Traditional Owners

The original inhabitants of the MacDonnell Regional Council area were the Arrernte 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 1870s, spurred by the construction of the Overland Telegraph line. Population was minimal, with land used mainly for cattle grazing. Some growth took place during the late 1800s. Growth resumed from the post-war years, with the establishments of various Aboriginal missions and the construction of the Pine Gap Joint Defence Facility in the late 1960s. The population of the Council area fluctuated during the 1990s, falling from about 6,300 in 1991 to 5,700 in 1996, and then rising to about 6,800 in 2001. The population declined slightly to about 6,300 in 2006, and then was relatively stable to 2011.

Land use

The MacDonnell Regional Council area is predominantly rural, with a number of small townships, indigenous communities and outstations. The majority of the population is Aboriginal. Rural land is used largely for pastoral purposes, with mining and tourism also being important industries. The Council area encompasses a total land area of nearly 270,000 square kilometres.

Transport

The MacDonnell Regional Council area is served by the Stuart Highway and the Lasseter Highway.

Major features

• Major features of the Council area include Finke Gorge National Park (including Palm Valley),
• Tjoritja/West Macdonnell National Park (including Ellery Creek Big Hole,
• Ormiston Gorge,
• Redbank Gorge,
• Serpentine Gorge,
• Simpsons Gap and Standley Chasm),
• Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (including Uluru Cultural Centre,
• Uluru - Ayers Rock and Kata Tjuta - The Olgas),
• Watarrka National Park (including Kings Canyon and Kathleen Springs),
• Corroboree Rock Conservation Reserve,
• Henbury Meteorite Conservation Reserve,
• Illamurta Springs Conservation Reserve,
• Mac and Rose Chalmers Conservation Reserve,
• Mac Clark (Acacia peuce) Conservation Reserve,
• Napwerte/Ewaninga Rock Carvings Conservation Reserve,
• Rainbow Valley Conservation Reserve,
• Tnorala (Gosse Bluff) Conservation Reserve,
• Owen Springs Reserve,
• N’Dhala Gorge Nature Park,
• Ruby Gap Nature Park,
• Chambers Pillar Historical Reserve,
• Pine Gap Joint Defence Facility,
• Alice Springs Correctional Centre,
• Hermannsburg Historic Precinct,
• Titjikala Art and Craft Centre,
• Camels Australia,
• Hamilton Downs Youth Camp,
• Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary and the Simpson Desert.

Included areas

Notes

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