Quick snapshot
Population
Approximately 6,486 people reside in the Roper Gulf region (Census 2021)
75% of our population identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
Contact
2 Crawford Street, Katherine NT 0850
PO Box 1321, Katherine NT 0851
Telephone: (08) 8972 9000
Our dedication extends across a breathtaking 201,000 square kilometres—one of the largest operational footprints in the Northern Territory.
Our regional boundaries span from the Kakadu escarpment in the north to the boundless edges of the Barkly Tablelands in the south. From the rugged eastern fringes of the Stuart Highway to the enchanting Gulf of Carpentaria and the neighbouring Queensland border. Here, nature reveals itself in all its glory—an ecological wonderland adorned with tropical savannahs, arid grasslands and expansive open forests. Iron-rich eroded sandstone, limestone escarpments, and graceful mesas paint the canvas of our landscape.
Woven through this magnificent region are the lifeblood rivers—ancient, grand, and awe-inspiring. The Roper, Rose, McArthur, Robinson, and Limmen rivers etch their stories into our land, reflected in the very fabric of our Council's logo. These rivers unite in an annual symphony, holding 11,750 gigalitres of water—the equivalent of approximately 23 Sydney Harbours—a true testament to the abundance of nature's blessings. Also within our region, rivers like Katherine, Edith, Fergusson, East Alligator, and King begin their journeys.
Envision a predominantly rural landscape where small townships, indigenous communities, and remote outstations form the tapestry of our existence. Rural land, a precious canvas, primarily nurtures cattle grazing, echoing with the rhythm of livelihood. Here, mining and tourism add their colours to the palette, enriching the canvas of our diverse economy.
We embrace this distinctive terrain, understanding its pulse, and strive to harmonise our services with the essence of this mesmerising land.
Council Wards
The Council's local government area is split into wards. There are five (5) wards that make up the Roper Gulf region:
- Never Never Ward
- Numbulwar-Numburindi Ward
- Nyirranggulung Ward
- South West Gulf Ward
- Yugul Mangi Ward
Our Logo
The logo was developed from a concept created by Lainie Joy of Borroloola. The five flowing figures have multiple meanings. They represent the five wards in our Roper Gulf region (Never Never, Numbulwar, Nyirranggulung, South West Gulf and Yugul Mangi), the five main rivers winding through our region (the Limmen, McArthur, Robinson, Roper and Rose Rivers), the low-lying hills that are visible on the horizon nearly everywhere in the Region and the Rainbow Serpent that underlies everything. The colours are based on the different colours of the soils and the peoples co-existing in the Roper Gulf region.