Aboriginal Shire of Pormpuraaw facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Aboriginal Shire of Pormpuraaw Queensland
Location within Queensland
Population	611 (2021 census)
• Density	0.13902/km2 (0.3601/sq mi)
Established	1987
Area	4,395 km2 (1,696.9 sq mi)
Mayor	Richard Tarpencha
Council seat	Pormpuraaw, Queensland
Region	Cape York
State electorate(s)	Cook
Federal Division(s)	Leichhardt
Website	Aboriginal Shire of Pormpuraaw
LGAs around Aboriginal Shire of Pormpuraaw: Gulf of Carpentaria Aurukun Cook Gulf of Carpentaria Aboriginal Shire of Pormpuraaw Cook Kowanyama Kowanyama Cook

The Aboriginal Shire of Pormpuraaw is a special local government area located on the western side of the Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, Australia. It is managed under a special agreement called a Deed of Grant in Trust, which means the land is held in trust for the local Aboriginal community. This helps the community manage its own affairs.

In 2021, the Aboriginal Shire of Pormpuraaw had a population of 611 people.

A Look Back: Pormpuraaw's History

The Kuuk Thaayorre Language

The Kuuk Thaayorre language is an Aboriginal language spoken in this area. It's used on the Western Cape York Peninsula, especially around Pormpuraaw (which used to be called Edward River). The land where Thaayorre is spoken includes the Pormpuraaw Community Council area and parts of the Cook Shire Council.

Early Days: Edward River Mission

The area where Pormpuraaw is now was first set up as the Edward River Mission in 1938. Over time, Aboriginal people from nearby traditional lands gradually moved to live at this mission settlement.

In 1967, the Anglican Church found it hard to keep running the mission. So, a government department called the Department of Aboriginal and Islander Affairs took over managing the community.

Becoming a Self-Governing Community

On 28 July 1987, a special agreement called a Deed of Grant in Trust (DOGIT) was given to the community. This meant the community could start managing more of its own matters. Like other DOGIT communities at the time, Pormpuraaw got its own town council. This council was elected by the Aboriginal people living there.

The new Pormpuraaw Council took on the job of looking after the community under the DOGIT agreement. Today, the council has a mayor and four councillors, all elected by the Aboriginal residents for four-year terms.

Who Lives Here? Pormpuraaw's Population

In 2021, the Aboriginal Shire of Pormpuraaw had a population of 611 people.

What Does the Council Do?

Council's Special Role

The Pormpuraaw Shire Council works differently from a typical local government. This is because it manages the land on behalf of the community, rather than under the usual Local Government Act. This means the council has unique responsibilities. For example, it helps manage local fisheries and sets rules for community well-being. It also runs some local businesses.

The Indigenous Knowledge Centre (IKC)

The Pormpuraaw Shire Council also runs an Indigenous Knowledge Centre (IKC) in Pormpuraaw. This IKC was one of the first to open in 2002. The council owns and operates the IKC together with the State Library of Queensland.

In 2019, the council asked the State Library for help to update the IKC. They wanted to make it a more modern library space for the community. The project was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in February 2021, the IKC was reopened and is now used by the community.

Meet the Leaders of Pormpuraaw

Past and Present Mayors

• 2008–2016: Richard Tarpencha
• 2016–2020: Ralph Kendall
• 2020–present: Richard Tarpencha

Your Local Councillors

For 2020, the councillors were: Tim Koo-Aga, George Conrad, Andrea Foote, and Ronald Kingi Jnr.