Wurankuwu (Ranku) is a small community on the western side of Bathurst Island. The Portaminni family, Traditional Owners of Ranku, signed their 99-year Township Lease in 2011.  

It was established in 1994 as a resource and population centre on a site formerly used as a military depot during World War II. As a legacy from that time Wurankuwu has an airstrip and jetty. The community has a fluctuating population due to issues with access during the wet season.

Following the COVID pandemic, the number of residents in Ranku had dropped as people had moved to Wurrumiyanga to be closer to services and as result of the depleted housing stock and closure of the Ranku store and school.  After discussions at the Ranku Consultative Forum where the Portaminni family members expressed an aspiration to return to the community, OTL sought funding to upgrade the housing and associated infrastructure in Ranku.

As a result, the number of residents returning to live in Ranku is on the rise as OTL continues to work closely with Portaminni Traditional Owners to upgrade existing housing and related infrastructure. This work has been funded with support from NIAA and the project is being managed by the Northern Territory Government.  

The upgrades were completed in 2025, with the expectation that families would take up residence in the second half of the year..

In addition to these essential services, OTL is working in partnership with the Portaminni family to develop commercial activity within the Township Lease. This includes supporting feasibility work on a prawn farm, and the potential for tourism. These aspirations are included in a recently completed masterplan for Ranku which will guide the future development of the Township in the years to come.