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Coordinates: 32°S 118°E / 32°S 118°E / -32; 118
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{{Short description|Region of Western Australia}}
[[File:Wheatbelt Map .gif|thumb|This map show the different town throughout the Wheatbelt region. ]]
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2013}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2013}}
{{Infobox Australian place

| name = Wheatbelt
[[Image:Wa region wheatbelt.gif|thumb|right|Location of the wheatbelt region within Western Australia]]
| state = wa
[[Image:Yealering grain receival and storage.JPG|thumb|right|Grain receival and storage facility at Yealering]][[Image:Wheatbelt Versalzungsschaden.JPG|thumb|right|Land degradation caused by [[salinity]], near [[Babakin, Western Australia|Babakin]]]]
| type = region
| image = {{center|
<mapframe text="Location of the Wheatbelt region in Western Australia" width="300" height="300" zoom="5" latitude="-31" longitude="118">
{ "type": "ExternalData", "service": "page", "title": "Western Australian region - Wheatbelt.map" }
</mapframe>
}}
| lga = {{Collapsible list|
*[[Shire of Beverley|Beverley]]
*[[Shire of Brookton|Brookton]]
*[[Shire of Bruce Rock|Bruce Rock]]
*[[Shire of Chittering|Chittering]]
*[[Shire of Corrigin|Corrigin]]
*[[Shire of Cuballing|Cuballing]]
*[[Shire of Cunderdin|Cunderdin]]
*[[Shire of Dandaragan|Dandaragan]]
*[[Shire of Dalwallinu|Dalwallinu]]
*[[Shire of Dowerin|Dowerin]]
*[[Shire of Dumbleyung|Dumbleyung]]
*[[Shire of Gingin|Gingin]]
*[[Shire of Goomalling|Goomalling]]
*[[Shire of Kellerberrin|Kellerberrin]]
*[[Shire of Kondinin|Kondinin]]
*[[Shire of Koorda|Koorda]]
*[[Shire of Kulin|Kulin]]
*[[Shire of Lake Grace|Lake Grace]]
*[[Shire of Merredin|Merredin]]
*[[Shire of Moora|Moora]]
*[[Shire of Mount Marshall|Mount Marshall]]
*[[Shire of Mukinbudin|Mukinbudin]]
*[[Shire of Narembeen|Narembeen]]
*[[Shire of Narrogin|Narrogin]]
*[[Shire of Northam|Northam]]
*[[Shire of Nungarin|Nungarin]]
*[[Shire of Pingelly|Pingelly]]
*[[Shire of Quairading|Quairading]]
*[[Shire of Tammin|Tammin]]
*[[Shire of Toodyay|Toodyay]]
*[[Shire of Trayning|Trayning]]
*[[Shire of Victoria Plains|Victoria Plains]]
*[[Shire of Wagin|Wagin]]
*[[Shire of Wandering|Wandering]]
*[[Shire of West Arthur|West Arthur]]
*[[Shire of Westonia|Westonia]]
*[[Shire of Wickepin|Wickepin]]
*[[Shire of Williams|Williams]]
*[[Shire of Wongan-Ballidu|Wongan-Ballidu]]
*[[Shire of Wyalkatchem|Wyalkatchem]]
*[[Shire of Yilgarn|Yilgarn]]
*[[Shire of York|York]]
}}
| stategov = [[Electoral district of Central Wheatbelt|Central Wheatbelt]]
| stategov2 = [[Electoral district of Moore|Moore]]
| stategov3 = [[Electoral district of Roe|Roe]]
| fedgov = [[Division of Durack|Durack]]
| fedgov2 = [[Division of O'Connor|O'Connor]]
| fedgov3 = [[Division of Pearce|Pearce]]
}}
[[File:WA Wheatbelt A4.jpg|thumb|Location of the Wheatbelt within Western Australia]]
[[Image:Yealering grain receival and storage.JPG|thumb|right|Grain receival and storage facility at Yealering]]
[[Image:Wheatbelt Versalzungsschaden.JPG|thumb|right|[[Land degradation]] caused by excessive clearing with resulting [[salinity]], near [[Babakin, Western Australia|Babakin]]]]
[[Image:Bencubbin-Kellerberrin Road, 2014(2).JPG|thumb|right|Bencubbin–Kellerberrin Road]]
[[Image:Bencubbin-Kellerberrin Road, 2014(2).JPG|thumb|right|Bencubbin–Kellerberrin Road]]


The '''wheatbelt''' region is one of the nine [[regions of Western Australia]].{{efn|At least some early twentieth century references have "wheat belt" as two separate words.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article27788738 |title=THE WHEAT BELT. |newspaper=[[Perth Gazette|The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954)]] |location=Perth, WA |date=13 October 1920 |accessdate=11 September 2015 |page=7 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article87202648 |title=The New Agricultural Commissioner for Western Australia's Wheat Belt. |newspaper=[[Bunbury Herald |Bunbury Herald (WA : 1892 - 1919)]] |location=WA |date=27 April 1911 |accessdate=11 September 2015 |page=3 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>}} It partially surrounds the [[Perth metropolitan area]], extending north from Perth to the [[Mid West (Western Australia)|Mid West]] region, and east to the [[Goldfields-Esperance]] region. It is bordered to the south by the [[South West (Western Australia)|South West]] and [[Great Southern (Western Australia)|Great Southern]] regions, and to the west by the [[Indian Ocean]], the Perth metropolitan area, and the [[Peel (Western Australia)|Peel]] region. Altogether, it has an area of {{convert|154862|km2|sqmi|0}} (including islands).In the Wheatbelt region there are 43 local government authorities with an estimated population of 75,000 residents (Government of Western Australia Department of Regional Development [GWADRD], 2014<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.drd.wa.gov.au/Publications/Documents/A_region_in_profile_2014_Wheatbelt.pdf#search=2014%20wheatbelt|title=Government of Western Australia department of Regional Development|last=|first=|date=2014|website=Wheatbelt: a region in profile 2014|publisher=|access-date=}}</ref>). The Wheatbelt region accounts for approximately three per cent of Western Australia’s population (GWADRD, 2014)<ref name=":0" />.The Wheatbelt is located in the central East of Western Australia, as seen on the map. <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wocs.com.au|title=Welcome - Wheatbelt Organisation for Children's Services [WOCS]|website=www.wocs.com.au|access-date=2016-05-17}}</ref>
The '''Wheatbelt''' is one of nine [[regions of Western Australia]] defined as administrative areas for the state's regional development, and a vernacular term for the area converted to agriculture during colonisation.{{efn|Some early twentieth century references have "wheat belt" as two separate words.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article27788738 |title=THE WHEAT BELT. |newspaper=[[The West Australian]] |location=Perth |date=13 October 1920 |access-date=11 September 2015 |page=7 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article87202648 |title=The New Agricultural Commissioner for Western Australia's Wheat Belt. |newspaper=[[Bunbury Herald]] |location=WA |date=27 April 1911 |access-date=11 September 2015 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>}} It partially surrounds the [[Perth metropolitan area]], extending north from Perth to the [[Mid West (Western Australia)|Mid West]] region, and east to the [[Goldfields–Esperance]] region. It is bordered to the south by the [[South West (Western Australia)|South West]] and [[Great Southern (Western Australia)|Great Southern]] regions, and to the west by the [[Indian Ocean]], the Perth metropolitan area, and the [[Peel (Western Australia)|Peel]] region. Altogether, it has an area of {{convert|154862|km2|sqmi|0}} (including islands).
The region has 42 local government authorities, with an estimated population of 75,000 residents. The Wheatbelt accounts for approximately three per cent of Western Australia's population.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.drd.wa.gov.au/Publications/Documents/A_region_in_profile_2014_Wheatbelt.pdf#search=2014%20wheatbelt|title=Government of Western Australia Department of Regional Development|date=2014|work=Wheatbelt: a region in profile 2014|access-date=17 May 2016|archive-date=19 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019101857/http://www.drd.wa.gov.au/Publications/Documents/A_region_in_profile_2014_Wheatbelt.pdf#search=2014%20wheatbelt|url-status=dead}}</ref>


== Ecosystems==
== Ecosystems==
The wheatbelt encompasses a range of ecosystems and, as a result, there are a range of industries operating in the region.


The area, once a diverse ecosystem, reduced when clearing began in the 1890s with the removal of plant species such as eucalypt woodlands and [[Mallee Woodlands and Shrublands|mallee]], is now home to around 11% of Australia's critically endangered plants.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Silcock|first1=Jen|title=Hanging on: What does it mean to be Red Hot?: Australia's most imperilled plants and their recovery|journal=Wildlife Australia|date=1 September 2016|volume=53|issue=3|url=http://search.informit.com.au/fullText;dn=360043347847795;res=IELAPA|language=en}}</ref>
In the [[Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia]] there are a number of subdivisions such as the Avon Wheatbelt (AVW), and a further breakdown of Avon Wheatbelt P1 (AW1) and Avon Wheatbelt P2 (AW2), Jarrah Forest, Geraldton Sandplain and Mallee regions.


A number of nationally threatened birds reside in the Wheatbelt, including the endangered [[Carnaby's black cockatoo]] and the vulnerable [[malleefowl]].<ref>[https://www.environment.gov.au/resource/nationally-threatened-birds-western-wheatbelt Nationally threatened birds of the Western wheatbelt] Australian government, Environment Australia 2000, accessed 7 May 2019</ref>
== Industry/economy==
Near the coast, the region receives relatively high rainfall and mild temperatures, and its {{convert|150|km|mi|0}} of coastline is a significant [[tourism|tourist]] area. In contrast, the eastern fringe is very arid, and is mainly used for [[pastoral farming]] of sheep. [[Mining]] of [[gold]], [[nickel]] and [[iron ore]] also occurs. The remainder of the region is highly suited to [[agriculture]], and is the source of nearly two thirds of the state's [[wheat]] production, half of its [[wool]] production, and the majority of its [[lamb and mutton]], [[orange (fruit)|oranges]], [[honey]], cut flowers and a range of other agricultural and pastoral products.


The Wheatbelt encompasses a range of ecosystems and, as a result, there are a range of industries operating in the region.{{clarify|date=October 2018}}<!-- ecotourism, twitchers, orchid hunters, a long list I imagine -->
There are 4 main contributors to the Wheatbelt’s economy, which are the agriculture and farming, mining, fishing and aquaculture, and retail (Government of Western Australia Department of Regional Development, 2014)<ref name=":0" />. Agriculture and farming was valued at 3.6 billion in 2011 to 2012, which accounts for 46 per cent of the Wheatbelt economy (GWADRD, 2014)<ref name=":0" />. Government of Western Australia of Regional Development (2014)<ref name=":0" /> shows agriculture and farming is divided in three areas with crops being the most extensive contributor taking up 80 per cent of the agriculture and farming wealth. Followed by livestock disposals with 11 per cent and livestock products at 9 per cent (GWADRD, 2014)<ref name=":0" />. Mining is the next biggest contributor adding a value of 2.5 billion dollars (GWADRD, 2014)<ref name=":0" />. Mining wealth is divided in 4 areas; the biggest contributor is iron ore adding 56 per cent to the overall value (GWADRD, 2014)<ref name=":0" />. Government of Western Australia Department of Regional Development (2014)<ref name=":0" /> shows nickel, copper and salt are the next highest contributor only adding 18 per cent to the overall value, followed closely by Gypsum and heavy minerals and sand added a value of 17 per cent, and a small 9% for other mining and mineral processing. Retail adds 569 million to the overall economy wealth, which has been on the rise, increasing by 50 per cent in the past 10 years (GWADRD, 2014)<ref name=":0" />. Last higher value contributor is fishing and aquaculture adding 56 million to overall value shown by Government of Western Australia Department of Regional Development (2014)<ref name=":0" />. Aquaculture only adds 1 million to the value of fishing and aquaculture (GWADRD, 2014)<ref name=":0" />.

In the [[Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia]] there are a number of subdivisions such as the [[Avon Wheatbelt]] (AVW), and a further breakdown of Avon Wheatbelt P1 (AW1) and Avon Wheatbelt P2 (AW2), [[Jarrah Forest]], [[Geraldton Sandplains]] and [[Mallee (biogeographic region)|Mallee]] regions.

== Industry and economy==
Near the coast, the region receives relatively high rainfall and mild temperatures, and its {{convert|150|km|mi|0}} of coastline is a significant [[tourism|tourist]] area. In contrast, the eastern fringe is very arid, and is mainly used for [[pastoral farming]] of sheep. [[Mining]] of [[gold]], [[nickel]] and [[iron ore]] also occurs. The remainder of the region is highly suited to [[agriculture]], and is the source of nearly two thirds of the state's [[wheat]] production, half of its [[wool]] production, and the majority of its [[lamb and mutton]], [[orange (fruit)|oranges]], [[honey]], cut flowers and a range of other agricultural and pastoral products.


==Change==
==Change==
With a range of climate and economic changes in the region, considerable effort is made by government at all levels to cope with the decline of some communities, and create opportunities for ventures that keep population in the region.<ref>http://www.wheatbelt.wa.gov.au/ Wheatbelt Development Commission</ref>
With a range of climate and economic changes in the region, considerable effort is made by government at all levels to cope with the decline of some communities, and create opportunities for ventures that keep population in the region.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wheatbelt.wa.gov.au/ |title=Wheatbelt Development Commission|access-date=7 April 2024}}</ref>
Cultural change with population changes in many localities has been identified by local museums and historical societies, including online documentation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wheatbelttourism.com/heritage-the-arts/museums-in-the-wheatbelt/|title=Museums in the wheatbelt|access-date=7 April 2024}}</ref>

:Bruce Rock

:Corrigin

:Cunderdin

:Dowering

:Goomalling

:Hyden

:Kellerberrin

:Koorda

:Kulin

:Lake Grace

:Meckering

:Merredin

:Narrembeen

:Newdegate

:Nungarin

:Southern Cross

:Westonia

:Wyalkatchem

:Yelbeni


Also the literary tradition of writers including the wheatbelt in their writing included:<ref>{{Citation | author1=Hughes-d'Aeth, Tony | author2=ProQuest (Firm) | title=Like nothing on this earth : [a literary history of the wheatbelt] | publication-date=2017 | publisher=UWA Publishing | isbn=978-1-76080-163-2}}</ref>

:[[Albert Facey]]

:[[Peter Cowan (writer)|Peter Cowan]]

:[[Dorothy Hewett]]

:[[Jack Davis (playwright)|Jack Davis]]

:[[Elizabeth Jolley]]

:[[John Kinsella (poet)|John Kinsella]]


Lesser known writers also have the wheatbelt environment in their writing such as [[Lilian Wooster Greaves]].
== Agriculture and Farming ==
According to the Government of Western Australia Department of Regional Development (2014)<ref name=":0" /> the most substantial farming and agricultural region in Western Australia is the Wheatbelt Region. Agriculture and farming is spilt into the three areas in the Wheatbelt, which are crops, livestock products and live stock disposal (GWADRD, 2014)<ref name=":0" />. Government of Western Australia Department of Regional Development (2014)<ref name=":0" /> explains that there are three main crops that the Wheatbelt region produces, including wheat, barley, and grain oats. The Wheatbelt Region produces 50 per cent of Western Australia’s total wheat production, 36 per cent of Western Australia’s Barley production, and 70 per cent of Western Australia’s grain oats production according to Government of Western Australia Department of Regional Development (2014)<ref name=":0" />. The Wheatbelt region livestock disposal greatest production consists of sheep and lamb slaughtering, which is 11 per cent of the Wheatbelt region economy (GWADRD, 2014)<ref name=":0" />. Government of Western Australia Department of Regional Development (2014)<ref name=":0" /> stats that livestock products in the Wheatbelt region consist highly of wool production, which has now become over half Western Australia’s production.  


==Transport==
==Transport==
{{see also|Major roads in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia}}
{{see also|Major roads in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia}}
The wheatbelt once had an extensive [[Wheatbelt railway lines of Western Australia|railway system]], which transported bulk wheat grain. It has been reduced in part, while the main lines are being supported.
The Wheatbelt once had an extensive [[Wheatbelt railway lines of Western Australia|railway system]], which transported bulk wheat grain. It has been reduced in part, while the main lines are being supported. Grain is transported on those lines to ports for export from the [[CBH grain receival points]] (grain [[silo]]s), which are primarily located in the Wheatbelt region.


There are six main highways through the wheatbelt that radiate out from Perth: [[Brand Highway]] (north-west to {{WAcity|Geraldton}}), [[Great Northern Highway]] (north-east to {{WAcity|Wyndham}}), [[Great Eastern Highway]] (east to {{WAcity|Kalgoorlie}}), [[Great Southern Highway]] (east to {{WAcity|York}}, then south to {{WAcity|Cranbrook}}), [[Brookton Highway]] (east-south-east to {{WAcity|Brookton}}), and [[Albany Highway]] (south-east to {{WAcity|Albany}}). A network of main roads connects towns within the wheatbelt to each other, the highways, and neighbouring regions, with local roads providing additional links and access to smaller townsites. Roads are often named after the towns they connect.<ref>{{cite MRWA map|WB-ISA|accessdate=5 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite MRWA map|WN|accessdate=5 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite MRWA map|WS|accessdate=5 October 2013}}</ref>
Six main highways radiating out from Perth serve the Wheatbelt: [[Brand Highway]] (north-west to {{WAcity|Geraldton}}), [[Great Northern Highway]] (north-east to {{WAcity|Wyndham}}), [[Great Eastern Highway]] (east to {{WAcity|Kalgoorlie}}), [[Great Southern Highway]] (east to {{WAcity|York}}, then south to {{WAcity|Cranbrook}}), [[Brookton Highway]] (east-south-east to {{WAcity|Brookton}}), and [[Albany Highway]] (south-east to {{WAcity|Albany}}). A network of main roads connects towns within the Wheatbelt to each other, the highways, and neighbouring regions, with local roads providing additional links and access to smaller townsites. Roads are often named after the towns they connect.<ref>{{cite MRWA map|WB-ISA|access-date=5 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite MRWA map|WN|access-date=5 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite MRWA map|WS|access-date=5 October 2013}}</ref>


==Local government areas==
==Local government areas==


The following list is those shires listed in the wheatbelt region as designated by the wheatbelt Development Commission.<ref>http://wheatbelt.wa.gov.au/Maps - the most helpful maps being the "Wheatbelt Development Commission Map"</ref> Some shires in adjoining regions are traditionally considered part of the Wheatbelt - there are shires in the Great Southern, Goldfields-Esperance and Mid West regions that are dominantly grain growing areas.
The following list is the shires listed in the Wheatbelt as designated by the Wheatbelt Development Commission.<ref>http://wheatbelt.wa.gov.au/Maps – the most helpful maps being the "Wheatbelt Development Commission Map"</ref> Some shires in adjoining regions are traditionally considered part of the Wheatbelt – there are shires in the Great Southern, Goldfields-Esperance and Mid West regions that are dominantly grain growing areas.
{{refbegin|20em}}
All but one of the wheatbelt region's [[Local Government Areas of Western Australia|local government areas]] are [[Shire#Shires in Australia|shires]]:
{{Refbegin|3}}
*[[Shire of Beverley|Beverley]]
*[[Shire of Beverley|Beverley]]
*[[Shire of Brookton|Brookton]]
*[[Shire of Brookton|Brookton]]
Line 59: Line 177:
*[[Shire of Mukinbudin|Mukinbudin]]
*[[Shire of Mukinbudin|Mukinbudin]]
*[[Shire of Narembeen|Narembeen]]
*[[Shire of Narembeen|Narembeen]]
*[[Shire of Narrogin|Narrogin (Shire)]]
*[[Shire of Narrogin|Narrogin]]
*[[Town of Narrogin|Narrogin (Town)]]
*[[Shire of Northam|Northam]]
*[[Shire of Northam|Northam]]
*[[Shire of Nungarin|Nungarin]]
*[[Shire of Nungarin|Nungarin]]
Line 81: Line 198:
{{Refend}}
{{Refend}}


[[File:Wheatbelt panorama-2.JPG|thumb|left|700px|Wheat growing north-east of Northam, Western Australia]]
[[File:Wheatbelt panorama-2.JPG|thumb|left|800px|Wheat growing north-east of Northam]]
{{clear}}
{{clear}}


==Sub-regions within the wheatbelt==
==Sub-regions within the Wheatbelt==


There are numerous subdivisions of the wheatbelt, and in most cases the separation is by local government areas.
There are numerous subdivisions of the Wheatbelt, and in most cases the separation is by local government areas.


===Wheatbelt Development Commission===
===Wheatbelt Development Commission===
<!-- This section linked from redirect [[Wheatbelt Development Commission]] -->
<!-- This section linked from redirect [[Wheatbelt Development Commission]] -->


The '''Wheatbelt Development Commission'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wheatbelt.wa.gov.aus|title=Wheatbelt Development Commission|accessdate=2 October 2013}}</ref> (WDC) breaks the region up into five sub-regions with five offices:
The '''Wheatbelt Development Commission'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wheatbelt.wa.gov.au|title=Wheatbelt Development Commission|access-date=2 October 2013}}</ref> (WDC) breaks the region up into five sub-regions with four offices:
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}

* Avon
* Avon
**[[Shire of Beverley]]
**[[Shire of Beverley]]
Line 99: Line 216:
**[[Shire of Goomalling]]
**[[Shire of Goomalling]]
**[[Shire of Koorda]]
**[[Shire of Koorda]]
**[[Shire of Northam]]
**[[Shire of Northam]] – WDC office in [[Northam, Western Australia|Northam]]
**[[Shire of Quairading]]
**[[Shire of Quairading]]
**[[Shire of Tammin]]
**[[Shire of Tammin]]
Line 106: Line 223:
**[[Shire of York]]
**[[Shire of York]]
* Central Coast, comprising:
* Central Coast, comprising:
**[[Shire of Chittering]]
**[[Shire of Dandaragan]] - WDC office in [[Jurien Bay, Western Australia|Jurien Bay]]
**[[Shire of Dandaragan]]
**[[Shire of Gingin]]
**[[Shire of Gingin]]
* Central Midlands, comprising:
* Central Midlands, comprising:
**[[Shire of Chittering]]
**[[Shire of Dalwallinu]]
**[[Shire of Dalwallinu]]
**[[Shire of Moora]] - WDC office in [[Moora, Western Australia|Moora]]
**[[Shire of Moora]] – WDC office in [[Moora, Western Australia|Moora]]
**[[Shire of Victoria Plains]]
**[[Shire of Victoria Plains]]
**[[Shire of Wongan-Ballidu]]
**[[Shire of Wongan-Ballidu]]
Line 117: Line 234:
**[[Shire of Bruce Rock]]
**[[Shire of Bruce Rock]]
**[[Shire of Kellerberrin]]
**[[Shire of Kellerberrin]]
**[[Shire of Merredin]] - WDC office in [[Merredin, Western Australia|Merredin]]
**[[Shire of Merredin]] – WDC office in [[Merredin, Western Australia|Merredin]]
**[[Shire of Mount Marshall]]
**[[Shire of Mount Marshall]]
**[[Shire of Mukinbudin]]
**[[Shire of Mukinbudin]]
Line 133: Line 250:
**[[Shire of Kulin]]
**[[Shire of Kulin]]
**[[Shire of Lake Grace]]
**[[Shire of Lake Grace]]
**[[Shire of Narrogin]] - WDC office in [[Narrogin, Western Australia|Narrogin]]
**[[Shire of Narrogin]] – WDC office in [[Narrogin, Western Australia|Narrogin]]
**[[Shire of Pingelly]]
**[[Shire of Pingelly]]
**[[Shire of Wagin]]
**[[Shire of Wagin]]
Line 140: Line 257:
**[[Shire of Wickepin]]
**[[Shire of Wickepin]]
**[[Shire of Williams]]
**[[Shire of Williams]]
{{div col end}}


===Tourism regions===
===Tourism regions===
Most of the Wheatbelt is included in the larger Australia's Golden Outback.<ref>{{Citation | author1=Western Australian Visitor Centre | title=Western Australia's golden outback self drive guide : Gascoyne & Murchison, Wheatbelt, Esperance & Fitzgerald Coast, Kalgoorlie & Goldfields | date=2020 | publisher=Australia's Golden Outback| url=https://www.australiasgoldenoutback.com/ | access-date=28 October 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.australiasgoldenoutback.com/region/wheatbelt-wave-rock|publisher=Australia's Golden Outback|access-date=28 October 2020|title=Western Australia's Wheatbelt Holiday Destination &#124; Australia's Golden Outback}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | author1=Western Australian Visitor Centre | title=Australia's golden outback, Western Australia : holiday planner | date=2020 | publisher=Western Australian Visitor Centre | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/33420634 | access-date=10 February 2019 }}</ref>
In some schemes such as one of the Western Australian tourism regions, all of the wheatbelt is allocated to the larger ''Australia's Golden Outback'' as the ''Wheatbelt and Wave Rock''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.australiasgoldenoutback.com/travel-destinations-outback-australia/Wheatbelt_and_Wave_Rock|title=Wheatbelt and Wave Rock|publisher=Australia's Golden Outback|accessdate=31 October 2015}}</ref>


Due to their proximity to Perth, however, the following shires are instead promoted as part of the Destination Perth region. The tourist precincts are included:<ref>{{cite web |title=Conditions of Membership |url=https://www.destinationperth.com.au/page/conditions-membership |website=Destination Perth |access-date=4 September 2022}}</ref>
However the shires within the wheatbelt are in tourist terms further divided into internal wheatbelt regions:

* The eastern wheatbelt is separated into ''Wheatbelt North East'', ''Wheatbelt Central'' and ''The Open Wheatbelt''.<ref>http://www.wheatbelttourism.com The Central Wheatbelt Visitor Centre is based in Merredin</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* Avon Valley<ref>{{cite web |title=Avon Valley |url=https://www.destinationperth.com.au/region/avon-valley |website=Destination Perth |access-date=4 September 2022}}</ref>
**[[Shire of Beverley|Beverley]]
**[[Shire of Brookton|Brookton]]
**[[Shire of Goomalling|Goomalling]]
**[[Shire of Northam|Northam]]
**[[Shire of Toodyay|Toodyay]]
**[[Shire of Victoria Plains|Victoria Plains]]
**[[Shire of York|York]]
* [[Peel (Western Australia)|Peel]] and [[Rockingham, Western Australia|Rockingham]]
**[[Shire of Wandering|Wandering]]
* Sunset Coast
**[[Shire of Gingin|Gingin]]
* [[Swan Valley (Western Australia)|Swan Valley]]
**[[Shire of Chittering|Chittering]]
{{div col end}}

Finally, the northwestern [[Shire of Dandaragan]] is promoted as part of Australia's Coral Coast region due to the presence of the larger seaside towns of [[Cervantes, Western Australia|Cervantes]] and [[Jurien Bay, Western Australia|Jurien Bay]], which developed independently of wheat-growing.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Coral Coast Highway |url=https://www.australiascoralcoast.com/plan-your-visit/driving-routes-and-maps |website=Australia's Coral Coast |access-date=4 September 2022}}</ref>

===Other regional designations===

The Wheatbelt is separated into other designations at various times as well:

*Wheatbelt North East<ref>{{Citation | author1=True, Denise | author2=Western Australia. Department of Agriculture | title=North-east wheatbelt remnant vegetation survey. Volume A, Koorda : prepared for WA Department of Agriculture | date=1995 | publisher=The Dept | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/21246115 | access-date=11 February 2019 }}</ref>
*Wheatbelt Central<ref>{{Citation | author1=Wooller, Susan J | author2=Moore, Susan A | author3=Australian Heritage Commission | author4=Western Australian Natural Environment Evaluation Panel | title=Regional assessment of the wheatbelt of Western Australia : Central Wheatbelt | date=2000 | publisher=Murdoch University | isbn=978-0-86905-746-9 }}</ref>
*The Open Wheatbelt<ref>{{Citation | author1=Promaco Geodraft | title=The Open Wheatbelt | date=2013 | publisher=[Mount Hawthorn, Western Australia] Promaco Geodraft | edition=5th edition, January 2013 | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/200182202 | access-date=11 February 2019 }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Wheatbelt (Australia)]]


==Notes==
==Notes==
Line 151: Line 298:


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book |last1=Hughes-d'Aeth |first1=Tony |title=Like Nothing on this Earth: A Literary History of the Wheatbelt |date=2017 |publisher=UWA Publishing |location=Crawley, WA |isbn=9781742589244}}
{{refend}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons}}
* [http://www.wheatbelt.wa.gov.au/ Wheatbelt Development Commission]
* [http://www.wheatbelt.wa.gov.au/ Wheatbelt Development Commission]


{{Western Australian regions}}
{{Western Australian regions}}
{{Towns Wheatbelt South WA}}


{{coord|-32|118|display=title}}
{{coord|-32|118|display=title}}
{{Commons}}


[[Category:Wheatbelt (Western Australia)| ]]
[[Category:Wheatbelt (Western Australia)| ]]

Latest revision as of 04:20, 1 May 2024

Wheatbelt
Western Australia
Map
Location of the Wheatbelt region in Western Australia
LGA(s)
List
State electorate(s)
Federal division(s)
Location of the Wheatbelt within Western Australia
Grain receival and storage facility at Yealering
Land degradation caused by excessive clearing with resulting salinity, near Babakin
Bencubbin–Kellerberrin Road

The Wheatbelt is one of nine regions of Western Australia defined as administrative areas for the state's regional development, and a vernacular term for the area converted to agriculture during colonisation.[a] It partially surrounds the Perth metropolitan area, extending north from Perth to the Mid West region, and east to the Goldfields–Esperance region. It is bordered to the south by the South West and Great Southern regions, and to the west by the Indian Ocean, the Perth metropolitan area, and the Peel region. Altogether, it has an area of 154,862 square kilometres (59,793 sq mi) (including islands).

The region has 42 local government authorities, with an estimated population of 75,000 residents. The Wheatbelt accounts for approximately three per cent of Western Australia's population.[3]

Ecosystems

[edit]

The area, once a diverse ecosystem, reduced when clearing began in the 1890s with the removal of plant species such as eucalypt woodlands and mallee, is now home to around 11% of Australia's critically endangered plants.[4]

A number of nationally threatened birds reside in the Wheatbelt, including the endangered Carnaby's black cockatoo and the vulnerable malleefowl.[5]

The Wheatbelt encompasses a range of ecosystems and, as a result, there are a range of industries operating in the region.[clarification needed]

In the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia there are a number of subdivisions such as the Avon Wheatbelt (AVW), and a further breakdown of Avon Wheatbelt P1 (AW1) and Avon Wheatbelt P2 (AW2), Jarrah Forest, Geraldton Sandplains and Mallee regions.

Industry and economy

[edit]

Near the coast, the region receives relatively high rainfall and mild temperatures, and its 150 kilometres (93 mi) of coastline is a significant tourist area. In contrast, the eastern fringe is very arid, and is mainly used for pastoral farming of sheep. Mining of gold, nickel and iron ore also occurs. The remainder of the region is highly suited to agriculture, and is the source of nearly two thirds of the state's wheat production, half of its wool production, and the majority of its lamb and mutton, oranges, honey, cut flowers and a range of other agricultural and pastoral products.

Change

[edit]

With a range of climate and economic changes in the region, considerable effort is made by government at all levels to cope with the decline of some communities, and create opportunities for ventures that keep population in the region.[6] Cultural change with population changes in many localities has been identified by local museums and historical societies, including online documentation.[7]

Bruce Rock
Corrigin
Cunderdin
Dowering
Goomalling
Hyden
Kellerberrin
Koorda
Kulin
Lake Grace
Meckering
Merredin
Narrembeen
Newdegate
Nungarin
Southern Cross
Westonia
Wyalkatchem
Yelbeni


Also the literary tradition of writers including the wheatbelt in their writing included:[8]

Albert Facey
Peter Cowan
Dorothy Hewett
Jack Davis
Elizabeth Jolley
John Kinsella

Lesser known writers also have the wheatbelt environment in their writing such as Lilian Wooster Greaves.

Transport

[edit]
See also: Major roads in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia

The Wheatbelt once had an extensive railway system, which transported bulk wheat grain. It has been reduced in part, while the main lines are being supported. Grain is transported on those lines to ports for export from the CBH grain receival points (grain silos), which are primarily located in the Wheatbelt region.

Six main highways radiating out from Perth serve the Wheatbelt: Brand Highway (north-west to Geraldton), Great Northern Highway (north-east to Wyndham), Great Eastern Highway (east to Kalgoorlie), Great Southern Highway (east to York, then south to Cranbrook), Brookton Highway (east-south-east to Brookton), and Albany Highway (south-east to Albany). A network of main roads connects towns within the Wheatbelt to each other, the highways, and neighbouring regions, with local roads providing additional links and access to smaller townsites. Roads are often named after the towns they connect.[9][10][11]

Local government areas

[edit]

The following list is the shires listed in the Wheatbelt as designated by the Wheatbelt Development Commission.[12] Some shires in adjoining regions are traditionally considered part of the Wheatbelt – there are shires in the Great Southern, Goldfields-Esperance and Mid West regions that are dominantly grain growing areas.

Wheat growing north-east of Northam

Sub-regions within the Wheatbelt

[edit]

There are numerous subdivisions of the Wheatbelt, and in most cases the separation is by local government areas.

Wheatbelt Development Commission

[edit]

The Wheatbelt Development Commission[13] (WDC) breaks the region up into five sub-regions with four offices:

Tourism regions

[edit]

Most of the Wheatbelt is included in the larger Australia's Golden Outback.[14][15][16]

Due to their proximity to Perth, however, the following shires are instead promoted as part of the Destination Perth region. The tourist precincts are included:[17]

Finally, the northwestern Shire of Dandaragan is promoted as part of Australia's Coral Coast region due to the presence of the larger seaside towns of Cervantes and Jurien Bay, which developed independently of wheat-growing.[19]

Other regional designations

[edit]

The Wheatbelt is separated into other designations at various times as well:

  • Wheatbelt North East[20]
  • Wheatbelt Central[21]
  • The Open Wheatbelt[22]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Some early twentieth century references have "wheat belt" as two separate words.[1][2]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "THE WHEAT BELT". The West Australian. Perth. 13 October 1920. p. 7. Retrieved 11 September 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ "The New Agricultural Commissioner for Western Australia's Wheat Belt". Bunbury Herald. WA. 27 April 1911. p. 3. Retrieved 11 September 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "Government of Western Australia Department of Regional Development" (PDF). Wheatbelt: a region in profile 2014. 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 October 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  4. ^ Silcock, Jen (1 September 2016). "Hanging on: What does it mean to be Red Hot?: Australia's most imperilled plants and their recovery". Wildlife Australia. 53 (3).
  5. ^ Nationally threatened birds of the Western wheatbelt Australian government, Environment Australia 2000, accessed 7 May 2019
  6. ^ "Wheatbelt Development Commission". Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  7. ^ "Museums in the wheatbelt". Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  8. ^ Hughes-d'Aeth, Tony; ProQuest (Firm) (2017), Like nothing on this earth : [a literary history of the wheatbelt], UWA Publishing, ISBN 978-1-76080-163-2
  9. ^ Main Roads Western Australia (28 February 2011). "Wheatbelt Network" (PDF) (Map). Intergrated Service Arrangement. 1:2,040,816. Government of Western Australia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 August 2013. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  10. ^ Main Roads Western Australia (13 August 2013). Wheatbelt North Region map (PDF) (Map). 1:721,154. Version 1.0. Government of Western Australia. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 August 2013. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  11. ^ Main Roads Western Australia (13 August 2013). Wheatbelt South Region map (PDF) (Map). 1:590,551. Version 1.0. Government of Western Australia. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 August 2013. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  12. ^ http://wheatbelt.wa.gov.au/Maps – the most helpful maps being the "Wheatbelt Development Commission Map"
  13. ^ "Wheatbelt Development Commission". Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  14. ^ Western Australian Visitor Centre (2020), Western Australia's golden outback self drive guide : Gascoyne & Murchison, Wheatbelt, Esperance & Fitzgerald Coast, Kalgoorlie & Goldfields, Australia's Golden Outback, retrieved 28 October 2020
  15. ^ "Western Australia's Wheatbelt Holiday Destination | Australia's Golden Outback". Australia's Golden Outback. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  16. ^ Western Australian Visitor Centre (2020), Australia's golden outback, Western Australia : holiday planner, Western Australian Visitor Centre, retrieved 10 February 2019
  17. ^ "Conditions of Membership". Destination Perth. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  18. ^ "Avon Valley". Destination Perth. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  19. ^ "The Coral Coast Highway". Australia's Coral Coast. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  20. ^ True, Denise; Western Australia. Department of Agriculture (1995), North-east wheatbelt remnant vegetation survey. Volume A, Koorda : prepared for WA Department of Agriculture, The Dept, retrieved 11 February 2019
  21. ^ Wooller, Susan J; Moore, Susan A; Australian Heritage Commission; Western Australian Natural Environment Evaluation Panel (2000), Regional assessment of the wheatbelt of Western Australia : Central Wheatbelt, Murdoch University, ISBN 978-0-86905-746-9
  22. ^ Promaco Geodraft (2013), The Open Wheatbelt (5th edition, January 2013 ed.), [Mount Hawthorn, Western Australia] Promaco Geodraft, retrieved 11 February 2019

Further reading

[edit]
  • Hughes-d'Aeth, Tony (2017). Like Nothing on this Earth: A Literary History of the Wheatbelt. Crawley, WA: UWA Publishing. ISBN 9781742589244.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wheatbelt region of Western Australia.


32°S 118°E / 32°S 118°E / -32; 118

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