As discussed in Section 5.1.3 of Volume 1, infrastructure provision is a critical issue for remote Indigenous communities, with many areas lacking even basic services. Improving the delivery of infrastructure to these areas can bring considerable social benefits in terms of access to services and economic opportunities, and is fundamental to the governments' broader agenda of Closing the Gap in Indigenous Disadvantage.
The remote Indigenous communities in Queensland are largely scattered around Cape York and Torres Strait, near the coast to the north and south of Cairns, and in the very north-west of the state near the Gulf of Carpentaria. Many of these communities are very remote, reinforcing the need for considerable investment in essential infrastructure to ensure Indigenous people in these areas have access to services that can support better health, education and employment outcomes in their communities.