To further solidify our understanding of the issues that the local Aboriginal community experiences we undertaken an empathise process. We did by imagining ourselves as a local Aboriginal community member in Cape York and try to think of both the surface needs and deeper needs.

Surface needs included:

• Better road access,
• Increase accessibility to doctors and medication,
• Better infrastructures such as hospitals and schools and
• Safe drinking water from bore-wells and rivers.

Deeper needs included:

• Preservation of both social and cultural heritage,
• Continuous generational improvement to education, employment and lifestyle,
• Mutual understanding of both indigenous and non-indigenous community and
• Continuation of traditional dances, hunting and fishing.

Our group became aware of the deeper impact of not having access to basic needs such as clean water, education and employment identified in the discovery phase had on the community of Cape York. Fresh water and access are the cornerstone of any community, especially communities in Cape York that are so isolated from the urban centres. Without access to these basic physical needs Indigenous people are unable to remain and thrive on country. We therefore sort to find design solutions that will alleviate the difficulties that the Aboriginal community faces in Cape York and allow them to continue their traditional activities.