Djarindjin / Lombadina
Djarindjin and Lombadina are discrete communities, located adjacent to each other on the Dampier Peninsula in Western Australia’s Kimberley region. Access to and affordability of communications services are key barriers to digital inclusion in the communities. Djarindjin had a 9m small cell tower installed in 2022, improving coverage, speeds, and higher penetration of houses. However, its coverage does not extend to provide reliable service in nearby Lombadina and most residents in both communities remain reliant on pre-paid mobile for voice and data.
196km to Broome
Bardi people
2025 Digital Inclusion score
ADII scores range from 0 to 100. The higher the score, the greater the level of digital inclusion. ADII scores are relative: they allow comparisons across different social groups, different geographic areas, and over time.
2025 Dimension scores
We measure digital inclusion across the three dimensions of Access, Affordability and Digital Ability; identified as the key requirements of digital inclusion. Where early research on digital inclusion focuses on questions of access, subsequent work highlights affordability challenges, and shows the importance of digital skills or abilities as the use of online technologies has grown. To understand and address digital inclusion, it is important to pay attention to Access, Affordability and Digital Ability simultaneously.
Community Outcomes Reports
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Djarindjin and Lombadina, WA 2026 community update report15 Sep 2024 Read PDF online |
Summary
This report outlines updated findings based on a third and final research visit to Djarindjin and Lombadina in 2024 in partnership with Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation, as well as updates since a 2024 visit. Building on the Djarindjin 2023 community update report, this update report is intended to assist local and regional agencies, leaders and residents to better understand the barriers to digital inclusion, develop local strategies to address these barriers, and support planning and partnerships with government and industry stakeholders.
The report presents research findings to date, compares survey results from 2022 to 2024, renews analysis with 2024 findings and quotes, and outlines changes in communications and media services and usage during and since visits. The report also presents 2025 Australian Digital Inclusion Index scores for Djarindjin and Lombadina relative to national averages.
The proposed Digital Inclusion Plan has been updated based on community input and progress to date, as well as planned activities.
Key findings
- There has been strong local enterprise and community development in Djarindjin and Lombadina, increasing the importance of digital skills essential for local employment, business operations, tourism and service delivery.
- Like many other remote communities, there has been growing use of Starlink services by agencies, service providers, and staff, with recent uptake by some First Nations households.
- The small cell mobile cell service installed in 2022 initially delivered fast mobile connectivity when first switched on. By 2024, the service had reportedly deteriorated with increased congestion in the evenings, and mobile coverage still patchy in Lombadina.
- Reliability of communications has also been impacted by several cyclones and a major power outage in 2025, leading to local solutions being developed to improve power and communications resilience.
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Djarindjin and Lombadina, WA 2023 community update report17 Apr 2024 Read PDF online |
Summary
Building on the 2022 Djarindjin and Lombadina community outcomes report, this update report is intended to assist local and regional agencies, leaders and residents to better understand the barriers to digital inclusion, develop local strategies to address these barriers, and support planning and partnerships with government and industry stakeholders.
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Djarindjin and Lombadina, WA, community outcomes report 20224 Apr 2023 Read PDF online |
Summary
Based on 95 surveys and 6 stakeholder interviews, this report outlines the initial findings from a 2022 visit and highlights the current access and use of media, telecommunications and online services, as well as the digital inclusion and service delivery challenges in Djarindjin and Lombadina. The report is intended to support local and regional agencies, including DAC, Lombadina Aboriginal Corporation (LAC), Pilbara and Kimberley Aboriginal Media (PAKAM) and Western Australian Government to better understand the barriers to digital inclusion and community needs and aspirations for the future. The report details this progress, as well as outstanding challenges, and proposes a range of potential strategies for a local digital inclusion plan, for community stakeholders to use as they see fit.
population (ABS 2021)
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders (ABS 2021)
occupied dwellings; 3.3 people per ATSI household (ABS 2021)
Research Partner
Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation
Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation preserves and promotes the cultural, social, and environmental well-being of the Djarindjin community. Through a range of community-led initiatives, partnerships, and services, Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation works to create sustainable opportunities for local residents, strengthen cultural heritage, and foster connections within the community and beyond. The corporation focuses on supporting economic development, enhancing local employment, and empowering community-driven projects, while also collaborating with external organisations to improve health, education, and infrastructure.
Local Research Team
Community co-researchers are employed in each community to support research activities and contribute research findings between site visits. These roles provide local jobs and support capacity building.
Community co-researchers play a central role in the research, liaising between the research team and the local community, providing cultural guidance to the research team, acting as translators, facilitating research activities, identifying possible participants and communicating information to community members.
We’d like to extend our gratitude to the support of our Djarindjin / Lombadina co-researchers and research partners:
Audrey Shadforth
Co-Researcher
Marlin Sampi
Co-Researcher
Bernadette Angus
Co-Researcher
Nathan McIvor
CEO, Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation
Photos from research activities
Mapping the Digital Gap
Mapping the Digital Gap is the first extensive study of digital inclusion and use of media and communications services in remote First Nations communities across Australia. Using qualitative and quantitative research methods, the project is providing data to help measure progress on Closing the Gap Target 17, which aims for equivalent levels of digital inclusion for First Nations people by 2026.
Mapping the Digital Gap is a partnership project between the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society (ADM+S) and funding partner Telstra, as part of the Australian Digital Inclusion Index research suite. The research team also partner with local First Nations organisations and co-researchers to undertake on-site research annually in participating communities.