Kowanyama

Location

Kowanyama, a remote community of about 1100 people, is on the western side of Cape York Peninsula, immediately south of Pormpuraaw Shire. It is due west of Cooktown and 30 km in from the coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria.

North of the community there is the Mitchell River Delta, and Kowanyama is an Aboriginal word describing the 'many waters' of the delta.

East of Kowanyama there is Mitchell and Alice Rivers National Park (37,100 ha), a remote wilderness area.

Location

In 1905 an Anglican Aboriginal mission was established on Topsy Creek, south of Kowanyama, but 14 years later it was moved northwards to Mitchell River. Badly damaged by a cyclone in 1964, the rebuilt mission was transferred to the Queensland Department of Aboriginal and Islander Affairs in 1967.

In 1987 a deed of grant in trust (DOGIT), comprising 250 sq km of land, was made in favour of the local people, and four years later they established a Land and Natural Resources management office to more effectively control the use of their environment. Several groups returned to their homelands once the community was established on a more secure basis.

Restrictions

Important restrictions on the type and quantity of liquor that can be brought into various remote indigenous communities have been gradually implemented in Queensland.

Alcohol Management Plans have been developed by Community Justice Groups and contain recommendations for declaring all or part of a community area either a 'Restricted Area' and/or a 'Dry Place'.

People who live in, or are planning to visit, travel through or pass near a community which they feel may have restrictions should ensure they are aware of the laws. Bag checks can and will happen and severe fines apply if people are caught.

For detailed information by community visit the Queensland Government Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation website.

Accommodation

There is a Guest House located along Chapman Road, opposite Kowanyama's General Retail Store, in close vicinity to the Kowanyama Community Council's administration building.

Primary Health Care Centre

The service is a Primary Health Care Centre. After hours is covered by Registered nurses on an on call basis. There are 2 medical officers who work on a month in month out basis.

In an emergency, the on-site medical officers make themselves available even when nominally off duty.

Phone:

(07) 4060 5133

Opening Hours:

Monday to Friday 8:00am–5:00pm
Saturday and Sunday 8:00am–12:00pm

After Hours:

Monday 8:00am to Sunday 12:00pm medical officers are on-call after hours
Sunday 12:00pm to Monday 8:00am clinic is covered by telephone consultation by medical officer at the RFDS base in Cairns

Shopping

Kowanyama has a small supermarket that sells fresh foods, packaged and frozen foods, and hardware items. The store is similar to a medium sized IGA store. The store is operated by DATSIP, and the manager is able to obtain any goods that are not normally kept for sale. The store prices are somewhat higher than provincial towns, which reflect the high costs of transport and storage.

The coffee shop (alas does not sell coffee) Operated by the Anglican Church, a fully air-conditioned Coffee Shop stocks take away food, entertainment media and small goods.

Other Services Available

• Store (food and general items)
• Post Office
• Primary School
• Multi Purpose Sporting Centre

For more information contact the Kowanyama Aboriginal Council:

Phone:

(07) 4060 5155

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