Drummond Cove, Western Australia

Coordinates: 28°40′23″S 114°36′47″E / 28.673°S 114.613°E / -28.673; 114.613

Drummond Cove is a coastal town located 12 kilometres (7 mi) north of Geraldton, Western Australia in the local government area of the City of Greater Geraldton. The locality was gazetted in 1985.^[2]

History

^[3]

The area at Drummond Cove was home to aboriginal people and is part of the Yamatji Country of Western Australia. The bay was initially known as Smugglers Cove as a result of smuggling activities landing contraband for the lead mines to the north.

In 1851 William Burges, who was the local magistrate, thought that the main port and town should be established at Drummond Cove because of the availability of water, access to inland towns and stable foreshore. However the shallow cove was unsuitable for shipping and Geraldton was chosen as the main settlement. Also in 1851 John Nicol Drummond, who was First Constable of Native Police of Western Australia in the Champion Bay area, acquired land next to the police reserve in the area. Over the next few year he acquired additional adjoining land.

On the 19th February 1852 he married Mary Shaw of Belvoir, Upper Swan and subsequently built a stone and thatch cottage where they lived for a number of years. In their memory the bay was rechristened Drummond's Cove.

In the 1930s Macedonian families moved into the area and established tomato gardens along the side of Chapman Road

In the early 1940s cray fishermen began arriving for the fishing season. They built shacks overlooking the cove, so they were close to where the pulled their pots.

In 1950 the Upper Chapman Road Board was granted title to 30 acres of land surrounding the cove, where the board created 24 cottage blocks along the beach front. The blocks were leased and by 1964, when the Shire of Greenough acquired the land a small community had been established. Leases were extended from 3 years, to 10 years, to 21 years, promoting further development.

Eventually most lease holders were granted freehold title to the land.

On 31st December 2016, all land between Whitehill Road and the shore reverted to the Crown as "foreshore reserve" and all houses have since been demolished.

Demographics

In the 2011 census, Drummond Cove had a population of 1391,^[4] which represents a growth of 154% since the 2001 census.^[5]

Drummond Cove residents have a median age of 33, and above average median income for the region — $761 per week, compared with $604 per week. The population of Drummond Cove is predominantly Australian-born - 82.4% as at the 2011 census - while 4.74% were born in the United Kingdom. 1.15% reported one or more parents of Italian birth.

References