Shire of Halls Creek

The Shire of Halls Creek is one of the four local government areas in the Kimberley Region of northern Western Australia, covering an area of 143,030 square kilometres (55,224 sq mi), most of which is sparsely populated. The Shire's seat of government is the town of Halls Creek. Many Aboriginal communities are located within the shire.

Shire of Halls Creek
Western Australia
Population3,269 (2016 census)[1]
 • Density0.022855/km2 (0.059195/sq mi)
Established1887
Area143,030 km2 (55,224.2 sq mi)
PresidentMalcolm Edwards
Council seatHalls Creek
RegionKimberley
State electorate(s)Kimberley
Federal Division(s)Durack
WebsiteShire of Halls Creek
LGAs around Shire of Halls Creek:
Derby-West Kimberley Wyndham-East Kimberley Victoria Daly (NT)
Derby-West Kimberley Shire of Halls Creek Victoria Daly (NT)
East Pilbara East Pilbara Central Desert (NT)

The Purnululu National Park, home to part of the Bungle Bungle Range, and Gregory Lake are within the Shire, as is the Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater National Park.

History

The Shire of Halls Creek originated as the Kimberley Goldfields Road District on 10 February 1887. It was renamed the Halls Creek Road District on 8 January 1915. On 1 July 1961, it became a shire following the passage of the Local Government Act 1960, which reformed all remaining road districts into shires.[2]

The area is home to many large cattle stations including Bedford Downs Station which was established some time prior to 1906 by the Buchanan and Gordon Brothers, the property experienced many difficulties including the spearing of cattle and isolation of the area. In two years nearly a dozen men had also been murdered by the traditional owners.[3]

Other properties in the area include Alice Downs, Louisa Downs, Moola Bulla, Springvale and Ruby Plains Station.

Wards

The Shire is divided into three wards.

  • Town Ward (four councillors)
  • South Ward (three councillors)
  • North Ward (one councillor)

A review of wards and representation was carried out in late 2008 and, at its December 2008 meeting, the Council resolved to recommend to the Local Government Advisory Board that the wards be abolished.

Towns

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Halls Creek (S)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  2. "Municipality Boundary Amendments Register" (PDF). Western Australian Electoral Distribution Commission. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  3. "The Kimberley Cattle Industry". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 22 November 1907. p. 7. Retrieved 2 December 2013.

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