The Outback Region is one of seven regions used by the Local Government Association of South Australia to describe the territories used by its regional groupings of local government areas.
Geography It is by far the largest region, with very nearly 80 percent of the land area of South Australia, but less than one percent of its population, making it simultaneously by far the least populated and the least densely populated of all seven regions. The region encompasses all areas north and west of the more densely populated southeastern part of the state, all the way to its northern border with the Northern Territory (26th parallel south) and to its western border with Western Australia (129th meridian east). It also borders with Queensland in the northeast, and with New South Wales in the east (141st meridian east).
The Outback Region has a population of 12,496 (as of census of 2006, on an area of 834,679.8, which makes for a population density of 0.015 per km². The largest town is the mining town Roxby Downs (pop. 4055). In total, there are some 60 settlements and communities, including aboriginal communities.
Four of the five aboriginal councils of South Australia fall within the boundaries of the Outback Region. They are listed with the Local Government Areas below. Only Gerard (Aboriginal Council) falls within Murray Mallee region, which is southeast of the Outback Region.
Largest towns The largest towns of the Outback Region, with their 2006 census population figures which account for more than 70 percent of the Outback Region's population:
TownType Population(Census 2006) foundedLocal Government AreaRoxby Downsmining town40551988Roxby DownsCoober Pedyopal mining town19161915Coober PedyLeigh Creekcoal mining town5481888Outback Areas Community Development TrustAndamookaopal mining town5281920sOutback Areas Community Development TrustIndulkanaaboriginal community339 Anangu Pitjantjatjara YankunytjatjaraPukatja (Ernabella)aboriginal community3321938Anangu Pitjantjatjara YankunytjatjaraAmataaboriginal community3191961Anangu Pitjantjatjara YankunytjatjaraMimiliaboriginal community3031972Anangu Pitjantjatjara YankunytjatjaraWoomeramilitary facility2951947Outback Areas Community Development TrustOodnadattacattle station2771890Outback Areas Community Development Trust
Local government areas On the local government level, the Outback Region is composed of seven units, with a wide range in area from 76 to 624,339 km²:
Local Government AreaType Major Town Land Area(km²) Pop.2006 Densitykm−2TownsEst.Roxby DownsMunicipal CouncilRoxby Downs110429239,01821982Coober PedyDistrict CouncilCoober Pedy77,8199625,65611987Anangu Pitjantjatjara YankunytjatjaraAboriginal CouncilUmuwa10265022040,021181981Maralinga Tjarutja 1)Aboriginal CouncilOak Valley102863,61050,00111984YalataAboriginal CouncilYalata45631000,02211994NepabunnaAboriginal CouncilNepabunna, South Australia76,4490,64111998Outback Communities AuthorityUnincorporated AreaLeigh Creek624339.037500,006361978OutbackLGA RegionRoxby Downs834679,8124960,01560 1) including Mamungari Conservation Park and Emu Field, excluding Maralinga
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