Communities

The Outback Communities Authority covers nearly 625,000 square kilometers or 65 percent of the State of South Australia.

The Authority has no jurisdiction over the Pitjantjatjara and Maralinga Tjaratja Aboriginal Lands, the Aboriginal reserves at Yalata and Nepabunna and the island councils of Coober Pedy and Roxby Downs. These communities are serviced by existing governance arrangements.

The OCA formally recognises and assists 31 communities in 28 locations across the outback.

They are located in:

Each community generally has a Progress Association (or similar) incorporated under the Associations Incorporations Act, (1985). These associations generally determine community needs and priorities and, where human resources allow, maintain facilities and services and undertake important town management roles.

Generally the OCA recognises one principal association in each locality and requires that, to the extent possible, this association represents the interests of the local community as a whole. Other special interest groups are expected to direct their approaches to the OCA through the principal association.

The OCA also recognises co-existing Aboriginal community groups in three towns – the Marree Arabanna Peoples' Committee (Marree); Dunjiba Community Council (Oodnadatta) and the Aroona Aboriginal Council (Copley).

All communities that the OCA assists are constituted under the Associations Incorporation Act (1985). Among other things this legislation allows the community groups to receive, hold and disperse funds. Incorporation under this Act is a pre-requisite to OCA financial assistance.