History
The original site for the township of Bamaga was at a site known as " Muttee Heads" some south of the present Bamaga township. The present site was established after World War II by people from Saibai Island in Torres Strait, after Saibai Island was devastated by abnormally high tides. It is named after Saibai elder Bamaga Ginau, who envisaged the site but died before it was established. In 1947, the Bamaga township was moved to its present site as a result of a need by the founding people for a larger supply of fresh water. With local industries and theGeography
All communities, except Bamaga and New Mapoon, are located on the coastline, and the current residents hold a close affiliation with the sea. The current populations are approximately 75% Islander and 20% Aboriginal. Bamaga and the surrounding communities are located north of the Jardine River which supplies the town water. Bamaga has an Islander population of approximately 700 people with a further 300 temporary non-islander residents. The Community has reticulated town water, which is pumped from the Jardine River. A new water treatment plant has been constructed recently and Bamaga is fully sewered.Climate
Bamaga experiences a tropical savanna climate ( Köppen: ''Aw'',Language
The community languages of Bamaga are Kalaw Kawaw Ya, Brokan (Torres Strait Creole), and English, particularly for education and government business.Industry
All of Bamaga's internal and main roads are sealed. The major industry is tourism mainly during the drier months of the year. This runs from May – October (The Developmental Road is impassable during the wet season and the ferry across the Jardine River does not operate). The community owns Resort Bamaga, an accommodation house for corporate visitors. There is some cattle production, small business retailing and a concrete batching plant. Bamaga Island Council is the biggest employer with 200 staff. Modern supermarkets can be found at Seisia and Umagico. There is a community pharmacy, general merchandise/clothing store, a video store, Post Office, Service Station/workshop, snack bar, pub and bakery in Bamaga as well as an Anglican church store and thrift shop.Education
Northern Peninsula Area State College is a government primary and secondary (Early Childhood-12) school for boys and girls. In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 634 students with 69 teachers (68 full-time equivalent) and 34 non-teaching staff (24 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program. The college has its Bamaga senior campus at Sagaukaz Street (). Its Bagama junior campus is at Anu Street (). The college has a second junior campus in the town of Injinoo. The Bamaga and New Mapoon Communities have established Child Care Centres for early childhood schooling. The Cape York Campus, a technical and further education (TAFE) college, has been established at Bamaga (). The campus provides a wide range of tutorial courses including seamanship and other courses.Utilities
Electricity supply
Bamaga and neighboring communities have a 240 volt power supply generated from the Ergon Energy stand-alone diesel power station at Bamaga. There are two local linesman stationed at Bamaga. Most lines are antiquated and subject to breakdowns causing blackouts on occasions. Residents purchase electricity through pre-paid Powercards, which are similar to phonecards and are available in $20 or $50 amounts. Powercards are inserted into the switchboards at the residence.Water supply
The quality of the town drinking water has improved of late with the introduction of new community reservoirs and the newly completed water treatment plant by Sunwater. The town water is sourced from the Jardine River supply.Sewerage
Sewerage for all communities except Seisia is by underground sewer. Seisia is proposing to remove all septics in favour of sewer in the coming budgets. Garbage collection is twice weekly (Mon-Thur) and should this not suffice, the local waste depot is only away from the police establishment.Amenities
Fishing and camping are very popular. A boat and 4WD vehicle would be handy. There is the Bamaga Tavern open Monday-Saturday and Seisia Fishing Club which serves food and drinks on Fridays with live music. There are restaurants at the Seisia Village Resort, Seisia; Resort Bamaga; Loyalty Beach Fishing Lodge, and also Punsand Bay Lodge, Punsand Bay. There are also take-away shops at Seisia, New Mapoon (Loyalty Beach camp ground and local store) and Bamaga communities. The sporting facilities at Bamaga have undergone a recent facelift and there are now established Olympic Basketball courts, Volleyball courts & Tennis courts. Football has again emerged as a strong sport in the region and councils have constructed night lighting of the fields for cooler night games. There are five organised football teams in the communities. To assist sporting ventures in the region, a newly constructed Gymnasium at the Basketball courts will assist with health and training. There are also established darts, pool and fishing. St Stephen's Catholic Church is in Lui Street. It is within the Thursday Island Parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cairns.Tourism
The adventure of a 4WD trip to Bamaga through very rugged terrain is the main catalyst for tourist activity by road. There are many sights, towns and other points of interest during the journey. Tourist activities whilst at Bamaga include Sight-seeing tours to Thursday Island, Guided fishing and pig hunting tours; bird watching in the nearbyMedical
The Bamaga Hospital as an establishment has five medical doctors and 14 nurses who can capably handle most cases presented.Queensland Health; http://www.performance.health.qld.gov.au/Hospital/Index/213 ; Accessed 20200714 Emergency cases are assessed and patients are eitherGovernment departments
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources' Biosecurity Service (formerly the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service) has a base in Bamaga.Shopping and fuel
The Bamaga township has one major supermarket/variety store which is operated by the Islander Board of Industry and Service. The IBIS services most islands through the Torres Strait. The store at Bamaga is air-conditioned and has a comparable food line with major retailers in Cairns. The store does have frozen meat from Cairns butchers. The Bamaga and surrounding communities are serviced by Sea Swift twice weekly. Freight charges are minimal and delivery is to the door. Air-conditioned supermarkets are also at Seisia and Umagico Communities. The Seisia Meatworks has recently commenced operation which provides a range of meat products. Meat is sourced locally as well as grain fed regions such as Atherton Tablelands and Gympie. Fresh produce is delivered by shipping companies and available twice weekly (Monday and Thursday). A local clothing store has limited lines of clothing and some lines of haberdashery. There is no local hairdresser however there are some on Thursday Island. There are three service stations located at Bamaga, Seisia and Injinoo. Diesel and unleaded petrol are available. Mechanical services are also available at various locations in the Community.See also
* Torres Strait IslandersReferences
External links
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