|
Mount Isa is the major town and economic hub of the Gulf
Country
|
Landscape and industries
The Gulf Country covers the southern shores of the Gulf of
Carpentaria and the country surrounding the many rivers that flow
into the gulf. It includes the ridged landscapes surrounding Mount
Isa. This is the largest of the tropical savanna regions as we have
defined them, covering around 425,000 square kilometres.
The major land use in the region is pastoralism, although most
income is generated by mining with several large mines in the
region including the Mount Isa Copper Mine and the McArthur River
and Century Lead-Zinc mines. The fishing industry is also a major
employer in the region.
Land use
As shown in the map at right, pastoralism is the dominant land
use throughout the region (shown in white). There are some national
parks (dark brown) in the Queensland areas and significant
Aboriginal lands (tan) in the Northern Territory region.
Climate
A number of the Gulf's climatic gradients appear to be aligned
with the coast as well as having a north-south component. Average
summer rainfall ranges between 400 mm in the south up to 800 mm in
the north with moderate to high variability each year. Temperatures
are hot with maximums around 36ºC, however, more frequent
pleasant weather is recorded in the far north coastal sections and
the extreme eastern areas in Queensland. Winter dry-season
temperatures can drop, after warm, sunny days, to an average
overnight low of 12ºC.
Biogeographic regions
This area is defined by the biogeographic regions Gulf Coastal,
Gulf Fall and Uplands, Gulf Plains and the Mount Isa Inlier. For
more information on the biogeographic regions on this map go to:
ERIN's Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation of Australia (IBRA),
web link below.
|
Town
|
Total Population
|
Indigenous Population
|
|
Mount Isa
|
20,525
|
3048
|
|
Cloncurry
|
2,748
|
592
|
|
Doomadgee
|
1,119
|
979
|
|
Normanton
|
1,447
|
786
|
|
Karumba
|
1,346
|
28
|
|
Boroloola
|
769
|
494
|
|
Table is based on Urban Centres and Localities
figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2001 Census.
|
Population snapshot
The population figures at right are based on the Australian
Bureau of Statistics census of 2001 which is conducted in early
August. These more standardised Urban Centres and Localities
figures replace earlier ones on this site based on Statistical
Local Areas (SLAs) and Census Collection Districts.
The population of the region is reasonably sparse with most
people living in the mining town of Mount Isa.
Links
Bioregion Profile for Gulf Fall and Uplands - NRETA website
www.nt.gov.au/nreta/wildlife/nature/gulffalls.html
A description of the Gulf Fall and Uplands bioregion, including location, physical description, vegetation communities, its Special values, such as endemic species, threatened species, species richness; important breeding sites, significant wetlands, vegetation communities restricted or in particularly good condition, refugial protection from threatening processes; Biodiversity condition and trend including declining species; species and ecosystems at risk; condition of riparian zones; Threatening factors, such as feral animals, weeds, changed fire regimes, vegetation clearance; Current reservation status including arrangements for off park conservation; Priority management/conservation priorities and constraints, such as capacity building, management of threats, resource availability, required formal protection arrangements, and joint management arrangements; and Major data gaps and research priorities.
Case Study: Northern Gulf Indigenous Savanna Group NRM
www.nrm.gov.au/do/indigenous/case-studies/northerngulf.html
Seven different indigenous language groups in the Northern Gulf participate in natural resource management through the Northern Gulf Indigenous Savanna Group
Environment Australia: ERIN's Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation of Australia (IBRA)
www.environment.gov.au/parks/nrs/ibra/version5-1/index.html
Gulf Regional Development Plan - Home Page
www.lgp.qld.gov.au/?id=183
The Gulf Regional Development Plan home page on the Queensland Local Government Web Site
Gulf Regional Development Plan - Part 1
www.lgp.qld.gov.au/docs/planning/projects/gulf/grdp_dec_2000_1.pdf
Executive Summary and Contents
Gulf Regional Development Plan - Part 5
www.lgp.qld.gov.au/docs/planning/projects/gulf/grdp_dec_2000_5.pdf
Integrated Transport Strategy; Implementation and Coordination
Gulf Savannah Development / Tourism Gulf Savannah: The Gulf Savannah
www.gulf-savannah.com.au/
Gulf Water Resource Plan
www.nrw.qld.gov.au/wrp/
