A group of QUT engineering students is traveling to Bentick Island to build much-needed infrastructure:

Five engineering students from Brisbane will travel more than 2000 kilometres to a remote indigenous community in the state’s far north tomorrow to build much-needed sustainable infrastructure.

The Queensland University of Technology students, all members of humanitarian group Engineers Without Borders (EWB), are preparing to depart for Bentinck Island in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Project leader Michael D’Onofrio said the island was a permanent home to just 15 elderly women, renowned for their Aboriginal art, after the former occupants fled years ago.

“The island is the natural homeland of Kaiadilt people but a lack of infrastructure means that the majority live on the larger Mornington Island and visit seasonally,” Mr D’Onofrio said.