Shire of West Arthur

The Shire of West Arthur is a local government area in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, generally to the west of Albany Highway about 200 kilometres (124 mi) south-east of Perth, the state capital. The Shire covers an area of 2,834 square kilometres (1,094 sq mi) and its seat of government is the town of Darkan. Industries within the Shire, worth approximately $45 million per year to the State's economy,^[2] are dominated by wool and sheep, and also include timber, grain, forestry, beef, pigs, cattle hide tanning, engineering and earthmoving.

Shire of West Arthur Western Australia
Shire Of West Arthur offices
Location in Western Australia
Population	773 (LGA 2021)[1]
Established	1896
Area	2,834.2 km2 (1,094.3 sq mi)
Shire President	Neil Morrell
Council seat	Darkan
Region	Wheatbelt
State electorate(s)	Roe
Federal division(s)	O'Connor
Website	Shire of West Arthur
LGAs around Shire of West Arthur: Collie Williams Narrogin Collie Shire of West Arthur Wagin Boyup Brook Kojonup Woodanilling

History

The West Arthur Road District was created on 10 January 1896. On 1 July 1961, it became the Shire of West Arthur under the Local Government Act 1960, which reformed all remaining road districts into shires.^[3] The name relates to its position with respect to the former Arthur Road District, which was renamed to Wagin in 1905.

Wards

The ward system was discontinued on 20 October 2007 and all nine councillors represent the entire shire.

Previously, the shire was divided into four wards:

• North West (three councillors)
• North East (two councillors)
• South East (two councillors)
• South West (two councillors)

Towns and localities

The towns and localities of the Shire of West Arthur with population and size figures based on the most recent Australian census:^[4][5]

Locality	Population	Area	Map
Arthur River	66 (SAL 2021)[6]	476.9 km2 (184.1 sq mi)
Bokal	42 (SAL 2021)[7]	211.3 km2 (81.6 sq mi)
Bowelling	84 (SAL 2021)[8]	699.6 km2 (270.1 sq mi)
Darkan	371 (SAL 2021)[9]	668.2 km2 (258.0 sq mi)
Duranillin	53 (SAL 2021)[10]	172.7 km2 (66.7 sq mi)
Mokup	62 (SAL 2021)[11]	282 km2 (109 sq mi)
Moodiarrup	63 (SAL 2021)[12]	156.4 km2 (60.4 sq mi)
Trigwell	31 (SAL 2021)[13]	162.9 km2 (62.9 sq mi)

Former towns

• Boolading

Population

Historical population

Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1911 674 —     1921 624 −0.77% 1933 1,047 +4.41% 1947 876 −1.27% 1954 1,295 +5.74% 1961 1,398 +1.10% 1966 1,427 +0.41% 1971 1,303 −1.80% 1976 1,293 −0.15%

Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1981 1,288 −0.08% 1986 1,118 −2.79% 1991 973 −2.74% 1996 985 +0.25% 2001 863 −2.61% 2006 858 −0.12% 2011 868 +0.23% 2016 809 −1.40% 2021 773 −0.91%

Heritage-listed places

Main article: List of State Register of Heritage Places in the Shire of West Arthur

The state heritage listed Old Tillellan Shearing Quarters at Arthur River in 2021

As of 2023, 60 places are heritage-listed in the Shire of West Arthur,^[14] of which three are on the State Register of Heritage Places.^[15]

References

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "West Arthur (Local Government Area)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
2. Agriculture WA (July 2000). "Agriculture Statistical Overview 96/97 - Shire of West Arthur" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 September 2006. Retrieved 15 November 2006.
3. "Municipality Boundary Amendments Register" (PDF). Western Australian Electoral Distribution Commission. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
4. "SLIP Map". maps.slip.wa.gov.au. Landgate. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
5. "NationalMap". nationalmap.gov.au. Geoscience Australia. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
6. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Arthur River (WA) (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
7. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Bokal (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
8. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Bowelling (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
9. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Darkan (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
10. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Duranillin (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
11. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Mokup (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
12. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Moodiarrup (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
13. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Trigwell (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
14. "Shire of West Arthur Heritage Places". inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au. Heritage Council of Western Australia. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
15. "Shire of West Arthur State Register of Heritage Places". inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au. Heritage Council of Western Australia. Retrieved 25 February 2023.

External links

• Official website

33°20′17″S 116°44′35″E