Outback (region)

The Outback Region is one of seven regions used by the Local Government Association of South Australia to describe the territories used by its regional groupings of local government areas.[1]

Geography

It is by far the largest region, with very nearly 80 percent of the land area of South Australia, but less than one percent of its population, making it simultaneously by far the least populated and the least densely populated of all seven regions. The region encompasses all areas north and west of the more densely populated southeastern part of the state, all the way to its northern border with the Northern Territory (26th parallel south) and to its western border with Western Australia (129th meridian east). It also borders with Queensland in the northeast, and with New South Wales in the east (141st meridian east).

The Outback Region has a population of 12,496 (as of census of 2006, on an area of 834,679.8, which makes for a population density of 0.015 per km². The largest town is the mining town Roxby Downs (pop. 4055). In total, there are some 60 settlements and communities, including aboriginal communities.

Four of the five aboriginal councils of South Australia fall within the boundaries of the Outback Region. They are listed with the Local Government Areas below. Only Gerard (Aboriginal Council) falls within Murray Mallee region, which is southeast of the Outback Region.

Largest towns

The largest towns of the Outback Region, with their 2006 census population figures which account for more than 70 percent of the Outback Region's population:

TownTypePopulation
(Census 2006)
foundedLocal Government Area
Roxby Downsmining town40551988Roxby Downs
Coober Pedyopal mining town19161915Coober Pedy
Leigh Creekcoal mining town5481888Outback Areas Community Development Trust
Andamookaopal mining town5281920sOutback Areas Community Development Trust
Indulkanaaboriginal community339 Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara
Pukatja (Ernabella)aboriginal community3321938Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara
Amataaboriginal community3191961Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara
Mimiliaboriginal community3031972Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara
Woomeramilitary facility2951947Outback Areas Community Development Trust
Oodnadattacattle station2771890Outback Areas Community Development Trust

Local government areas

On the local government level, the Outback Region is composed of seven units, with a wide range in area from 76 to 624,339 km²:

Local Government AreaTypeMajor TownLand Area
(km²)
Pop.
2006
Density
km−2
TownsEst.
Roxby DownsMunicipal CouncilRoxby Downs110429239,01821982
Coober PedyDistrict CouncilCoober Pedy77,8199625,65611987
Anangu Pitjantjatjara YankunytjatjaraAboriginal CouncilUmuwa10265022040,021181981
Maralinga Tjarutja 1)Aboriginal CouncilOak Valley102863,61050,00111984
YalataAboriginal CouncilYalata45631000,02211994
NepabunnaAboriginal CouncilNepabunna, South Australia76,4490,64111998
Outback Communities AuthorityUnincorporated AreaLeigh Creek624339.037500,006361978
OutbackLGA RegionRoxby Downs834679,8124960,01560 
1) including Mamungari Conservation Park and Emu Field, excluding Maralinga

References

  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-04-06. Retrieved 2011-04-12.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)


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