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Doomadgee

Location

Northwest Queensland, 100 km inland from the Gulf of Carpentaria, 514 km north of Mount Isa and 141 km west of Burketown. Road access is often cut during the wet season

Area

1863.2 square km (includes 10 permanently occupied outstations)

Population

1181, primarily Gangalidda and Waanyi peoples (traditional owners) plus people from the Gadawa, Lardil, Mingginda and Garawa tribal groupings

Settlement history

The Gangalidda and Waanyi peoples are the main Aboriginal groups who lived in the Doomadgee area before European settlement. The original mission, known as 'Old Doomadgee' was established in 1931, approximately 100 km north of the current township. By 1936 this site was considered unsuitable due to its remoteness and lack of reliable fresh water.

The mission was moved to its present site on the Nicholson River where a number of people were already living. In 1983, the community was gazetted as a Deed of Grant in Trust (DOGIT) community under the Community Services Act.

Community services

Doomadgee-based community services include a hospital, ambulance, health service, child care hub, women's shelter, schooling to year 10 and TAFE.

Law and order is supported by 9 to 10 police officers, a visiting Magistrate's Court and a community justice group. A Probation and Parole office provides sentencing support to visiting judges and magistrates, and supervises and monitors court orders.

State government funding also supports the delivery of youth services, recreation facilities, health and substance abuse programs, youth justice and crime prevention, childcare and family support.

Gulf Aboriginal Development Corporation

A Gulf Communities Agreement, negotiated between the nearby Pasminco Century Mine Ltd, the Queensland Government and native title groups (the Waanyi, Mingginda and Gkuthaarn and Kikatj) established the Gulf Aboriginal Development Corporation. An Aboriginal Benefits Development Trust, funded under the agreement, supports local business initiatives, such as the Doomadgee bakery and roadhouse.

More information

Last reviewed: 21 January 2009