Brukunga facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BrukungaSouth Australia |
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Western entrance to Brukunga
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 Brukunga
Location in South Australia
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| Established | 1952 |
| Postcode(s) | 5252 |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | District Council of Mount Barker |
| State electorate(s) | Kavel |
| Federal Division(s) | Mayo |
Brukunga is a small town found in the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia. It is located about 40 kilometres (25 miles) east of Adelaide, the capital city. The town is also just 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) north of Nairne.
Contents
Discovering Brukunga's Past
What's in a Name?
The name Brukunga comes from an old local word, Barrukungga. This word, from the Peramangk or Kaurna language, means "place of fire stone" or "place of hidden fire." It is linked to Tjilbruke, a very important ancestor for the Kaurna people. Stories say that Tjilbruke's body turned into a rock formation of iron pyrite in this area. Iron pyrite is a mineral also known as "fool's gold." Local Aboriginal people knew how to use iron pyrite with flint to make fire. They collected it from places like the area near Nairne.
The Brukunga Mine Story
From 1955 to 1972, a mine operated near Brukunga. It was first called the Nairne Pyrite Mine, then later the Brukunga Mine. Workers dug up iron sulfides, mostly pyrite, from the ground. This mineral was then sent to Port Adelaide. There, it was used to make sulphuric acid. Sulphuric acid is a key ingredient for creating superphosphate fertiliser, which helps plants grow.
Cleaning Up the Mine Site
After the mine closed, a problem arose. The exposed rock and waste piles from the mine contained pyrite. When pyrite mixes with air and water, it creates acid mine drainage. This is acidic water that can contain high levels of metals like cadmium. This acidic water flowed into a nearby creek, called Dawesley Creek. In 1998, health warnings were issued because of the polluted water.
Since 1980, a big effort has been made to clean up the mine site. A special plant was built to treat the acid water. This plant uses lime to make the water less acidic before it flows into the creek. This helps protect the environment. Also, since 1988, new plants and trees have been grown on the mine site. This helps to bring the land back to life.
Life in Brukunga Today
Population and Community
According to the 2016 Australian census, Brukunga had a population of 433 people. It is a small but active community.
Important Services
Brukunga is home to some important facilities. It has the main training centre for the Country Fire Service. This is where firefighters learn important skills to protect communities. The town also has the Claremont Airbase. Since 2016, this airbase has been the main place for aerial firefighting planes to operate from. These planes help fight bushfires from the air.
