Bamaga facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bamaga Queensland
Main street of Bamaga
Bamaga Location in Queensland
Population	1,164 (2016 census)
• Density	17.583/km2 (45.54/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4876
Area	66.2 km2 (25.6 sq mi)
Location	2,677 km (1,663 mi) NW of Brisbane 1,019 km (633 mi) N of Cairns
LGA(s)	Northern Peninsula Area Region
State electorate(s)	Cook
Federal Division(s)	Leichhardt
Localities around Bamaga: New Mapoon New Mapoon Somerset New Mapoon Bamaga Somerset Umagico Umagico Somerset

Bamaga ( bam-Ə-gə) is a small town and locality about 40 kilometres (25 mi) from the northern tip of Cape York in the north of Queensland, Australia. It is within the Northern Peninsula Area Region. It is one of the northernmost settlements in continental Australia and is the administrative centre for the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council.

In the 2016 census, Bamaga had a population of 1,164 people, of whom 957 (82.4%) identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

History

The original site for the township of Bamaga was at a site known as "Muttee Heads" some 20 kilometres (12 mi) south of the present Bamaga township. The present site was established after World War II by people from Saibai Island in Torres Strait, after Saibai Island was devastated by abnormally high tides. It is named after Saibai elder Bamaga Ginau, who evisaged the site but died before it was established.

In 1947, the Bamaga township was moved to its present site as a result of a need by the founding people for a larger supply of fresh water. With local industries and the Northern Peninsula Airport (on Urradhi traditional land) Bamaga became the administrative centre for the Northern Peninsula Area, which was made up of the three Aboriginal communities of Injinoo, Umagico and New Mapoon, and the Islander communities of Seisia and Bamaga. All five are Deed of Grant in Trust — communities with their own community councils.

Bamaga Post Office opened by September 1951.

Bamaga State School opened on 28 January 1964. On 23 March 2005 it was renamed Northern Peninsula Area State College.

Some 20 years later, another community, "New Mapoon", was established. It was set up for the forced relocation of people of "Old Mapoon" community, located some two hours north by road from the township of Weipa for bauxite mining.

Bamaga State High School opened on 30 January 1973 but closed on 9 December 1994.

Geography

All communities except Bamaga and New Mapoon are located on the coastline and the current residents hold a close affiliation with the sea. The current populations are approximately 75% Islander and 20% Aboriginal.

Bamaga and the surrounding communities are located north of the Jardine River which supplies the town water.

Bamaga has an Islander population of approximately 700 people with a further 300 temporary non-islander residents. The Community has reticulated town water, which is pumped from the Jardine River. A new water treatment plant has been constructed recently and Bamaga is fully sewered.

Climate

Bamaga has a tropical savannah climate (Köppen Aw) with constantly high temperatures throughout the year. The dry season runs from early June to late November.

Language

The community languages of Bamaga are Kalaw Kawaw Ya, Brokan (Torres Strait Creole), and English, particularly for education and government business.

Utilities

Electricity supply

There is a local Ergon Energy generator powerhouse at Bamaga which continually supplies 240 volt power to all communities. There are two local Ergon linesman stationed at Bamaga. Most lines are antiquated and subject to breakdowns causing blackouts on occasions.

Powercards are an innovative idea for electricity supply to all residences in the Bamaga area. These are similar to phonecards and are inserted into the powerboards at each residence. The cards are available in $20 or $50 amounts. There are therefore no issue of power bills as responsibility remains with each household to maintain power by the use of the cards.

Water supply

The quality of the town drinking water has improved of late with the introduction of new community reservoirs and the newly completed water treatment plant by Sunwater. The town water is sourced from the Jardine River supply.

Sewerage

Sewerage for all communities except Seisia is by underground sewer. Seisia is proposing to remove all septics in favour of sewer in the coming budgets. Garbage collection is twice weekly (Mon-Thur) and should this not suffice, the local waste depot is only 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) away from the police establishment.

Leisure

Fishing and camping are very popular. A boat and 4WD vehicle would be handy. There is the Bamaga Tavern open Monday-Saturday and Seisia Fishing Club which serves food and drinks on Fridays with live music. There are restaurants at the Seisia Village Resort, Seisia; Resort Bamaga; Loyalty Beach Fishing Lodge, and also Punsand Bay Lodge, Punsand Bay. There are also take-away shops at Seisia, New Mapoon (Loyalty Beach camp ground and local store) and Bamaga communities.

The sporting facilities at Bamaga have undergone a recent facelift and there is now an established Olympic Basketball courts, Volleyball courts & Tennis courts. Football has again emerged as a strong sport in the region and councils have constructed night lighting of the fields for cooler night games. There are five organised football teams in the communities.

To assist sporting ventures in the region, a newly constructed Gymnasium at the Basketball courts will assist with health and training.

There are also established darts, pool and fishing.

Tourism

The adventure of a 4WD trip to Bamaga through very rugged terrain is the main catalyst for tourist activity by road. There are many sights, towns and other points of interest during the journey. Tourist activities whilst at Bamaga include Sight-seeing tours to Thursday Island, Guided fishing and pig hunting tours; bird watching in the nearby Lockerbie Scrub rainforest; visiting World War II aircraft wrecks in the Bamaga area and also at Horn Island (near Thursday Island) and photo shoots at the "Tip of Australia". The area is shrouded in history with culture and war memorabilia.

Muttee Heads is a fishing/camping spot with access to Jardine River mouth and is 30 kilometres (19 mi) west on Cairns road.

Pajinka Wilderness Lodge is 35 kilometres (22 mi) north on Pajinka Road is the most Northerly part of Australia.

Twin Falls/Fruit Bat Falls is 65 kilometres (40 mi) south on the Peninsula Developmental Road to Cairns and a great swimming spot.

Punsand Bay Resort is a great camping spot some 25 kilometres (16 mi) north.

Somerset is 35 kilometres (22 mi) north of Bamaga and the historic ruins of the Somerset Homestead. It is a good camping area and day trip for barbecue.

Medical

The Bamaga Hospital has an establishment of three medical officers and nine nursing officers who can capably handle most cases presented. Emergency cases are assessed and patients are either helivaced to Thursday Island Hospital by Australian Helicopters under contract to the Department of Emergency Services or by RFDS to Cairns.

A Queensland Health dentist is employed at the local hospital.

The Bamaga and surrounding communities are also serviced by the Queensland Ambulance Service. The QAS at Bamaga has two permanent officers which are of paramedic standard and have one of the most modern ambulance in use in Queensland today.

Veterinary services are limited but accessible. At present, a visiting veterinary specialist attends the premises of the Torres Shire Council, Thursday Island on a regular basis. Notification is usually in the local newspaper the Torres News. To attend for appointment will necessitate a ferry ride with your pet to Thursday Island. Usually this trip can be completed in the one day unless overnight care for the pet is required. This specialist can also be contacted at her surgery in times of emergency.

Education

Education is provided by Northern Peninusula Area State College. It is made up out of the Bamaga P–7 Campus and Bamaga 7–12 Campus within the Bamaga township and the P–7 Campus which is located in the Injinoo Community.

The standard of schooling is reflective to any found amongst most Aboriginal/Islander communities however in recent years standards have improved. There are now 50+ teachers and teacher aides through all schools.

The Bamaga and New Mapoon Communities have established Child Care Centres for early childhood schooling.

The Cape York Campus, a technical and further education (TAFE) college, has been established at Bamaga. The campus provides a wide range of tutorial courses including seamanship and other courses. The campus is a branch of the Far North College of TAFE situated at Cairns.

Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council operates an Indigenous Knowledge Centre at HACC Centre Building in Adidi Street, Bamaga.