Welcome to "JIGALONG Community"

Jigalong Community is located approximately 1070km N/NE of Perth, 520km SE of Port Hedland on the edge of the Great Sandy and Gibson Desert, in the Shire of East Pilbara. Jigalong has a pastoral lease and five Outstations, being Walgun, Billanooke, Puntawari, Ngalkanginya and Robertson Range. It forms part of the Koondra Location 30 on the reserve which covers an area of approximately 260,000ha, 130kms to the east is the well known ‘Canning Stock Route’, alongside the community is the “Rabbit Proof Fence”; made internationally famous by the movie of the same name and it sits next to the 165km long “Jigalong Creek” which is fed by Pickering & Watch Point Creeks.

The major town in the area is the mining centre of Newman, 165km to the west with a population of 6200+ and possessing all the facilities and services you would expect to service them. Newman was established in 1968 to service the Mount Whaleback iron ore mine and is now servicing an increasing number of mining industries.

Jigalong itself has provides an increasing selection of service and support to its citizens including the “Illawarra Store & Takeaway”, “Jigalong Council Office”, a Workshop & Fuel Supply, Jigalong Year 12 School, the “Puntukurna Aboriginal Medical Service” Medical Centre, a HACC Program, a newly constructed Diabetes ‘Dialysis’ Treatment Facility, a Cultre Centre, Visitors Quarters, Womens & Childcare Centre, telsta & TV reception, Bracs Unit, the newly constructed Jigalong, Multi-Function Police Facility (MFPF), adult education Pundulmurra College TAFE campus, a 650kw capacity power station, water supply with 450kL ground storage & 150kL on elevated header tanks, a deep sewer system, an oval, basketball court, sealed internal roads, 1200m Airstrip (Position: 120.7648773193 -23.3606128692) and a 25 metre chlorinated salt-water swimming pool.

The Martu population of 400 - 500 people, speak English as a second language (with Martu Wangka being the main dialect and community members often speaking 3-4 languages). They self manage their community through a democratically elected council and in an everchanging world are striving to maintain their traditional culture and values while moving forward in an effort to meet the increasing demands of mainstream society.

Transport

Nexus – Monthly to community (start 29/07) – another as far as Newman with perishables on the second week. Service is Perth to Darwin. Nexus in Darwin – 0412 902 840 and Nexus in Perth – 93562700

Mail Plane – Golden Eagle 91401181 – 91721777 – Tuesdays & Friday.

Flight timetable: Newman 0800hrs, Jigalong 0920hrs, Cotton Creek 1020hrs, Well 33 1120hrs, Punmu 1220hrs, Balfour downs 1420hrs, Newman 1550hrs

Jigalong Airstrip 23.36061'S – 120.7649'E / 23'21”23.21’S - 120'45”53.56’E

ENVIRONMENT

The semi-arid environment has average summer temperatures of 30-35c + while the winter average is 15-25c. In winter the temperature at night can fall to a low 2c. Winds are normally from the east/south east and can be severe.

Local rainfall averages 200-600mm each year and usually falls in late summer and early winter as a result of northern cyclonic activity. (Most roads are impassable during the wet.

CONDITIONS FOR ENTRY

Jigalong is a closed Aboriginal Community and it is mandatory for visitors or contractors to gain Council approval 2-4 weeks before entry.