Wujal Wujal, Queensland

Wujal Wujal is in northern Queensland, Australia. Wujal Wujal is the name of a relatively small Aboriginal community on the north and south sides of the Bloomfield River. It has an area of 19.94 square kilometres of land. It is located approximately 30 km north of Cape Tribulation and 60 km south of Cooktown. Access to the site is via an unsurfaced track road which is only suitable for four wheel drive vehicles due to the gradient of the terrain and the many streams and rivers that make up the Daintree Drainage Basin which cross the path at very regular intervals. During high waterflow the road is unpassable.

The rare Bloomfield River Cod ("Guyu wajulwajulensis") is found only in the Bloomfield River and is named after this community.

Community

Wujal Wujal was formerly known as the Bloomfield River Mission and the people are Kuku Yalanji. The community has an estimated population of 470 (2001). The community at Wujal Wujal is thought to have existed on the site for thousands of years and is set around the highly sacred waterfalls of Wujal Wujal meaning many falls in the local language.Visitors are warned not to bring any alcohol into the community as part of the Queensland governments aims at tackling aboriginal alcohol abuse. Traffickers of such contraban substances have found themselves paying excessive fines. The government also help the community by giving small one day a week jobs involving community service to try and deter the members away from boredom and therefore alcohol abuse.The community has a small landing strip where light aircraft from the Royal Flying Doctor Service can land and provide a weekly medical service.In 1980 the Aboriginal Council came into being, with the area regaining its traditional name, Wujal Wujal. The community has an Indigenous Knowledge Centre 'Binal Mangka Bayan (which means house of knowing things). The centre provides access to books, magazines and other educational material.

Councillors of Wujal Wujal Community:

*Mayor: Desmond Tayley
*Deputy Mayor: Talita Nandy
*Cr Allister Gibson
*Cr Cedric Friday
*Cr Zelia Gordon
*CEO Peter Opio-Otim

Arup water projects

In work with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC), Arup is partnering with the Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Council north of Cairns to deliver infrastructure and environmental health improvements.

Through this work, Arup has ensured that much needed housing renovations – costing $2.2 million – are delivered effectively and efficiently for the local community.

Arup helped reduce environmental impacts on the Daintree Rainforest by providing an alternative suggestion for water treatment.

Arup has also managed the clean water supply to the community. This involved overseeing a new gravity fed system. The proposed system consisted of a new water intake structure, a pipeline down the face of a waterfall, and a new treatment system.

As Program Manager, Arup reviewed the design and upon further investigation, discovered that construction of the proposed pipeline down the waterfall caused environmental, occupation health and safety, and cost concerns. Allowing for the setback caused by these issues, work continued on the remainder of the new water system.

On completion of the treatment system stage of the project, it was discovered that the quality of the existing water after treatment was excellent, therefore negating the requirement to construct a new pipeline to the waterfall and a new water intake structure.

Realising a $1 million saving for the client, Arup recommended the upgrading of the existing water intake structure instead of the construction of the unnecessary pipeline and new intake structure.

The client accepted this recommendation and besides providing a clean water supply to the remote Wujal Wujal community, Arup also reduced the environmental impact on the World Heritage Daintree Rainforest.

The waterfalls

The waterfalls are of the highest standard of natural beauty and for the community the falls are very sacred. The general public have access only to one waterfall as the other larger falls are only for the eyes of the female members of the community. There have been cases where non-aboriginal women have built a strong relationship with the community and been granted access to the falls however the Aboriginals insist that the other women be naked and coated in a layer of saliva from the aboriginal women.

Tours

Access to most vehicles is limited and only four wheel drive vehicles can travel on the uncoated tracks. Tours are available for those without such transportation in small groups from Cape Tribulation's Ferntree and Coconut Lodge Resorts and are reasonably priced for the wealth of information gained and for the experience of visiting such an exceptional area of natural beauty.

In 2003 the Walker family, one of the family groups of the Kuku Yalanji people, commenced their rainforest tours on their traditional country at Thompson Creek, 6 km south of Wujal Wujal. Guided walks to the Bloomfield Falls have recently been added as another opportunity in their business.

Tourists have the opportunity to spend time with the Walker family, be guided through the rainforest, part of the beautiful World Heritage Rainforest Area and learn about its cultural and traditional significance.

This tour has been described as a "bush walk with a difference" as visitors have the opportunity to listen and talk to the traditional custodians of the area and receive a fascinating insight into the history and the many different uses of plant species for food, medicine and ceremonial purposes.

The Walker family are a very close-knit group of wonderful, warm, friendly people who are committed to creating an exciting future for their children. They have taken a significant step in setting up and progressing their business thus far, and are wonderful role models in setting the stage for future economic development in indigenous communities.

To expand their business further they require funding for the erection of some amenities to serve their business, the community and visitors to the area.

As their tour attracts business from the Bloomfield area, mainly the Bloomfield Wilderness Lodge, the guests come by boat to their Landing Site on the Bloomfield River bank - creating the need for a jetty or ramp.

A boom gate needs to be erected at the access road to the Bloomfield Falls. For so long the Wujal Wujal Community and Yalanji Bama have missed out on benefits from the many visitors that go to Bloomfield Falls.