Looma is an Aboriginal community about 120 km south-east of Derby adjacent the Fitzroy River in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. At the 2011 census, Looma had a population of 374.[3]
History
The Looma Aboriginal community was originally built as accommodation for the Aboriginal stockmen and their families who worked on the Camballin and Liveringa Stations during the late 1950s and 1960s. It was one of the first communities of its kind in Australia. A second community, "New Looma", was built approximately 2 km south, after splinter groups within the community had to move due to infighting. Consequently, a new community was formed with new roads, housing and water supply installed. The old community remained as is.
Education
Looma Remote Community School is serviced by a district high school and also has access to TAFE short courses.
Facilities
Electricity supply
Electricity is fed via a feeder from the nearby Camballin power station.
Looma also has its own power station, located approximately 5 kilometres south of Looma.
Water
Old Looma has two bores feeding into a high level tank. New Looma has the same arrangement with more modern infrastructure.
Sewerage
Old Looma has a sewerage pump station and ponds. New Looma pipes its waste to the Old Looma ponds.
Recreation
The community has basketball courts and a football oval. Looma fields a team in the West Kimberley Football Association called the "Looma Eagles".
Bush walking, some fishing and camping are the dominant pursuits for tourists visiting. Visitors are required to apply for a permit prior to entering the Community.
Health
Looma has a community nursing post.
Town planning
Looma Layout Plan No.2 was prepared in accordance with State Planning Policy 3.2 Aboriginal Settlements and was endorsed by the community in 2007 and the Western Australian Planning Commission in 2008. The layout plan map-set and background report can be viewed at the Department of Planning Lands and Heritage web site.[4]
Other
Looma is equipped with a community radio station: Looma BRACS, 106.1 MHz (FM band), part of the Pilbara and Kimberley Aboriginal Media (PAKAM) network.[5]
References
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Looma Community (urban centre and locality)". Australian Census 2021.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Looma (Indigenous Location)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Looma (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
- ^ "Layout plans". Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage. 20 February 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "Home". pakam.com.au.
