Pipalyatjara
Geography
Pipalyatjara is situated in a narrow valley in the Tomkinson Ranges, 25 km distant from the point where the WA, NT and SA borders meet.
It is approximately 1600 kms from Adelaide by road, 550 kms being dirt track. The nearest large centre is Alice Springs 750 kms away. Elevation is around 600 metres above sea level and the surrounding mountains rise about 300 - 450 metres from the valley floor.

View of the granite hillside
Above: Red stained granite rocks on the southern side of the Pipalyatjara community - 1997.

Vegetation includes spinifex, red river gums, and a lesser scattering of mulga, pipalya and corkwood trees along with mulga grass. The soil is red, sandy loam over limestone outcrops but dominated by the red granite of the hills.

There is no source of permanent water except from the bores which feed two large tanks on the hill from which water is reticulated through the community. The rainfall averages 270 mm annually. The tropical monsoon activity in the north of Australia provides most of the rainfall so the wet season is between November and March. Recent years (1998-99) have seen increased rainfall with the combination of monsoon and winter rains lifting the rainfall to above 350 mm. (See Graphs)
Temperatures during summer are often up to and over 40°C. Max. Temperatures in winter are around 20°C. (See Graphs)
The valley funnels the wind which commonly whips up the dust. 
Fine red sand manages to find its way into everything.

Dust and flies transmit the disease trachoma which has been a concern for local health authorities. As part of a joint project (1999-2001), Nganampa Health and the Christian Blind Mission have completed work to seal local streets and landscape around the houses to combat the dust problem. (See Views)
 


Adapted from Housing for Health: Towards a healthy living environment for Aboriginal Australia, Pholeros P, Rainow S, Torzillo P; Healthhabitat (c) 1993

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