Mapoon is situated high in the Cape York Peninsula area, accessible only by 4-wheel drive vehicles. Building predominately in the wet season proved challenging, with all building materials, vehicles and food supplies having to be barged in, due to road closures. The project contract was originally for a package of six, low set design and construct houses for the community. The government extended this to a total of 11 houses after seeing the quality of the design and build as the original houses were being constructed. Consisting of 2, 3 and 4 bedrooms, with some of the houses being adapted for the disabled, these low set timber framed homes were designed with wide overhangs, louvers and large verandas to maximise the breezes during the hot and humid summer months. A large focus on local indigenous participation and training was required to keep this project on track and is a credit to those involved.
