Quick snapshot
Population
Approximately 542 people reside in Beswick with a median age of 27 years old (Census 2021)
Languages
The people of Beswick speak Kriol, Mayali and English
Outstations
Bishop Bore
Contact
Beswick Council Office: 30 Balanda Street, Beswick NT 0852
Beswick Postal Address: PMB 26, Katherine NT 0852
Wugularr, also known as Beswick, is in the Nyirranggulung Ward and is located on the bank of Waterhouse River, 118 kilometres south-east of Katherine on the Central Arnhem Highway. The Traditional Owners of the land in and around Wugularr are the Jawoyn people.
History
In 1913, the Maranboy Tin Mine was established which brought people seeking employment opportunities to the area. The mine ceased its operation in 1945, and in 1947 the Government bought Beswick Station, which is where the community derives its name from, and it was used as a WWII Native Training Centre. The Jawoyn people were given Native Title to their lands in 1991.
Beswick Falls
The sacred and spectacular Beswick Falls on Wugularr country. A popular fishing location for local people and freshwater crocodiles. This sacred place is only accessible for tourists with one of the local guides at Djilpin Arts
Access
By road, the trip to Wugularr takes approximately one and a half (1.5) hours from Katherine on an all-weather road. The single lane Central Arnhem Highway is sealed to the gateway of Wugularr. Only during severe flooding which occurs only sporadically does the road become inaccessible. Please be advised that Wugularr is a closed community; a Northern Land Council (NLC) permit is required to visit this community.
Local Authority
An integral part of the community consultation process in Wugularr occurs through Wugularr Local Authority Meetings. The Local Authority is made up of the Elected Member/s who sit on Council for the Nyirranggulung Ward and are nominated representatives from the community. All stakeholders in Wugularr are invited to attend the Local Authority Meetings. The resolutions made at these meetings form the basis of all planning made by Roper Gulf Regional Council.
To attend a Wugularr Local Authority Meeting, click here
To view our Local Authority Meeting dates, agendas and minutes, click here
Services
This information is sourced from the Northern Territory Government and is available on BushTel.
| Service Type | Available | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Transport Service | Yes | (08) 8922 2666 Katherine Coaches |
| Fuel | Yes | Opal and Diesel available in the community |
| Commercial Accommodation | Yes | 0428 606 733 Roper Gulf Regional Council Accommodation |
| Community Store | Yes | Beswick Community Store (08) 8975 4523 |
| Airstrip | No | Nearest airstrip is in Barunga (30km from Beswick community) |
| Health Centre | Yes | Primary Health Care delivered by Sunrise Health Services (08) 8975 4924 |
| Alcohol | Yes | Alcohol Protected Area and a General Restricted Area |
| Police Station | No | Serviced by Maranboy Police Station (40km from the community) (08) 8975 4500 |
| School | Yes | Wugularr School (08) 8975 4549 |
| Council Service Delivery Centre | Yes | Council Office located at 30 Balanda Street, Beswick NT 0852 |
| Mobile Phone, Internet & Radio | Yes | There are currently two public telephones in Beswick and also Telstra 3G telephone and internet coverage. Digital television is connected to all homes and local radio is provided through the Remote Indigenous Broadcast Services (RIBS) |
| Post Office | Yes | Post Office located at Council Service Delivery Centre |
| Early Childcare Centre | Yes | Council operates a Crèche Centre at Lot 193 |
| Aged Care Centre | Yes | Council operates an Aged Care Centre at Lot |
