Nepabunna, South Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nepabunna South Australia
Nepabunna Location in South Australia
Established	1998
Area	76.37 km2 (29.5 sq mi)
Mayor	Ian Johnson
Council seat	Nepabunna
Region	Far North
State electorate(s)	Flinders
Federal Division(s)	Grey

Nepabunna, also known as Nipapanha, is a small community in the northern Flinders Ranges in north-eastern South Australia. It is about 600 kilometers (370 miles) north of Adelaide. This community is located west of the Gammon Ranges. The Adnyamathanha people are the traditional owners of this land.

Nepabunna started as the Nepabunna Mission in 1931. In 1998, it became a local government area (LGA) called the Nepabunna Community Council. Within this area, Iga Warta is a separate business focused on cultural tourism. The Nipabanha Community Aboriginal Corporation manages an Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) called Nantawarrina. This land was once a farm for animals.

In the 2016 Australian census, Nepabunna had 66 people living there. You can reach Nepabunna by using the main road that connects Copley to Balcanoona.

History of Nepabunna

The community of Nepabunna began to take charge of their land in the early 1990s. At that time, the land known as 'Nantawarrina' was in poor condition. Too many farm animals and wild animals were eating the plants. Also, visitors were causing damage. This led to serious harm to the environment.

The Nepabunna community was worried about their land. They decided to start programs to fix these problems. They planted many trees. They also started bigger land management projects. These included controlling wild animals and fixing broken fences. They also watched and managed tourist activities. The community worked to protect endangered species and replant areas that were damaged.

Many groups helped the community with these efforts. These included the Aboriginal Lands Trust, the North Flinders Soil Conservation Board, National Parks and Wildlife - SA, Primary Industries and Resources SA, and Save the Bush.

How Nepabunna is Governed

Aerial view of the Campbell Bald Hill Range, just south of Nepabunna

Nepabunna became a local government area (LGA) in 1998. It is managed by Nepabunna Community Inc. This group has a lease from the Aboriginal Lands Trust that lasts until 2081. The council helps with house repairs and provides local services. They also organize cultural tours and education programs. Each year, they hold a gymkhana and a family day.

Nantawarrina: An Indigenous Protected Area

The Nipabanha Community Aboriginal Corporation looks after the Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) called Nantawarrina. This land was once a farm. It was the very first IPA created in Australia, in 1998.

In the 1980s, over 58,000 hectares (143,000 acres) of Adnyamathanha traditional land was bought. The South Australian Aboriginal Lands Trust (SAALT) bought it from a farmer. At first, it was rented out for grazing animals. But it became clear that the land was too damaged for farming.

Around 1997, the IPA program was just starting. The Adnyamathanha people at Nepabunna were eager to join this new project. Their land would become an IPA. This meant it would be part of Australia's National Reserve System. However, the Nepabunna Community would manage it. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) helped guide the project. The federal government provided money for land management. They also funded the protection of cultural heritage, new buildings, and training for Indigenous rangers.

On August 1, 1998, the area was officially named. It was called the "First Indigenous Protected Area in South Australia, Australia and internationally." This area is next to the southern border of the Gammon Ranges National Park.

Since then, the rangers have done a lot of work. They have replanted native vegetation. They have also helped protect native animals, like the yellow-footed rock wallaby. A program to remove wild animals, especially goats, has been successful. They have built bores (water wells) and set up irrigation systems. An old farm building, Irish Well Hut, has been repaired.

Nantawarrina also offers places for visitors to stay. There are camping sites and a dormitory in a converted building. There are also separate places for women. They provide educational and cultural tours. They also grow bushfoods. It is a great place for people interested in sustainable tourism.

In 2000, Nantawarrina won an award from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It was added to the Global 500 Roll of Honour for Environmental Achievement.

Other groups have also supported this project. These include the North Flinders Soil Conservation Board, National Parks and Wildlife Service (South Australia), Primary Industries and Resources SA, and Save the Bush. Bush Heritage Australia works with the rangers to help watch over the plants and animals in the IPA.

Iga Warta: Cultural Tourism

Iga Warta is a cultural tourism business. It is run independently by Terrence Coulthard and his family. The area is about 1 square kilometer (0.4 square miles). Terrence and his wife Josephine created the first detailed bilingual dictionary of the Adnyamathanha language. This dictionary also describes cultural practices, music, and other parts of Adnyamathanha life.

The name Iga Warta means "native orange." This plant was named Capparis mitchelii by an English botanist in the 1800s.

Population and Culture

In 2011, about 30 people lived permanently in Nepabunna. Older people were encouraging younger ones to come back. They wanted them to learn about their culture. Older adults were teaching traditional ceremonies, like the smoking ceremony. They also taught skills such as making boomerangs by woodcarving. They showed how to find and cook bush tucker in traditional ways. They also shared the dreamtime stories of the Adnyamathanha people.

At the 2006 census, 49 people lived in Nepabunna. This number grew to 66 by the 2016 Census.

Access and Facilities

The Nepabunna community, also spelled Nipapanha, is located just west of the Gammon Ranges. You can get there by using the main road between Copley and Balcanoona.

In 2011, a flag for the Adnyamathanha people was created. It was raised in Nepabunna to celebrate 80 years since the community was established.

Nepabunna has a school called Nepabunna Aboriginal School. There is also a church, Nepabunna Community Church, and a cemetery.