Palm Island is situated some 60 nautical miles off the coast of Townsville (North Queensland) and is part of the Palm Island group ,of which there are 12 Islands. The Great Barrier reef is 16 Nautical miles from Palm Island and the Island itself is surrounded by coral reefs and bomboras. Great Palm and Orphius Island are the only two inhabited Islands, leaving 10 deserted Islands which are under the traditional ownership of the Aboriginal Council. Orphius Island is a private, resort based Island, while Palm Island is owned and operated by the Aboriginal Council. Transport to the Palm Island group is limited due to the distance from the mainland, however transport services include a freight barge from Townsville and Lucinda, a ferry service from Townsville, and regular daily flights from Townsville.
Small boats can travel to the Palm Island group but it is not recommended in anything over 10 knot winds. Camping on the Islands is allowed, however permission must be sought from the Palm Island Aboriginal Council before-hand.
Due to the geographic location, fish species do not suffer from overfishing and are abundant around the Islands. While the area is mostly blue water, there is also flats fishing and some estuary fishing.
The Palm Group of islands is the traditional/historical country of the Malanbarra and Bwgcolman people and consists of about 16 islands with the biggest island being Palm Island which is 65 kilometres north-east of Townsville.
In 1986 Palm Island became Deed of Grant in Trust (DOGIT) and has a population of approximately 2305 (as of June 2001), with about 93 per cent of the total population being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin.
The Palm Island Community Justice Group was developed in 1993, and has proven to be very effective in diverting offenders from the criminal justice system. It works closely with the core agencies of the criminal/juvenile justice systems.
The Palm Island Community Justice Group, in cooperation with the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Policy, the Liquor Licensing Division and in consultation with the people of Palm Island community, has drafted an Alcohol Management Plan. The plan is currently under review.
For more information about this community contact The Department of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy's North Queensland Regional Office
on Phone: 4799 7470
Last Updated: Tuesday, 20 April, 2004
Palm Island services
Even though Palm Island is a remote community, there are still many services avaitable
-Barge service- townsville-
-Ingham
*Water taxi- Townsville
*Air plane- flight
*Butcher
*Retail grocery store
*Fish shop
*Bakery
*Clothes shop
services
*CDP
*Councile
*Hospital
*Rehab
*Old people home
*Rangers station
*Police station
*Woman shelter
*Day care
*School
*Damp
*Q-build
*Service station
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| Curacao Island | Fantom Island | punsh Island |
By David yasserie
