|
| |
Town gets a facelift
By Cpl Corinne Boer
Edition 1168, June 14, 2007 |
| |
|
 |
|
| Out with the old: An excavator clears construction waste and rubble from a pre-existing structure as part of an AACAP construction project designed to support Aboriginal communities. Photo by Cpl Mick Gojic |
|
THE remote township of Doomadgee in Far North Queensland has been transformed from a laid back country town into a bustling construction zone with the arrival of 17 Const Sqn.
The dust has not settled in the tiny desert community since the Army contingent arrived for the 2007 Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program (AACAP), which began on May 13.
Over the next few months the sound of dozers, hammers and drilling will fill the air as the town undergoes a mini construction boom.
Maj Niall Piggott, OC AACAP, said the team would be working with the local Aboriginal community on several training and construction projects.
“Housing will be constructed to alleviate overcrowding in the community and our tradesmen will be building four houses,” he said. “On completion, they will then be responsible for project managing the construction of up to another 10 houses.”
AACAP assists isolated communities and is a joint program involving the Army and the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. About 190 personnel will rotate through in teams. 17 Const Sqn will be assisted by different units including 51FNQR – which will mentor some of the indigenous trainees – and a wide range of supporting elements from Army and Air Force.
The contingent also consists of elements from the defence forces of PNG and Tonga.
“We are providing health promotion and training activities within the Doomadgee community,” Maj Piggott said.
He said the troops were happy to be on the ground and were focusing on the job.
Defence Parlia-mentary Secretary Peter Lindsay said the government was providing more than $5 million for AACAP 2007 in addition to the Defence Force contribution of personnel and equipment.
“AACAP is a vital program providing tangible benefits and continues Army’s strong and cooperative association with remote Indigenous communities,” Mr Lindsay said.“AACAP is now in its 11th year, and the work at Doomadgee is the 14th project undertaken by Army.”
|
|
