Parnngurr is a medium-sized
Aboriginal community, located 370 km from
Newman in the
Pilbara
The Pilbara () is a large, dry, sparsely populated regions of Western Australia, region in the north of Western Australia. It is known for its Indigenous Australians, Aboriginal people; wealth disparity; its ancient landscapes; the prevailing r ...
region of
Western Australia
Western Australia (WA) is the westernmost state of Australia. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east, and South Australia to the south-east. Western Aust ...
, within the
Shire of East Pilbara
The Shire of East Pilbara is one of the four local government areas in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. With an area of , larger than the Australian states of Victoria and Tasmania
Tasmania (; palawa kani: ''Lutruwita'') is ...
. Parnngurr was originally known as Cotton Creek, the name of the
ephemeral creek that runs beside the community.
Local area
The community sits within
Karlamilyi National Park. The park is the largest in the state, and one of the most rugged and remote in Australia. There are no park facilities outside the Parnngurr and Punmu settlements. The popular Desert Queen Baths lie about a half day's drive away along the Rudall River track; also in the area is Kalkan Kalkan Soak, Hanging Rock, Parnngurr Hill (Mt Cotton) and Parnngurr Rock Hole, as well as numerous bluffs, caves, creeks and bush tracks for the adventurous.
Facilities
The community shop provides residents and visitors with fuel, food, cold drinks, some camping and vehicle gear, and fresh fruit and vegetables. The community also supplies emergency medical facilities, accommodation, visitors' camping, caravan parking and laundry. Fuel supply is reliable and many visitors to the
Canning Stock Route
The Canning Stock Route is a track that runs from Halls Creek, Western Australia, Halls Creek in the Kimberley (Western Australia), Kimberley region of Western Australia to Wiluna, Western Australia, Wiluna in the Mid West (Western Australia), ...
and
Karlamilyi National Park stop in Parnngurr to refuel and pick up supplies. Staff and residents are very knowledgeable about the area and are happy to provide advice on road conditions and places to visit. Although permits are not required to visit Parnngurr, it is a dry community, meaning that drugs and alcohol are not allowed.
[
]
Native title
The community is located within the Martu native title determination area. In 2002, the Martu were recognised as holding native title rights to over 13.6 million hectares of the Western Desert, an area stretching from the Percival Lakes in the north to south of Kumpupintil Lake and from near Jigalong and Balfour Downs east to the Kiwirrkurra and Ngaanyatjarra native title determinations.
Education
Children of school age at Parnngurr attend the Parnngurr Community School. 2020 second semester enrolment was 18, from Year 1 to Year 10.
Governance
The community is managed through its incorporated body, Parnngurr Aboriginal Corporation, incorporated under the ''Aboriginal Councils and Associations Act 1976'' on 6 December 1989.[
]
Town planning
Parnngurr Layout Plan No.2 has been prepared in accordance with State Planning Policy 3.2 Aboriginal Settlements. Layout Plan No.2 was endorsed by the community on 18 April 2007 and the Western Australian Planning Commission
The Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) is an independent statutory authority of the Government of Western Australia that exists to coordinate strategic and statutory planning for future urban, rural, and regional land use. The WAPC f ...
on 4 December 2007.
References
External links
* http://www.parnngurr.com
Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations
Native Title Claimant application summary
{{coord, 22, 49, 01, S, 122, 35, 52, E, region:AU-WA_type:city(104)_source:kolossus-dewiki, display=title
Towns in Western Australia
Aboriginal communities in Pilbara