Normanton is located in the Carpentaria Shire, about 680km by road west of Cairns. It is the main administrative and government centre for the region.
English is the predominant language spoken in Normanton. However, Kukatj/Gkuthaarn people may also speak in their own languages. Other language groups from the surrounding areas include the Kurtijar, Tagalaka, Waanyi, Lardil, and Kaiadilt peoples. People also come to visit and/or live in Normanton from Doomadgee, Burketown, Croyden, Mornington Island and Kowanyama. Assistance may be required for complainants, witnesses, victims and offenders who come before the court.
For 2011 and 2016 census information on education, employment, income, housing figures and more for Normanton, build a statistical profile on Know Your Community.
Search for native title information on the National Native Title Tribunal website.
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Normanton is accessible by air or road. From Cairns, road access to Normanton is via the Savannah Way. It is about an eleven hour drive (690km) and the road is sealed the whole way. The Savannah Way is a popular tourist route and is well-travelled, particularly during the dry season (May to October).
From Mount Isa, best road access is via the Flinders Highway and the Burke Development Road. The drive from Mount Isa takes between 5 and 6 hours and the road is sealed all the way but narrow in some parts. Limited flights to Normanton are available from Mount Isa.
The wet season for the Gulf can start from as early as November and can sometimes last through to May. This can impact on road conditions. The Carpentaria Shire Council also produces regular road and weather reports for the region.
There are no alcohol restrictions in Normanton.
Search the local government directory for information about the Carpentaria Shire Council.
‘Sorry Business’ is a term used during the time of mourning following the death of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person. Torres Strait Islanders may use the terminology ‘Bad or Sad News’. The term can also refer to the past practice of forcibly removing children from their families. The intensity of mourning is reflective of the importance of the family or person who has died. The mourning process enables healing for the family and community involved.
The death of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person impacts on the whole community. Please check with the Mount Isa Service Centre before arriving in Normanton if you are planning to meet with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and/or organisations. Gkuthaarn and Kukatj Aboriginal Corporations close their offices to attend funerals of IAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members.
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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:
For more information about your local Community Justice Group:
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Use the Queensland Government's one place service directory to find up-to-date contact information for local support services including:
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