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:
- 1,863.2 square km (includes 10 outstations which are occupied on a permanent basis).
- Population:
- 1,181 - primarily Gangalidda and Waanyi peoples (traditional owners) plus people from the Gadawa, Lardil, Mingginda and Garawa tribal groupings.
History of settlement
The Gangalidda and Waanyi peoples are the main Aboriginal groups who lived in the Doomadgee area prior to European settlement. The original mission, known as ‘Old Doomadgee’ was established in 1931, approximately 100 kilometres 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.
Doomadgee based community services include: hospital, ambulance, health service, child care hub, women’s shelter, schooling to year 10 and TAFE.
Law and order is supported by a police presence of nine to 10 officers, a visiting Magistrate’s Court, Community Justice Group and a Probation and Parole office that provides sentencing support to visiting Judges and Magistrates and supervision 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. An Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program built 12 new houses and the Department of Housing is conducting a pilot program installing factory-built dwellings.
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, assists local business initiatives such as the Doomadgee bakery and roadhouse.
Last updated: 30 June 2008.