47-523: Weipa ( / w iː p ə / ) is a coastal mining town in the local government area of Weipa Town in Queensland . It is one of the largest towns on the Cape York Peninsula . It exists because of the enormous bauxite deposits along the coast. The Port of Weipa is mainly involved in exports of bauxite. There are also shipments of live cattle from the port. In the 2021 census , the town of Weipa had
94-509: A Citizens Advisory Committee to assist in the administration of the town. In 1997 the committee evolved into the present Weipa Town Authority. Weipa Town was included in the Shire of Cook for census purposes until its first census reporting in 2006. In the 2006 census , the Weipa Town had a population of 2,830 people. In the 2011 census , the Weipa Town had a population of 3,334 people. In
141-522: A mission at the junction of Embley River and Spring Creek which he called Weipa, which is believed to derive from the Anhathangayth word meaning "fighting ground". In 1932 the mission relocated approximately 28 kilometres (17 mi) to Jessica Point, continuing under the same name, Weipa Mission. Very restrictive legislation was enacted by the state of Queensland in 1911, making the Protector of Aborigines
188-507: A narrow connecting road to the harbour area ( 12°39′45″S 141°51′03″E / 12.6625°S 141.8507°E / -12.6625; 141.8507 ( Weipa Town (harbour area) ) ). The second area ( 12°40′53″S 141°55′30″E / 12.6814°S 141.9250°E / -12.6814; 141.9250 ( Weipa Town (airport area) ) ) covers the Weipa Airport . Having been excised from Shire of Cook, Weipa Town
235-618: A population of 4,097 people. Weipa is on the western coast of the Cape York Peninsula facing the Gulf of Carpentaria . Weipa is just south of Duyfken Point , which was named by Matthew Flinders on 8 November 1802 after the ship Duyfken commanded by the Dutch explorer Willem Janszoon . It is claimed that Janszoon was the first European to sight the Australian coast in the Gulf of Carpentaria in 1606, 164 years before Lieutenant James Cook sailed up
282-604: A population of 830 people, of whom 778 (93.7%) were Indigenous Australians. In the 2016 census , the town of Napranum had a population of 950 people, or whom 907 (95.45%) were Indigenous Australians. In the 2021 census , the town of Napranum had a population of 716 Indigenous Australians. There are no schools in Napranum. The nearest government primary and secondary school is the Weipa campus of Western Cape College in Rocky Point to
329-538: A true local government authority . The three options under discussion were to make Weipa Town a normal local government authority with its present boundaries, to absorb Weipa Town back into the Shire of Cook, or to create a new Western Cape Region centred on Weipa. Napranum, Queensland Napranum is a remote town in the locality of Mission River in the Aboriginal Shire of Napranum , Queensland , Australia. In
376-452: A visitor's centre, swimming pool, bowling green, golf club, tennis and squash courts. There are netball and basketball courts as well as football fields. Weipa Town Authority operates a public library at Hibberd Drive in Weipa. At Nanum the shopping precinct has a Woolworths supermarket, bakery, coffee shop, travel agent, clothing shop, post office, newsagency / sports shop and butchers. There
423-413: Is 1,968.5 mm (77.50 in), and the highest daily rainfall recorded was 356.0 millimetres (14.02 in) during the passage of Tropical Cyclone Oswald on 23 January 2013. Extreme temperatures have ranged from 9.6 °C (49.3 °F) on 3 August 1990 to 40.1 °C (104.2 °F) on 29 October 2022. While most climate data was taken from Weipa Airport , extreme temperatures were combined from
470-618: Is a gazetted local government area and the Weipa Town Authority undertakes the duties of a typical local government, such as: Services provided by the authority include road maintenance, water supply, garbage collection, parks, sports ovals, and public swimming pools. The authority provides the Hibberd Library in Hibberd Drive, Rocky Point . However, the Weipa Town Authority is not a true local government authority as defined in
517-565: Is also a chemist, camping and fishing store and within walking distance is a gift shop, furniture and whitegoods store, credit union and government social security office. At Evans Landing there are a hardware store and a number of mechanical workshops. St Joseph's Catholic Church is on Boundary Road at Rocky Point. It is within the Weipa Parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cairns . A number of well-known sporting clubs represent
SECTION 10
#1732852500576564-406: Is an Australian Aboriginal language spoken on Yupanguthi country. The Yupanguthi language region includes the landscape within the local government boundaries of the landscape within the local government boundaries of the Shire of Cook and Weipa Region. Kugu Yi'anh is a language of Cape York. The traditional language area of Kugu Yi'anh includes landscape within the local government boundaries of
611-725: Is characterised by high humidity, warm nights and heavy downpours; as well as occasional monsoonal lows and tropical cyclones . The dry season , running from May to September, features hot and dry days, cooler nights and little rainfall. The build-up season, running from October to December, is oppressively hot and humid, with frequent days over 35.0 °C (95.0 °F), with infrequent, heavy downpours associated with severe thunderstorms . Temperatures remain hot year-round, with average maxima ranging from 31.1 °C (88.0 °F) in July to 35.9 °C (96.6 °F) in November. Average annual rainfall
658-739: Is made) and to a lesser extent, tungsten . In 1964, the Queensland Education Department provided the teacher for the school instead of the Mission Board. Around this time, it was named Weipa Provisional School. In 1966 it was renamed Weipa South State School, then in 1976, the Jessica Point State School. On 1 January 2002 it become the Napranum Campus of the Western Cape College. The campus closed in 2005 with
705-574: Is still surrounded by the Shire. However, the Napranum Aboriginal Shire (formerly known as the town of Weipa South) and Shire of Aurukun (also excised from Shire of Cook) are very close by and, although also split in a number of disconnected areas are effectively neighbouring local government areas. Weipa is the only town in this local government area. The residential area of Weipa comprises three localities; from north to south, they are Rocky Point , Trunding , and Nanum . The harbour area
752-462: Is within the locality of Evans Landing . The airport area is the locality of Weipa Airport . While Rio Tinto (formerly Comalco) remains responsible for the administration of the town, it discharges this obligation through the Weipa Town Authority. The Authority has seven members: four elected by the residents, two appointed by Rio Tinto , and one appointed by the Alngith indigenous people. Weipa Town
799-494: The 2016 census , the Weipa Town had a population of 3,905 people. In the 2021 census , the Weipa Town had a population of 4,100 people. Unlike most local government areas in Queensland, Weipa Town consists of two disconnected areas. The first covers the town of Weipa ( 12°37′47″S 141°52′41″E / 12.6298°S 141.8781°E / -12.6298; 141.8781 ( Weipa Town (residential area) ) ) with
846-477: The 2021 census , the Weipa Town had a population of 4,100 people. In 1955, New Zealand geologist Harry Evans discovered bauxite (the raw material used to make aluminium ) on the western coast of Cape York Peninsula while he was exploring for oil. Further surveys established it was the largest bauxite deposit in the world. In November 1957, the Queensland Government approved a £50 million project of
893-470: The 2021 census , the town of Napranum had a population of 716 Indigenous Australians . Napranum is a compound word made from two languages of the local area. "Nap" ( Trotj language) pronounced "naap", meaning "meeting place" and "pranum" ( Thaynakwith language) meaning "meeting of people". In combination, Napranum means "meeting place of the people". Napranum is on the western coast of Cape York Peninsula in remote Far North Queensland , adjacent to
940-560: The Peppan people , originally located to the east of Napranum, were granted freehold title to former Aboriginal reserve land, which had been leased to the Commonwealth for the construction of Scherger Air Force Base . This was the first real compensation to the people of Napranum for use of their land. In 1995 a major industrial dispute occurred between Comalco and its workforce to maintain union coverage, pay and conditions. On 1 January 2005,
987-546: The British Australian Consolidated Zinc group to develop a bauxite mine on the Cape York Peninsula to be operated by its newly created subsidiary, Commonwealth Aluminium Corporation Pty. Limited (from 1960 known as Comalco ). As part of the agreement, the government passed legislation to enable a town, harbour and treatment works to be established at the company's expense at Kumrunja (Rocky Point) on
SECTION 20
#17328525005761034-507: The Cook Shire. Kugu Nganchara (also known as Wik, Wiknantjara, Wik Nganychara, Wik Ngencherr. See also related Wik languages) is a traditional language of the area which includes the landscape within the local government boundaries of the Cook Shire . Kugu Muminh (also known as Kuku-Muminh. See also related Wik languages) is one of the traditional languages which includes the landscape within
1081-602: The Jessica Point village at a cost of £150,000. By the time building began in 1965, it became clear that funding was inadequate to build houses for the whole community, which contributed towards the Presbyterian Church's decision to hand over responsibility for the mission to the Queensland Government . The community became known as Weipa South after this. The Weipa Parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cairns
1128-522: The Local Government Act (2009) because it is part of a corporation. This has implications in relation to loan and budget requirements, Goods and Services Tax on rates, the development of land, and changes to the town boundaries. Unlike other local governments in Queensland, the Weipa Town Authority has a chairman rather than a mayor. In 2017, the chairman is Michael Rowland. In 2016, discussions took place in regard to "normalising" Weipa Town into
1175-558: The Napranum Aboriginal Council became the Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council . In the 2016 census , the town of Weipa had a population of 3,899 people. In the 2021 census , the town of Weipa had a population of 4,097 people. Weipa has a tropical savanna climate ( Köppen: Aw), with three distinct seasons; which vary in their intensity and duration. The wet season , which runs from January to April,
1222-500: The Protector's judgement, they were guilty of neglect of duty, gross insubordination or wilful preaching of disobedience. It also gave powers to the police to confine Aborigines to reserves to "protect them from corruption". This latter power was used by Comalco in 1957 to justify the removal of Weipa Aboriginal people. In 1932, the community had to relocate to its present site, at Jessica Point , because of malaria . At this time most of
1269-401: The boundaries of any reserve or Aboriginal institution, or be removed from one reserve or institution and kept herein. It was noted the only other people treated like this were criminals and the insane. The Protector was also given the right to confine (or expel) any such person within any reserve or Aboriginal institution, and the right to imprison any Aborigine or half-caste for 14 days if, in
1316-422: The east coast of Australia. The town consists of three residential suburbs, Rocky Point , Trunding , and Nanum , in addition to the industrial suburb of Evans Landing ; these suburbs are contiguous. The town also includes the suburb of Weipa Airport which is not connected to the other suburbs and contains the town's airport . Yupanguthi (Yuputhimri, Jupangati, Yupangathi, Nggerikudi, Yupungati, Jupangati)
1363-421: The legal guardian of every Aboriginal and part-Aboriginal child (until he/she was 21), and the right to confine (or expel) any such person within any Aboriginal reserve or institution, and the right to imprison any Aboriginal or part-Aboriginal person for 14 days if, in the Protector's judgement, they were guilty of neglect of duty, gross insubordination or wilful preaching of disobedience. It also gave powers to
1410-479: The local area, including Carpentaria Golf Club, Weipa BMX Club, Weipa Bowls Club, weipa Darts Club, Weipa Squash Club, Weipa Tennis Club and Snooker club Weipa RLFC and Weipa Cricket Club who play home games at Andoom Oval. Weipa Fishing Classic and Weipa Rodeo Association Weipa Town Weipa Town is a local government area in Far North Queensland , Australia . It covers the town of Weipa on
1457-494: The local government boundaries of the Cook Shire . Thaynakwith (also known as Awngthim, Tainikuit and Winduwinda) is an Australian Aboriginal language spoken on Western Cape York in the Weipa area taking in Albatross Bay and Mission River . The language region includes areas within the local government boundaries of Weipa Town Council and Cook Shire . In 1895, Presbyterian missionary Reverend Nicholas John Hey established
Weipa - Misplaced Pages Continue
1504-623: The north. A police citizens youth club was opened in 2019 on Napranum Road. Napranum has the Mary Ann Coconut Library (an Indigenous Knowledge Centre (IKC)) at 320 Wa-Tyne Street, Weipa, operated by the Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council. It is named in honour of a respected elder, and was officially opened as part of the Napranum Civic Centre Opening on 28 October 2015. It was relocated to
1551-472: The older Eastern Ave and newer Airport weather stations (1959-2024). The present town was constructed mainly by Comalco (now called Rio Tinto ), a large aluminium company, which began making trial shipments of bauxite to Japan in 1962. A railway was constructed to transport the ore from the mine at Andoom to the export facility at Lorim Point. Weipa bauxite mine is among the world's largest. Using figures from 2006, Reuters reported that it ranked third in
1598-509: The ore from which aluminium is made – and to a lesser extent tungsten . The " Comalco Act 1957 " revoked the reserve status, giving the company 5,760 square kilometres (2,220 sq mi) of Aboriginal reserve land on the west coast of the Peninsula and 5,135 square kilometres (1,983 sq mi) on the east coast of Aboriginal-owned (though not reserve) land. Mining commenced in 1960. In 1962, residents accepted Comalco's offer to rebuild
1645-560: The people were Awngthim but soon different tribes and clans and other communities were forcibly removed from Old Mapoon . To prevent the spread of malaria, the Old Mapoon settlement was burnt down on 15 November 1963. In 1955 a geologist, Henry Evans (1912–1990), discovered that the red cliffs on the Aboriginal reserve , previously remarked on by the early Dutch explorers and Matthew Flinders , were actually enormous deposits of bauxite –
1692-522: The people were Awngthim but soon different tribes and clans were brought from Old Mapoon (when the people were forcibly removed and the settlement burnt down on 15 November 1963), and other communities. In 1955, a geologist, Henry Evans (1912–1990), discovered that the red cliffs on the Aboriginal reserve, previously remarked on by the early Dutch explorers and Matthew Flinders , were actually enormous deposits of bauxite (the ore from which aluminium
1739-406: The police to confine Aboriginal people to reserves to "protect them from corruption". This latter power was given by Comalco in 1957 to justify the removal of Weipa Aboriginal people. In 1932, the community had to relocate to its present site, at Jessica Point now called Napranum because of malaria . It is about 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) south of the present town of Weipa. At this time most of
1786-523: The school had an enrolment of 1,073 students with 93 teachers (90 full-time equivalent). St Joseph's Parish School is a Roman Catholic co-educational primary school at 2 Boundary Road, Rocky Point ( 12°37′45″S 141°52′49″E / 12.6293°S 141.8802°E / -12.6293; 141.8802 ( St Joseph's Parish School, Weipa ) ). Opened in 2016, the school only offered enrolment in years P–3 but expected to be able to offer enrollment across all primary levels (P–6) in 2018. Weipa has
1833-716: The south side of the Mission River . Under the Commonwealth Aluminium Corporation Pty. Limited Agreement Act (1957) the area for the town was excised from Shire of Cook and Comalco became the manager of the new town. In 1964, the first housing was constructed in the new township of Weipa at Rocky Point. In 1967 the Township of Weipa was officially opened by the Queensland Premier Frank Nicklin . In 1993, Comalco held elections to form
1880-512: The students transferred to the Weipa Campus of the college. The Comalco Act 1957 (Qld) revoked the reserve status, giving the company 5,760 square km (2,270 sq mi) of Aboriginal reserve land on the west coast of the Peninsula and 5,135 square km (1,933 sq mi) on the east coast of Aboriginal-owned (though not reserve) land. Mining commenced in 1960. The mission became a government settlement in 1966 with continued attempts by Comalco to relocate
1927-455: The town of Weipa and approximately 600 kilometres (370 mi) north west of Cairns , although the distance is 819 kilometres (509 mi) by road. The traditional owners of present-day Napranum are thought to be the Alngith people , although the Anathangayth , Peppan , Thanakwithi , Wathyn and Wik Waya peoples also lived in the area. Formerly known as Weipa South , Napranum
Weipa - Misplaced Pages Continue
1974-413: The western coast of the Cape York Peninsula , including the localities of Rocky Point , Trunding , Nanum , Evans Landing , and Weipa Airport . It is an unusual local government area as it is not governed and managed by a council elected by residents but rather by the company Rio Tinto Aluminium (which operates a bauxite mine in the area) through a governing body called the Weipa Town Authority. In
2021-419: The whole community elsewhere. The company then built a new town for its workers on the other side of the bay. The Queensland Government took control of the mission in 1966. Weipa South Post Office opened on 1 December 1967 and closed in 1982. Napranum eventually received DOGIT status, and has its own community council separate from the Shire of Cook . In the 2006 census , the town of Napranum had
2068-495: The world, with capacity and production at 15.5 and 16.1 million tonnes respectively. There are two schools in Weipa. The Western Cape College is a government co-educational school; it provides early childhood ( kindergarten ), primary and secondary schooling. It is on the corner of Central and Eastern Avenues in Rocky Point ( 12°37′37″S 141°52′50″E / 12.6269°S 141.8805°E / -12.6269; 141.8805 ( Western Cape College ) ). In 2015,
2115-612: Was established in 1898 by Moravian missionaries on behalf of the Presbyterian church. The Protector of Aborigines at the time, Archibald Meston , protested against the establishment of the Weipa Mission on the grounds that the people were healthy and could adequately sustain themselves. Despite this, the mission went ahead inland near York Downs station to avoid contact with luggers , who were notorious for kidnapping Aboriginal people to exploit in their diving operations. A school
2162-487: Was established in 1900 at the mission. Very restrictive legislation was enacted by the state of Queensland in 1911, giving the Protector exceptional powers. It stated in sections 10 and 17: The Chief Protector shall be the legal guardian of every Aborigine and half-caste child, notwithstanding that any such child has a parent or other relative living, until such child attains the age of 21 years. ... The Chief Protector may cause any aborigine or half-caste to be kept within
2209-659: Was established in 1982. On 30 March 1985, the Weipa South community elected the Weipa South Aboriginal Council, and the Aboriginal reserve held by the government was transferred to the council on 27 October 1988 under a Deed of Grant in Trust (DOGIT). In 1990, the Weipa South community became known as Napranum , meaning "meeting place of the people". The DOGIT lands became known as the Napranum DOGIT in 1991. In 1992,
#575424