Mobiles Connected: What It Means for the Yarrabah Community

In the heart of Gunggandji country, nestled in Far North Queensland, lies the vibrant community of Yarrabah. Despite being just 10km from Cairns, this picturesque region, where the rainforest meets the reef, has long struggled with mobile connectivity due to its hilly and undulating landscape.

To address the connectivity issues, Optus commissioned Indara to acquire and build a telecommunications tower, reinforcing the strong partnership between the two companies in delivering essential infrastructure. The project was made possible by funding from the Australian Government under Round 4 of the Mobile Black Spot Program (MBSP) along with contributions from the Queensland Government, and Optus.

Through this collaboration, Yarrabah has taken a major step forward in bridging the digital divide.

A community-driven project

This new macro cell base station at Yarrabah South is delivering enhanced 4G mobile coverage, improving connectivity for residents, businesses, and visitors. Beyond enabling daily communication, the enhanced coverage supports public safety communications during emergencies and natural disasters - a critical benefit for the region.

A project of this scale required extensive community engagement and collaboration. Indara worked closely with the Registered Native Title Body Corporate (RNTBC) and Traditional Owners to secure land approvals before construction, ensuring the site was developed with respect for the local community’s needs and cultural heritage.

Why this matters

Jason Horley, Executive Director of Customer & Growth at Indara, highlights the significance of this project: "One of Indara’s key objectives is accelerating the delivery of high-quality connectivity to communities across Australia. This new site at Yarrabah is helping us achieve that by benefiting education, healthcare, local businesses, and strengthening the social networks that are so important in a community like Yarrabah."

Healthcare access

Suzanne Andrews, CEO of Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service Aboriginal Corporation, underscores the critical role of connectivity in healthcare:"It's really important, particularly from a health point of view, when you need this type of connectivity, especially for emergencies."

Education & social connections

Alicia Hari, Chairperson of Gunggandji Aboriginal Corporation, shares a personal perspective: "As a mother of four kids, I've seen firsthand how being able to use the internet and mobile devices has helped us stay connected."

Business & economic growth

Dave Morrissey, General Manager - North Queensland at Optus, notes the wide-ranging benefits: "It allows people to use the mobile network to stay connected with family and loved ones. Businesses can now operate more efficiently, use EFTPOS facilities, and access digital services like telehealth and online banking, things people in metropolitan areas take for granted."

The importance of collaboration for impactful results

The Yarrabah community’s journey to improved connectivity is a powerful example of government and industry working together to deliver real benefits to regional and remote areas.

As Michael Sands, Deputy Mayor of Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council, puts it: "At the end of the day, the whole community benefits from what they did and what they contributed. So, it all, to me, is a big boost for Yarrabah."

Hear their story.