Ms Rose Chevathun with local police and her grandson who is receiving one of the seats from the Cape Communities Baby Seat Projec, Queensland Police sayt
With the wrap-up of Queensland Road Safety Week yesterday, there is no better time to tell you about the Cape Communities Baby Seat Project that kicked-off in Aurukun last week.
For those who have no clue where to find Aurukun, it’s a 12 hour drive north of Cairns.
The people of Aurukun have access to one main store which sells items such as fruit and vege, grocery items as well as a selection of larger household items.
Kmart Manager at Cairns Central loading up one of nine car seat pallets
Due to the remoteness of the community, purchases have to come in by freight trucks in the dry season, barges that travel around Cape York Peninsula to Aurukun during the wet season or traditional flown-in mail. Access to items such as child restraints can be difficult for some Cape Communities, but very important nonetheless.
Officer in Charge of Aurukun Police, Senior Sergeant Matt Robertson was successful in his 2015 Safer Queensland Community Suncorp Grant for Road Safety and as such has purchased 70 baby seats for newborns to 7-year-olds.
"The Cape Communities Baby Seat Project is a continued program to increase child safety restraint awareness and compliance in remote Cape communities," Senior Sergeant Robertson said.
"We’ve got nine pallets coming in from Cairns and we are very grateful for the support shown from our partners in this project."
Cape Patrol Inspector Paul James said it was great to see this project bearing fruit in time for Queensland Road Safety Week.
"One of the characteristics of many communities is that there is a high rate of children and families are faced with travelling long distances in less than ideal conditions," Inspector James said.
"Being able to provide the community with these seats can genuinely save lives.
"I would encourage local people to protect their children by getting down to the police station and taking advantage of this offer."
The Cape Communities Baby Seat Project and the people of Aurukun are grateful for the support of The Aurukun Shire Council, Suncorp Insurance, Queensland Police Service, Hawkins Transport and K-Mart Cairns.
