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An autonomous, prosperous and sustainable community and council

Boigu

Boigu Island is the most northerly inhabited island of Queensland and Australia.

It is part of the top-western group of the Torres Strait Islands. The mainland of Papua New Guinea is only 6km away from Boigu. Boigu is low-lying and has an area of 89.6km² and is approximately 18km long.

It was formed by the accumulation of alluvial sediments deposited by the discharge of nearby New Guinean rivers into the Strait.

These sediments built up over time on an old coral platform which rises from the shallow continental shelf, eventually creating the island.

Most of the island is subject to extensive periodic flooding, and as a result, the community township is built on the highest ground.

Two nearby smaller islands (not permanently settled) are considered as a part of Boigu Island, more accurately known as the Talbot Islands. These are Aubisi Island and Moimi Island.

The interior of the island is sparsely vegetated, and mainly swampland. The coast is fringed by mangroves, which act to protect against the island's sand and mud from sea erosion.

The waters surrounding the island are an important habitat for dugongs.

Language group

The language spoken on Boigu Island is the Kalau Kawau Ya dialect.

Population

200 to 300 residents.

Facilities

  • Airport
  • Regional Council Office
  • State School (Years Pre Prep to 6)
  • Health Centre with permanent nurse
  • Two grocery / convenience stores (IBIS and Taipan)
  • Sporting Facilities - School rugby league oval
  • Council guest house
  • Council workshop / compound
  • Water plant reservoirs / filtration collection wells
  • De-SAL water plant
  • Power station
  • Barge ramp
  • Pier (small craft and passengers)
  • Sewerage treatment plant

Transportation

TSIRC operational hours

Monday to Friday: 8:30am - 12:00pm, 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Contact: Suzanne Anau

Email: suzanne.anau@tsirc.qld.gov.au

Phone: 07 4083 2001

Visitor approval

Accommodation

Accommodation is available for council and non-council members.

Accommodation options:

  • motel
  • guest house
  • donga guest
  • Lloyd’s donga
  • ICC donga

The number of rooms available is based on a single / double room rate per night.

Shops

IBIS Shop

Operating hours:

Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 5:30pm

Contact: Roy Felix

Phone: 07 4214 7000

Private Shop

Taipan Trading Shop

Operating hours:

Monday to Friday, 8am - 7pm

Saturday and Sunday, 9am -11am; 4.30pm - 5.30pm

Contact Manager: Gary Jones

Phone: 07 4069 4360

Community social groups

Sports Group

Contact: Keith Pabai (jnr)

Phone: 07 4083 2008

Religions

Church of the Rock

Phone: 07 4090 0575

St Saviour Church

07-40-901-333

Blood Covenant Church

Gazetted holidays

Gazetted holidays for Warraber Island Community include:

  • 26 February - Church Dedication - Church of the Rock
  • 20 June - St Saviour Church Day - Torres Strait Church
  • 08 July - Coming of the Light Celebration
  • 9 Dec - Native Title Determination

Public access facilities

  • Community Hall
  • Conference Room
  • RTC / IKC.

Contact us for more information.