Nepabunna, South Australia


The Nepabunna Community Council is a local government area situated on Adnyamathanha land in the remote north-east of South Australia. Originally established as a mission in the 1930s, the community became a council in 1998 and is now part of the Local Government Association of South Australia. At the 2006 census, Nepabunna had a population of 49.
The town is managed by Nepabunna Community Inc. under an Aboriginal Land Trust lease that expires in 2081. The main Copley to Balcanoona Road runs through the property and Nepabunna community living area. 'Iga Warta' is a small excision from Nepabunna under separate management.

History

The steps to independent management began in the early-mid 90s when 'Nantawarrina' was a property in serious difficulty. Overgrazing by domestic stock and feral animals, and human impacts through tourism caused serious environmental degradation. Concerned about the condition of their land, the Nepabunna community took action, implementing a number of programs.
Community tree planting activities quickly grew into significant land management programs that included feral animal control, repairing damaged fences, monitoring and controlling tourist activity, monitoring endangered species and revegetating and rehabilitating degraded areas.
The community was supported in this effort by the Aboriginal Lands Trust, North Flinders Soil Conservation Board, National Parks and Wildlife - SA, Primary Industries and Resources SA and Save the Bush.