Jabiru, Northern Territory

Infobox Australian Place | type = town
name = Jabiru
state = nt


caption =
lga = Town of Jabiru
postcode = 0886
est =
pop = 1,137 (2006 census)
elevation= 27
maxtemp = 34.2
mintemp = 22.5
rainfall = 1250.3
stategov = Arafura
fedgov = Lingiari
dist1 = 256
dir1 =
location1= Darwin

Jabiru is a town in the Northern Territory of Australia. It was originally built in 1982 as a closed town to house the community living at Jabiru East near the Ranger Uranium Mine eight kilometres away. Both the mine and the town are completely surrounded by Kakadu National Park.

Overview

Jabiru Township is thirteen square kilometres in size. The town is owned as freehold by the Director of National Parks and Wildlife, from which a head lease is held by the Jabiru Town Development Authority (JTDA). The JTDA subleases to the mining company, government agencies and private business. The head lease expires in 2021.

The JTDA has delegated local government responsibility to the Jabiru Town Council. The Northern Territory Government is in the process of amalgamating Jabiru Town Council into the West Arnhem Shire in 2008.

Jabiru at the 2001 census had a population of 1,521.Census 2001 AUS|id=UCL703200|name=Jabiru (Urban Centre/Locality)|accessdate=2007-06-30]

Apart from the Ranger mine, Jabiru's most notable industries are tourism (it is the commercial and accommodation hub of Kakadu National Park), and Aboriginal arts and culture.

Jabiru features a small town plaza that includes a video souvenir shop, a supermarket, bank, tackle shop, cafe, hairdresser, post office, news agency, bank and bakery (behind the fire station) as well as government, Northern Land Council offices, Magistrates Courts and emergency services (Police, Fire and Ambulance).

During the Wet season (October to April), Jabiru experiences heavy rain that often results in widespread flooding along the Arnhem Highway and Kakadu Highway. During 2006-07 Jabiru had its biggest wet season cutting both highways. The Arnhem Highway was cut off for several weeks as the West Alligator bridge was severely damaged.

Jabiru town is administered by the Jabiru Town Council, whose council chambers are in the town plaza.

Recreation

Recreational facilities include the Jabiru town lake (picnic areas and barbecues), freshwater fishing for barramundi (a local specialty), the Yellow Water cruise, day-trips to Ubirr Rock, Twin Falls and other natural features of Kakadu National Park, as well as a Sports and Social Club, an Olympic-size swimming pool (the only safe place to swim), cricket ovals where cricket and Australian rules football is played. Magela Field in Jabiru is home to the World Famous Jabiru Bushratz Rugby Union Club, who are currently celebrating their 25th year in 2008. There is also a 9-hole golf course which is the only licensed premises for takeaway alcohol; however only members can buy takeaway alcohol there. Visitors can consume alcohol in opened containers on licensed premises.

References