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Bamaga

Coordinates: 10°53′16″S 142°23′20″E / 10.8879°S 142.3888°E / -10.8879; 142.3888 (Bamaga (town centre))
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Bamaga
Queensland
Main street of Bamaga
Bamaga is located in Queensland
Bamaga
Bamaga
Coordinates10°53′16″S 142°23′20″E / 10.8879°S 142.3888°E / -10.8879; 142.3888 (Bamaga (town centre))
Population1,186 (2021 census)[1]
 • Density17.915/km2 (46.40/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4876
Area66.2 km2 (25.6 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
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 (English: /ˈbæməɡə/ BAM-ə-gə, Kalaw Lagaw Ya: [ˈbamaɡa])[2] is an Indigneous 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.[3][4] It is one of the northernmost settlements in continental Australia and is the administrative centre for the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council.

In the 2021 census, the locality of Bamaga had a population of 1,186 people.[1]

History

[edit]

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 envisaged the site but died before it was established.[4]

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.[citation needed]

Bamaga Post Office opened by September 1951.[5]

Bamaga State School opened on 28 January 1964. On 23 March 2005, it was renamed Northern Peninsula Area State College.[6]

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.[7]

Bamaga State High School opened on 30 January 1973, but closed on 9 December 1994.[6][8]

Demographics

[edit]

In the 2006 census, the town of Bamaga had a population of 784 people, of whom 688 (87.8%) identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.[9]

In the 2016 census, the locality of Bamaga had a population of 1,164 people, of whom 957 (82.4%) identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.[10]

In the 2021 census, the locality of Bamaga had a population of 1,186 people, of whom 929 (78.3%) identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.[1]

Geography

[edit]

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

Climate

[edit]
Cape York Post Office, Queensland, Australia
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
371
 
 
30
24
 
 
353
 
 
30
24
 
 
371
 
 
30
24
 
 
256
 
 
30
24
 
 
69
 
 
29
23
 
 
26
 
 
28
22
 
 
20
 
 
28
22
 
 
9.5
 
 
28
22
 
 
6.4
 
 
29
22
 
 
15
 
 
30
23
 
 
57
 
 
31
24
 
 
195
 
 
31
24
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
15
 
 
86
75
 
 
14
 
 
85
75
 
 
15
 
 
85
75
 
 
10
 
 
85
75
 
 
2.7
 
 
84
73
 
 
1
 
 
83
72
 
 
0.8
 
 
82
71
 
 
0.4
 
 
82
71
 
 
0.3
 
 
83
72
 
 
0.6
 
 
86
73
 
 
2.2
 
 
88
75
 
 
7.7
 
 
87
76
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches

Bamaga experiences a tropical savanna climate (Köppen: Aw, Trewartha: Awaa), with hot conditions year-round. There is a wet season from mid-November to mid-May, and a dry season from mid-May to mid-November.

Climate data for Cape York Post Office, Queensland, Australia (1887-1955 normals and extremes); 40 m AMSL
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 29.8
(85.6) 		29.6
(85.3) 		29.6
(85.3) 		29.5
(85.1) 		28.8
(83.8) 		28.1
(82.6) 		27.6
(81.7) 		27.8
(82.0) 		28.5
(83.3) 		29.9
(85.8) 		30.9
(87.6) 		30.8
(87.4) 		29.2
(84.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) 26.9
(80.4) 		26.8
(80.2) 		26.7
(80.1) 		26.6
(79.9) 		25.9
(78.6) 		25.2
(77.4) 		24.6
(76.3) 		24.7
(76.5) 		25.4
(77.7) 		26.4
(79.5) 		27.4
(81.3) 		27.5
(81.5) 		26.2
(79.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 24.0
(75.2) 		23.9
(75.0) 		23.8
(74.8) 		23.7
(74.7) 		23.0
(73.4) 		22.3
(72.1) 		21.5
(70.7) 		21.6
(70.9) 		22.2
(72.0) 		22.9
(73.2) 		23.8
(74.8) 		24.2
(75.6) 		23.1
(73.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 370.6
(14.59) 		352.1
(13.86) 		370.9
(14.60) 		255.5
(10.06) 		69.1
(2.72) 		26.1
(1.03) 		19.7
(0.78) 		9.5
(0.37) 		6.4
(0.25) 		14.9
(0.59) 		56.7
(2.23) 		194.6
(7.66) 		1,746.1
(68.74)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 16.9 15.7 16.3 11.7 7.0 5.7 4.8 3.1 1.6 2.1 4.2 9.0 98.1
Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology (1887-1955 normals and extremes)[11]

Language

[edit]

The community languages of Bamaga are Kalaw Kawaw Ya, Brokan (Torres Strait Creole), and English, particularly for education and government business.[12]

Education

[edit]

Northern Peninsula Area State College is a government primary and secondary (Early Childhood-12) school for boys and girls.[13][14] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 634 students with 69 teachers (68 full-time equivalent) and 34 non-teaching staff (24 full-time equivalent).[15] It includes a special education program.[13] The college has its Bamaga senior campus at Sagaukaz Street (10°53′43″S 142°23′09″E / 10.8952°S 142.3858°E / -10.8952; 142.3858 (Northern Peninsula Area State College - Senior Campus)).[13] Its Bagama junior campus is at Anu Street (10°53′12″S 142°23′24″E / 10.8868°S 142.3901°E / -10.8868; 142.3901 (Northern Peninsula Area College - Bamaga Junior Campus)).[13] The college has a second junior campus in the town of Injinoo.[16]

The Cape York Campus, a technical and further education (TAFE) college, has been established at Bamaga (10°53′43″S 142°23′19″E / 10.8954°S 142.3886°E / -10.8954; 142.3886 (technical college)).[17] The campus provides a wide range of tutorial courses including seamanship and other courses.[18]

Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council operates an Indigenous Knowledge Centre at HACC Centre Building in Adidi Street, Bamaga.[19]

Amenities

[edit]

St Stephen's Catholic Church is in Lui Street. It is within the Thursday Island Parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cairns.[20]

Tourism

[edit]

Muttee Heads is a fishing/camping spot with access to Jardine River mouth and is 30 kilometres (19 mi) west on Cairns road.[21]

Medical

[edit]

The Bamaga Hospital as an establishment has five medical doctors and 14 nurses who can capably handle most cases presented.[22]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Bamaga (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023. Edit this at Wikidata
  2. ^ Macquarie Dictionary, Fourth Edition (2005). Melbourne, The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd. ISBN 1-876429-14-3
  3. ^ "Bamaga – town in Northern Peninsula Area Region (entry 1447)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  4. ^ a b "Bamaga – locality in Northern Peninsula Area Region (entry 46103)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  5. ^ Phoenix Auctions History. "Post Office List". Phoenix Auctions. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  7. ^ "New Mapoon". Queensland Government. 2 March 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  8. ^ "Queensland state school - centre closures" (PDF). Queensland Government. 20 August 2013. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 March 2022. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  9. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Bamaga (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 3 January 2008.
  10. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Bamaga (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 30 October 2018. Edit this at Wikidata
  11. ^ "Cape York Post Office, QLD Climate (1887-1955 normals and extremes)". Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  12. ^ "Bamaga". National Indigenous Australians Agency. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  13. ^ a b c d "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  14. ^ "Northern Peninsula Area State College". Archived from the original on 16 March 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  15. ^ "ACARA School Profile 2018". Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  16. ^ "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  17. ^ "Landmark Areas - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 18 November 2020. Archived from the original on 21 November 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  18. ^ "Northern Peninsula Area". TAFE Queensland. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  19. ^ "Bamaga Indigenous Knowledge Centre". Public Libraries Connect. State Library of Queensland. Archived from the original on 13 December 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  20. ^ "Thursday Island Parish". Roman Catholic Diocese of Cairns. Archived from the original on 18 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  21. ^ "Mutee Head Campground Review". Free to explore. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  22. ^ Queensland Health; https://www.performance.health.qld.gov.au/Hospital/Index/213 Archived 10 July 2020 at the Wayback Machine; Accessed 20200714
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