects in regional, rural and remote Australia (Source: Growing Regions Program – infrastructure.gov.au).

For Hope Vale – home of the Guugu Yimithirr Warra Nation in Cape York – the centre is expected to support digital literacy training, short courses and employment readiness, while improving local access to online services and emerging-industry skills.

More information about the council and community is available via Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council.

Watch: Hope Vale’s Story – What’s your story Cape York? (Apunipima Cape York Health Council)