‘We need to encourage the young people here, to speak from your heart. This is a plan for Wurankuwu as a township for future generations… this vision is for your children, your grandchildren… to make the community grow…’ Jacinta Tipungwuti
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Warunkuwu Master Plan
Wurankuwu, also known as Ranku, is a remote Aboriginal community located on the western side of Bathurst Island in the Tiwi Islands, approximately 80 kilometres north of Darwin.
Ranku stands at a pivotal moment in its history. For more than 30 years, it has existed as a homeland, and now, under the leadership of its Traditional Owners, Ranku is transitioning to a recognised Remote Community: a permanent, self-determined place where all Tiwi people are welcome, and where culture, livelihoods and economic opportunity can flourish.
This Master Plan has been developed by Traditional Owners for all Tiwi.
Remote communities and homelands are frequently shaped by ad-hoc planning and opportunistic development. The Wurankuwu Master Plan integrates technical and spatial planning with the deep knowledge and ambitions of Traditional Owners, ensuring that the built environment actively supports the community’s cultural, social and economic aspirations.
The plan also provides a structured, community-endorsed framework to guide future planning under a Township Lease, giving the community a clear and authoritative foundation as it steps into its next chapter.
The transition from homeland to Remote Community is an act of self-determination. Traditional Owners envision Wurankuwu as an inclusive, thriving community, with expanded services, stronger infrastructure and economic opportunity for Tiwi people. Its impact will be felt not only in Wurankuwu, but across the Tiwi Islands, easing pressure on larger townships like Wurrumiyanga and strengthening the Tiwi economy as a whole.
| Location | Tiwi Islands |
| Partners | Portaminni Pty Ltd Office of Township Leasing, NT Government |
| Project Type | Community Master Plan |
| Completion | January 2026 |
| Project Team | Kieran Wong, Heather MacRae, Akira Monaghan |
