Shire of Greenough

This article is about a former local government area in Western Australia. For its replacement, see City of Geraldton-Greenough.
Shire of Greenough
Western Australia
Location in Western Australia
Population15,394 (2007)[1]
 • Density8.7865/km2 (22.7570/sq mi)
Established1951
Abolished2007
Area1,752.0 km2 (676.5 sq mi)
MayorE J (John) Sewell
Council seatUtakarra
RegionMid West
State electorate(s)Greenough
Federal division(s)O'Connor
LGAs around Shire of Greenough:
Geraldton Chapman Valley Mullewa
Indian Ocean Shire of Greenough Mullewa
Indian Ocean Irwin Irwin

The Shire of Greenough was a local government area in the Mid West region of Western Australia, 420 kilometres (261 mi) north of the state capital, Perth surrounding the city of Geraldton. The Shire covered an area of 1,752 square kilometres (676.5 sq mi), and its seat of government was the outer Geraldton suburb of Utakarra.

Historically a rural area, with the growth of Geraldton in recent years as a port and city, the areas of the Shire closest to Geraldton became increasingly urbanised. The council amalgamated with the City of Geraldton in 2007 to form the City of Geraldton-Greenough. On 1 July 2011 it became part of the City of Greater Geraldton.

History

The Shire of Greenough originated as the Geraldton-Greenough Road District, which was established on 21 December 1951 with the amalgamation of the Geraldton Road District and the Greenough Road District. It was declared a shire as the Shire of Geraldton-Greenough with effect from 1 July 1961 following the passage of the Local Government Act 1960, which reformed all remaining road districts into shires. It was renamed the Shire of Greenough on 19 March 1965.[2]

It ceased to exist in 2007 when it merged with the City of Geraldton to form the City of Geraldton-Greenough.

Amalgamation

A recommendation was made to the Minister for Local Government by the Local Government Advisory Board in August 2006 to amalgamate the Shire of Greenough with the City of Geraldton.

The Greenough electors successfully petitioned for a referendum to determine whether amalgamation should proceed. This was held on 2 December 2006, and with a participation rate of 28.74%, a majority of 80% voted against the proposal.[3] However, under the Local Government Act 1995 (clause 10 of Schedule 2.1) as the vote did not attract 50% of registered voters, it did not meet the requirements for a valid poll.[4]

The councillors of both local government authorities resigned at the end of April 2007, and the first elections for new councillors took place in October 2007.

Wards

The Shire was divided into four wards until 2005 – West and Tarcoola Wards, each with four councillors, and North and South wards, each with two councillors. In May 2005, due to a redistribution of boundaries, the Central and Wandina Wards, each with four councillors, and the Chapman North Ward with three councillors were created.

Towns and localities

Localities/suburbs:

Towns:

Population

Year Population
1921 1,375
1933 1,556
1947 1,567
1954 1,371
1961 1,321
1966 1,594
1971 1,920
1976 2,979
1981 4,612
1986 5,798
1991 7,626
1996 10,337
2001 11,927
2006 13,545

References

  1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 March 2008). "Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2007–08 – Western Australia". Retrieved 11 October 2009.
  2. ^ "Municipality Boundary Amendments Register" (PDF). Western Australian Electoral Distribution Commission. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  3. ^ Western Australian Electoral Commission (2 December 2006). "Greenough – Voting in Person Referendum". Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 28 April 2007.
  4. ^ "Inquiry Reports – Geraldton Greenough Inquiry Report". Local Government Advisory Board. December 2006. Archived from the original on 15 May 2009. Retrieved 28 April 2007.

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