 With the passage of the "Local Authorities Act 1902", Carpentaria Division became the Shire of Carpentaria on 31 March 1903.Prior to 2005, two Aboriginal communities (Kowanyama and Pormpuraaw) administered under Deed of Grant in Trust by community councils since the mid-1980s, were part of the Shire's area, but they were formally excised and given a new status as Aboriginal Shires.The Shire of Carpentaria includes the following settlements