New Mapoon

About New Mapoon

Location

New Mapoon is one of the 5 communities in the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA), located in the northern most region of Cape York, far north Queensland. The other communities in the NPA are Injinoo, Umagico, Seisia and Bamaga.

Languages

The predominant language spoken in New Mapoon is Torres Strait Creole, although English and Kriole are also spoken. The use of an interpreter may be necessary to assist complainants, witnesses, victims and offenders who come before the courts.

History of New Mapoon

New Mapoon facts and figures

Key social indicators from the 2016 Census for the New Mapoon community include:

  • 38.9% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 15 years and over had completed year 12 or equivalent
  • 24.4% of households with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were overcrowded.

The following figures are from the 2011 Census and will be updated later in 2017:

  • 20.9% of dependent children in families with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were from jobless families
  • 15.8% unemployment rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 15 to 64 years
  • 39.2% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 15 to 64 years worked in the Public administration and safety industry.

For more 2011 and 2016 census information on education, employment, income, housing figures and more for New Mapoon, build a statistical profile on Know Your Community.

Native title information

Search for native title information on the National Native Title Tribunal website.

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Visiting New Mapoon

Getting to New Mapoon

There are flights from Cairns to the Northern Peninsula Airpot at Bamaga every Monday to Saturday. The flight normally takes just over 2 hours, and the drive from Bamaga airport to New Mapoon takes around 25 minutes. The airport is also used by the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the Royal Australian Air Force, and for local charters from Weipa, Horn Island and the Torres Strait.

Road conditions can be difficult in the region, especially during the wet season when large pot holes will appear and roads can be washed out or completely inundated by water. During the dry season, fires can restrict vehicle access along roads.

Mobile phone coverage

Telstra mobile phone coverage is available only in Bamaga, parts of Seisia and the Injinoo lookout. A local radio station operates on frequency FM 91.9 from a studio in Bamaga. 

Seasonal consideration

New Mapoon is in a cyclone area and is subject to heavy rainfall during the wet season (around October to April/May).  

Quarantine restrictions

When visiting Cape York you need to observe the quarantine regulations in these regions:

  • it is against the law to move plant and animal material, including fruit, from the Torres Strait to the mainland
  • restrictions apply on moving plant material, including fruit, south from Cape York.

For more information visit:

Alcohol restrictions

Alcohol restrictions apply across the Northern Peninsula Area. 

Local government

Search the local government directory for information about the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council. 

Who to contact if you have questions about your visit

Regional Director (Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships)

Phone: 07 4069 1243
Mobile: 0400 769 868

Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council

New Mapoon Office
Phone: 07 4048 6600
Fax: 07 4069 3107

Email: info[at]nparc.qld.gov.au

Sorry business

When a death happens in the New Mapoon community, family members are notified to come together to be informed. The community shuts down when informed of the death and, during this time, business does not generally take place in the community. This does not however, apply to essential services such as policing, child safety, health, education and justice. 

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Community justice group

The role of the Community Justice Group (CJG) is to ensure that clients of the service are given appropriate cultural support for court matters. The CJG also provides cultural reports to the courts at sentencing and bail applications, assistance to the courts in managing community-based offences, and networking to implement crime prevention initiatives.

Members of the CJG work closely with a number of justice agencies including the Queensland Magistrates Court, Department of Corrective Services, Queensland Police Service, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service. The CJG works to support the community’s understanding of and access to the justice system by working in conjunction with Shire Council by-laws and victim support agencies.

Key ways the CJG is able to assist the community and the courts include:

  • participation in community consultations relevant to the CJG’s role within the criminal justice sector
  • preparation and presentation of written and oral sentencing submissions to the court
  • defendant support and referral (including court support)
  • victim support and referral (including court support)
  • support for debtors wishing to access the State Penalties and Enforcement Registry.

The local CJG for New Mapoon is:

Mandthingu Community Justice Group
C/- New Mapoon Arts Centre
New Mapoon via Bamaga 4876

Contact:

Coordinator: Ms Victoria Kennedy
Chairperson/Director: Mrs Agnes Mark

Phone: 07 4083 0461
Fax: 07 4083 0187
Mobile: 0429 630 520
Email: agnesmark[at]ymail.com or victoria_kennedy[at]health.qld.gov.au

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Community services

Use the Queensland Government's one place service directory to find up-to-date contact information for local support services including:

  • legal advice and support services
  • youth justice and support groups
  • domestic and family violence support
  • drug and alcohol services
  • mens' and women's groups
  • accident, emergency and medical services

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More information

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Is your feedback

Please submit your comments on the department's Compliments and Complaints section.

Please submit your comments on the Queensland Government website Contacts form.