Greenbushes, Western Australia

Greenbushes is a timber and mining town located in the South West region of Western Australia. The 2016 population was 362.[1]

Greenbushes
Western Australia
Blackwood Road in Greenbushes, in the 1920s
Greenbushes
Coordinates33.849°S 116.059°E / -33.849; 116.059
Population362 (2016 census)[1]
Established1889
Postcode(s)6254
Location250 km (155 mi) S of Perth
LGA(s)Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes
State electorate(s)Blackwood-Stirling
Federal Division(s)O'Connor

History

Greenbushes was founded as a mining town in 1888 following a surveyor's discovery of tin in 1886.[2] Greenbushes was named after the bright green bushes that contrasted against the grey eucalyptus trees.[3] The railway from Donnybrook to Bridgetown opened in 1898, with Greenbushes station located approximately six kilometres north of the main townsite.[3] The area surrounding the train station was renamed North Greenbushes to reduce confusion.[3]

The town experienced a period of economic boom until the international price of tin slumped in 1893, which caused the Greenbushes industry to collapse.[2] By 1913, approximately one quarter of Greenbushes' inhabitants were working in the timber industry, which was established shortly after the first mine.[2]

Industry

Greenbushes' two major industries are mining, producing tantalite concentrates, lithium minerals, tin metal and kaolin; and timber milling.[4] Agriculture, viticulture, tourism and art galleries are also part of Greenbushes' industry.[4]

The Greenbushes mine, located to the south of the town, has produced lithium concentrate since 1985.[5]

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Greenbushes (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  2. "Travel: Greenbushes". The Sydney Morning Herald. 8 February 2004. Retrieved 15 January 2008.
  3. Western Australian Land Information Authority. "History of country town names – G". Retrieved 15 January 2008.
  4. "Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes: Business and Industry". Archived from the original on 14 May 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2008.
  5. "Greenbushes Lithium Operations". Archived from the original on 2 February 2018. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
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