Tara vs Pmara Jutunta

Tara and Pmara Jutunta are two remote Northern Territory areas with very different profiles. Pmara Jutunta has a much larger population of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, with 144 residents compared to 62 in Tara. Language use is also more common in Pmara Jutunta, where 91% of people speak a First Nations language, compared to 67.7% in Tara. In contrast, Tara has a typical First Nations personal income that is far higher at $369, while Pmara Jutunta is among the lowest at $226.

Both areas are entirely car-dependent, as neither has a walkable layout or access to nearby parks, schools or groceries. This shared lack of infrastructure is mirrored in their access to health services, which are within a 10-minute walk for every home in both places. While they share these basic layout challenges, the gap in First Nations household income has remained wide, with Tara's typical income sitting $226 higher than in Pmara Jutunta.