Mapoon, Queensland

Mapoon Queensland
File:Mapoon-cape-york-queensland-australia.JPG Mapoon beach
Mapoon
Coordinates
Population	263 (2011 census)
• Density	0.496/km2 (1.285/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4874
Area	530 km2 (204.6 sq mi)
LGA(s)	Cook Shire Council, Mapoon Shire Council
State electorate(s)	Cook
Federal Division(s)	Leichhardt

Mapoon Aboriginal Community is located at Port Musgrave, western Cape York in Far North Queensland, Australia. A Presbyterian mission was established at Mapoon in 1891 with the aim of providing education and health services to the Aboriginal people. By 1907, under the Reformatories Act, it was operating as community for local people.

The community differs from many other Cape communities in that the quality government built residences are spread out in bushland along Red Beach Road towards Cullen Point rather than being clustered together. In 2000, the Mapoon Aboriginal community was formally recognised under Deed of Grant in Trust arrangements.

During the wet season from December to April the area is inaccessible except by air and sea.

Population

The 1996 census population of Mapoon was 139. At the 2006 census, Mapoon had a population of 239. At the 2011 Australian Census the town recorded a population of 263 and 90% of the town's population was of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent.

Police raid

In the 1950s the discovery of bauxite on the Western Cape area saw mining leases for large areas given to Comalco and Alcan. The Mission was closed as the government of the day sought to rationalise services for the Cape indigenous people by centralising the services to the Bamaga area. In November 1963, people were forced from their homes by armed police. They were then transported 200 kilometres (120 mi) by ship. The police raid was ordered and overseen by Patrick Killoran, the then director of Aboriginal Affairs in Queensland.

Historical reports suggest that people were forced or tricked to board the barge. It was viewed by local people that the Aboriginal residents' houses were burnt to the ground to prevent the residents returning, however government reports state some houses were burnt due to their dangerous and verminous condition. Many residents were unhappy at Bamaga, at one of the nearby communities now known as New Mapoon. Over the following years, many moved back to (Old) Mapoon and eventually the government provided new housing. The Mapoon Aboriginal Council administers the community affairs with government support.

Facilities

Presently the town has a primary school, nursing station, council office and small shop providing fuel and food. Local people are employed on the Council which as well as providing services for the local community in 2006 won the contract to provide road maintenance for the all-weather 80 kilometres (50 mi) dirt road from the town of Weipa. There is also a productive fishing business, providing mudcrabs to southern markets from the Port Musgrave Bay and Dulhunty and Wenlock rivers.

Camping facilities near the town are found at Cullen Point and Janie Creek. The area is known for excellent fishing and crabbing.

Alcohol Management Plan

An "Alcohol Management Plan" exists in the community, with restrictions on the amount and type of liquor that may be carried on persons or vehicles in the area. This Plan was formulated and requested by the majority of Elders within the community and passed by law by the Government of Queensland into S.168 of the Liquor Act 1992. It is enforced by the Queensland Police based at Weipa.

External links

• University of Queensland: Queensland Places: Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council