Back to search results
Channel Island Leprosarium and Reefs
General
Significance
Description
History
Gallery
Resources
More images...
Status
Permanent Declaration
Type
Place
Nomination Accepted
24/MAR/93
Signed By Minister
17/FEB/97
Gazetted
25/FEB/97
LGA
Un-Incorporated Area
Statement Of Heritage Value
The Channel Island Leprosarium was the site of a Quarantine Station, completed in September 1914, in the Northern Territory. It was one of four stations which were considered as "first-aid" or minor stations which were required to provide accommodation for all cases of actual quarantible disease likely to require action.
In 1930 a new Quarantine Station was opened on East Arm and Channel Island was converted to a Leprosarium. The Leprosarium is culturally significant as it provides a unique view of a compulsorily isolated group of people, existing under extreme physical and in some cases mental conditions. It also demonstrates the official policy of enforced segregation of diseased people. The ruins are evidence of the Quarantine requirements of the period including the segregation of inmates on the island. Its social significance is further enhanced by the fact that while the rest of the world was modifying its compulsory isolation laws, in Australia they were strengthened.
The natural environment of Channel Island is significant as a teaching site, for its geological features and mangroves and for the rocky reef with coral between the island and the mainland. The Channel Island Field Study Centre, the board walks through the mangroves, the geological features and the reef are all important teaching resources.
From an educational and research point of view the reef is a valuable resource because it demonstrates that a coral based community can survive in an area where most physical conditions are adverse if other conditions (such as strong currents) are met.
The Channel Island Reef is significant due to its relatively diverse coral community which is not consistent with its location well inside a large ria system characterised by substantial depression of salinity during the wet season, high turbidity and deep, fine muds over much of its area.
Value
Historic, Indigenous & Natural
Description
The Leprosarium consists of the remains of numerous buildings and other infrastructure in the form of rusted galvanised iron, concrete slabs, partial wall and roof structures, collapsed ruins of huts and dwellings, and parts of the original road formations.
Instrument
Additional Information
Site Information