Traditional Owners

The original inhabitants of the Central Desert Regional Council area were the Anmatjere, Arrernte and Warlpiri Aboriginal people.

Settlement history

Traditionally, indigenous people lived in the area, and continue to do so, mainly in small communities. European settlement dates from the 1880s, although the area was explored in the early 1860s. Land was used mainly for pastoral purposes. Some growth took place during the late 1800s, spurred by the construction of the Overland Telegraph Line in 1872, and mining around Arltunga from 1887 and Harts Range from the 1890s. Gold mining continues today at Tanami. The population of the Council area increased during the early 1990s, rising from about 4,000 in 1991 to nearly 5,000 in 1996. The population then gradually declined, falling to about 4,100 in 2011.

Land use

The Central Desert Regional Council area is predominantly rural, with small townships at Lajamanu, Ti Tree, Willowra and Yuendumu, and numerous small indigenous communities. More than two-thirds of the population are Aboriginal. Rural land is used largely for cattle grazing and fruit and vegetable growing, with mining also being an important industry. The Council area encompasses a total land area of about 282,000 square kilometres.

Transport

The Central Desert Regional Council area is served by the Stuart Highway, the Plenty Highway and the Sandover Highway.

Major features

• Major features of the Council area include the Tanami Desert,
• Arltunga Historical Reserve,
• Dulcie Range National Park,
• Trephina Gorge Nature Park,
• Anna’s Reservoir Conservation Reserve,
• Nature Gap Conservation Reserve,
• Lake Mackay,
• Warlukurlangu Artists of Yuendumu,
• Warnayaka Art Centre,
• Red Sand Art Gallery and Granites Gold Mine.

Included areas

Notes

Much of this area is Aboriginal freehold land held by the Central Land Council.