It is one of Australia's most isolated Aboriginal communities.
But Mornington Island is grappling with the same youth crime crisis that is increasing in towns and cities across the country.
Last year was the island's worst year on record for assault and unlawful motor vehicle use, while unlawful entry to properties increased, Queensland Police data shows.
Mornington Shire Council Mayor Kyle Yanner said the community was "fed up with government services that have completely failed" on the island.
After a recent spike in youth crime, two community meetings were held where it was decided residents would "take control of the situation" and implement Indigenous-led solutions.
Cultural discipline over youth detention
Mr Yanner said a major issue was the impact of youth detention centres on young offenders from Mornington Island.
He said correctional facilities exposed young people even further to criminal techniques and behaviours that they then brought back to the community.
"What we are finding is that youth detention centres are like a university for criminals to evolve," he said.
During recent meetings, the Mornington Island community decided it would reinstate traditional forms of discipline in partnership with the council and local court.
"We've lost our right to discipline our children in line with our traditional lore and our ways of raising our children are not recognised in the Australian system," Mr Yanner said.
He said he hoped the launch of new on-country programs would allow the Indigenous community to "go back to the traditional ways of our lore as much as we can within the current systems".
The on-country programs would involve bush camps where young offenders and their families were taken out bush by Aboriginal leaders.
"That will involve setting boundaries and teaching basic principles and morals but also working them hard throughout the day and rewarding progress in the form of activities out on country like fishing," Mr Yanner said.
"Most of our kids have lost their culture, they don't know their skin names, they don't know their totems.
"An on-country program helps them learn about their family lines and gives them purpose and connection."
He said $850,000 in government funding received by the Mornington Shire Council in August through the Indigenous Advancement Strategy could fund the program.
"We've already got the money to back this so we can make it consistent," he said.
Poor quality of life
Mr Yanner said implementing effective disciplinary methods was just one part of the solution.
Improving quality of life for families was another major aspect discussed at the community meetings.
"We've got no facilities here to cater to these kids … they're bored and they're screaming for attention," Mr Yanner said.
"And the alcohol restrictions mean their parents are addicted to home brew."
Mr Yanner said he would continue to lobby the government for better facilities, housing, and healthcare services on the island.
"Our proposals are still getting rejected by the government but improving the quality of life here is crucial for the health and prosperity of this community and the future of our kids, so that is something I will continue to do," he said.
