East Arnhem Region: History
In October 2006 the Northern Territory Government announced the reform of local government areas. The intention of the reform was to improve and expand the delivery of services to towns and communities across the Northern Territory by establishing eight new shires. The East Arnhem Shire was created on 1 July 2008.
Elections of shire councillors were held on 25 October 2008. Banambi Wunungmurra was elected unopposed as the inaugural EASC president, with Councillor Keith Hansen of Anindilyakwa Ward serving from 2008 to 2010 as his deputy, then rotating the deputy position to Councillor Kaye Thurlow of Gumurr Marthakal from 2010 to 2012. Wunungmurra was re-elected unopposed in 2012, with Councillor Mavis Danganbarr of Gumurr Marthakal Ward currently serving as his deputy for a two-year term.
On 1 January 2014, the shire became a region.
Most of the land in the region was previously unincorporated, but the following communities were amalgamated into it:
Angurugu Community
Marngarr Community
On 1 September 2024, the Groote Archipelago Region was formed from what was the Anindilyakwa Ward of East Arnhem Region.