Palm Island

Settlement history

The Palm Island settlement was initially established in 1918 after a cyclone destroyed the Hull River settlement near Tully.

Palm Island became known as a penal community where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from other parts of Queensland were forcibly sent. A leper colony was located on nearby Fantome Island. In 1957 Palm Islanders went on strike over working and living conditions. Several were men were expelled from the island for taking strike action.

An elected Aboriginal Council started to manage the affairs of the community under the Community Services (Aborigines) Act 1984. A Deed of Grant in Trust was enacted in October 1986.

Community services

Palm Island's community services include a hospital, ambulance service, women's centre, alcohol and drug rehabilitation centre, Community Development Employment Program (CDEP) and a Police and Citizen's Youth Club. There is a community school and senior campus to year 12, a Catholic primary school and TAFE.

Law and order is supported by 16 police officers and 4 police liaison officers, a probation and parole service and a community justice group.

State government funding provides emergency support and accommodation, a cell-watch program, child care services and activities for young people.

Palm Island Community Company

The Palm Island Community Company Limited is a partnership between the Palm Island Community, Palm Island Traditional owners, the Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council and the Queensland Government.

The company provides business services to non-government organisations, manages the delivery of social services and provides business advice and support to the community.

More information

• regional office contacts
• alcohol limits
• Quarterly report on key indicators in Queensland's discrete Indigenous communities July-September 2008

Other sites

• Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council

Last reviewed: 18 November 2009

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