Boigu Island (Queensland)

Boigu Island (coord|9|16|S|142|13|E|region:AU-QLD_type:isle|display=inline,title) is the most northerly inhabited island in Australian territory. It is part of the top-western group of the Torres Strait Islands, which lie in the Torres Strait separating Cape York Peninsula from the island of New Guinea. The mainland of Papua New Guinea is only 6 km away from Boigu.

It is one of the Talbot Islands, Torres Strait.

Language and Affiliations

The language of Boigu is that of the Western and Central Islands of Torres Strait. The specific dialect is Kalau Kawau Ya, also spoken on Dauan and Saibai. The people of the three islands consider themselves as one people.

Geography

Boigu is approximately 18 km long, and low-lying. It was formed by the accumulation of alluvial sediments deposited by the discharge of nearby New Guinean rivers into the Strait. These sediments built up over time on an old coral platform which rises from the shallow continental shelf, eventually creating the island.

Most of the island is subject to extensive periodic flooding, and as a result the community township has been built on the highest ground.

Two nearby smaller islands (not permanently settled) are considered as a part of Boigu island, these are Aubisi Island and Moimi Island.

Ecology

The island is considered part of the New Guinea mangroves ecoregion, a subset of the Australasia ecozone.

The interior of the island is sparsely vegetated, and mainly swampland. The coast is fringed by mangroves, which act to protect against the island's sand and mud from sea erosion.

The waters surrounding the island are an important habitat for dugongs, an endangered species of sea mammal.

See also: Birds of Boigu, Saibai and Dauan Islands (Torres Strait)

Population

Boigu is predominantly inhabited by indigenous Torres Strait Islanders. According to 2004 Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) figures, its resident population is approximately 340 people.Currently there are approximately 260 people living on the island (2008).

ee also

*Boigu Island Airport