The Population and Mobility in the Town Camps of Alice
Springs report prepared by the Tangentyere Council Research
Unitstudy which has informed recent Federal and Territory funding
commitments for infrastructure and services, found that during
2004/05 up to 2,065 people lived in town camps at any one time,
more than double the 973 occupants reported in the 2002 census.
Four surveys, undertaken over a 12-month period, found that one in
five town camp houses surveyed had more than 10 occupants and that
town camp houses were overcrowded and in poor condition. Not
included in these occupancy figures were people living in tin
sheds, community facilities or ablution blocks.
The study also found that enforcement of the law prohibiting public
drinking within 2 km of licensed premises encouraged visitors who
are drinking to do so in town camps, adding to social stress.
The research was conducted by Aboriginal people in language and has
been constructive in explaining for the first time more accurate
numbers of people living in the town camps, and attitudes towards
visitors entering the town camps.
The qualitative component, of the research describes the visiting
patterns, multiple residencies among town camps, and between town
camps and remote communities and factors associated with these. The
ability to make population projections, to plan and provide
services is severely constrained by unforeseen population movements
that do not exhibit predictable mobility patterns.
The research improves the knowledge about populations that agencies
are servicing. Population mobility, age and gender, community of
origin, multiple residency, issues and factors associated with
mobility are analysed to help Tangentyere Council and other
agencies improve services to the town camps and develop strategic
long term plans for service delivery.
