East Arnhem Region

The East Arnhem Regional Council is a local government area of the Northern Territory, Australia. Situated in the far north-eastern corner of the Northern Territory, the region covers an area of 33359km2 and has a population of 10,730.East Arnhem Region was created under the Local Government Act (NT) 2008 to provide core Local Government Services. The area comprises nine major remote communities, many homelands and outstations, commercial enterprises such as tourism, two mining leases, and pastoral properties scattered throughout the Council area.Five of the nine communities are located on islands. Six of the communities are recognised Remote Service Delivery Sites by the Commonwealth and another is recognised as a NT Government Territory Growth Town.HistoryIn October 2006 the Northern Territory Government announced the reform of local government areas.The intention of the reform was to improve and expand the delivery of services to towns and communities across the Northern Territory by establishing eight new Shires. The East Arnhem Shire was created on 1 July 2008.Elections of Shire Councillors were held on 25 October 2008. Banambi Wunungmurra was elected unopposed as the inaugural EASC President, with Councillor Keith Hansen of Anindilyakwa Ward serving from 2008-2010 as his Deputy, then rotating the Deputy position to Councillor Kaye Thurlow of Gumurr Marthakal from 2010-2012. Wunungmurra was re-elected unopposed in 2012, with Councillor Mavis Danganbarr of Gumurr Marthakal Ward is currently serving as his deputy for a two-year term.On 1 January 2014, the Shire became a Region.Most of the land in the Region was previously unincorporated, but the following communities were amalgamated into it: Angurugu Community Marngarr Community