Nganmarriyanga | |
|---|---|
  Nganmarriyanga | |
| Coordinates:14°19′47″S129°53′15″E / 14.3296°S 129.8875°E /-14.3296; 129.8875[4] | |
| Country | Australia |
| State | Northern Territory |
| LGA | |
| Location |
|
| Government | |
| • Territory electorate | |
| • Federal division | |
| Elevation | 8 m (26 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 427 (2016 census)[3] |
| Postcode | 0822 |
Nganmarriyanga, formerly known asPalumpa, is anAboriginal community in theDaly River region of theNorthern Territory, Australia.
Nganmarriyanga is an Aboriginal community that was originally established as Palumpa, the name of an adjoiningcattle station. This station was established after the Second World War to provide supplies to nearby communities, includingWadeye.[4] Its name was changed from Palumpa at the request of the Community Council.[3]
It was founded by the Wodidj family, which left the area after a period of initial contact with white Australian settlers before World War II. They left the area, with the men seeking work on cattle stations in northernWestern Australia, returning to the nearby Port Keats Mission (nowWadeye) after the war. They then moved to the present location and started building the community. They cut timber, built fences, dug trenches to pipe water from the creeks, and ran cattle which were sold to people at nearby communities.[3]
During the 1980s the population of Palumpa grew, and in 1985 Palumpa Community Inc. was formed as a local governing body, and raised funds for building infrastructure.[3]
Nganmarriyanga was in theVictoria Daly Shire when it was established,[4] but was moved into the newlocal government area ofWest Daly Region when it was established in 2014[5]
The community falls under the auspices of theNorthern Land Council.[3]
Nganmarriyanga lies131 km (81 mi) west of the Daly River crossing along the Port Keats Road. There is road access around eight months of the year, usually from May until December. During thewet season, the area is only accessible via plane because the roads are impassable due to regular flooding.[3]
In late February to early March 2023, heavy rains fell over the area. The upper Victoria River exceeded major flood levels, and evacuations were ordered for residents ofDaguragu,Kalkarindji,Pigeon Hole, and Palumpa.[6]
Nganmarriyanga's population was recorded as 427 in the2021 Australian census. The main language spoken in Nganmarriyanga isMurrinh-patha.[3]
Palumpa Station continues as aproprietary limited company run by thetraditional owners, with a newabattoir built in the 2020s, and is a major employer of local Aboriginal men.[3]
People at Palumpa like to huntbullock,turtle,goose,goanna,cat-fish,kangaroo andfish.[citation needed]
Nganmarriyanga Primary School[3] has an enrolment of 130 students from preschool to Year 10.[when?][citation needed]
There is a community health clinic, built in 1998 and operated by Territory Health Services.[3]
