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Coordinates: 28°37′40″S 122°24′11″E / 28.62778°S 122.40306°E / -28.62778; 122.40306
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{{Use Australian English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox Australian place | type = town
{{Infobox Australian place | type = town
| name = Laverton
| name = Laverton
Line 5: Line 7:
| caption =
| caption =
| lga = [[Shire of Laverton]]
| lga = [[Shire of Laverton]]
| local_map = yes
| latd=28.628
| zoom = 7
| longd=122.403
| coordinates = {{coord|28|37|40|S|122|24|11|E|display=inline,title}}
| postcode = 6440
| postcode = 6440
| est = 1900
| est = 1898<ref name=laverton/>
| pop = <!--leave blank to draw the latest automatically from Wikidata-->
| pop = 316| pop_year = 2006 census
| area = {{cvt |input=P2046}}
| pop_footnotes = <ref>{{Census 2006 AUS|id=UCL515200|name=Laverton (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)|quick=on|accessdate=2008-08-29}}</ref>
| elevation= 461
| elevation= 461
| maxtemp = 27.3
| maxtemp = 27.3
Line 18: Line 21:
| fedgov = [[Division of O'Connor|O'Connor]]
| fedgov = [[Division of O'Connor|O'Connor]]
| dist1 = 957 | dir1 = NNE
| dist1 = 957 | dir1 = NNE
| location1= [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]]
| location1= [[Perth]]
| dist2 = 124 | dir2 = ENE
| dist2 = 124 | dir2 = ENE
| location2= [[Leonora, Western Australia|Leonora]]
| location2= [[Leonora, Western Australia|Leonora]]
Line 24: Line 27:
| location3=
| location3=
}}
}}
'''Laverton''' is a town in the [[Goldfields-Esperance]] region of [[Western Australia]], and the centre of administration for the [[Shire of Laverton]]. The town of Laverton is located at the western edge of the [[Great Victoria Desert]], {{convert|957|km|mi|0}} north-northeast of the state capital, [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]], and {{convert|124|km|mi|0}} east-northeast of the town of [[Leonora, Western Australia|Leonora]] with an elevation of 461 m.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_012045.shtml|title=Bureau of Meteorology - Climate statistics for Laverton|year=2008|accessdate=2008-08-29}}</ref>
'''Laverton''', originally known as '''British Flag''', is a town in the [[Western Australian Goldfields|Goldfields]] region of [[Western Australia]], and the centre of administration for the [[Shire of Laverton]]. The town of Laverton is located at the western edge of the [[Great Victoria Desert]], {{convert|957|km|mi|0}} north-northeast of the state capital, [[Perth]], and {{convert|124|km|mi|0}} east-northeast of the town of [[Leonora, Western Australia|Leonora]], with an elevation of {{convert|461|m}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_012045.shtml|title=Bureau of Meteorology - Climate statistics for Laverton|year=2008|access-date=2008-08-29}}</ref>


About a third of the population are of [[Indigenous Australians|Aboriginal]] descent. The area is extremely arid, with a mean annual rainfall of just 230 millimetres (8&nbsp;inches). It is also quite warm, with mean daily maximum temperatures ranging from 17 °C (62 °F) in July to 36 °C (97 °F) in January.
About 20% of the population is of [[Aboriginal Australians|Aboriginal]] descent. The area is semi-arid, with a mean annual rainfall of {{convert|233|mm|in}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=Summary statistics - Laverton (1899-2016) |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_012045.shtml |website=Climate statistics for Australian locations|publisher=Commonwealth of Australia, Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=20 December 2016|date=15 Dec 2016}}</ref> It is also quite warm, with mean daily maximum temperatures ranging from 17&nbsp;°C (62&nbsp;°F) in July to 36&nbsp;°C (97&nbsp;°F) in January.


⚫
Laverton is the westernmost town on the [[Outback Way]]{{snd}}a proposed highway which goes through the Northern Territory to [[Winton, Queensland|Winton]] in outback Queensland.
Recent mining activity in the area has seen the re-opening of the old Windarra Mine by [[Poseidon Nickel]] and the re-opening of the old [[Sons of Gwalia]] Barnicoat Mine by [[Crescent Gold]].

⚫
Laverton is the westernmost town on the [[Outback Way]] - a proposed highway which goes through the Northern Territory to [[Winton, Queensland|Winton]] in outback Queensland.


==History==
==History==
A number of early explorers travelled over the Laverton area, including [[John Forrest]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.australiasgoldenoutback.com/en/Kalgoorlie+and+Goldfields/Towns/Laverton.htm|title= Australia's Golden Outback - Laverton|year=2008|accessdate=2008-08-29}}</ref> [[David Carnegie (explorer)|David Carnegie]] and [[Frank Hann]]. Gold was discovered in the area in 1896 and many prospectors and miners moved into the area. Among them was Dr Charles W. Laver, who became an enthusiastic supporter and promoter of the region.
A number of early explorers travelled over the Laverton area, including [[John Forrest]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.australiasgoldenoutback.com/destination/laverton|title= Australia's Golden Outback - Laverton|year=2020|access-date=2020-10-20}}</ref> [[David Carnegie (explorer)|David Carnegie]] and [[Frank Hann]]. Gold was discovered in the British Flag area in 1896 and many prospectors and miners moved into the area. Among them was Dr Charles W. Laver, who became an enthusiastic supporter and promoter of the region.<ref>{{cite news|title=Notes from the Goldfields |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3204515 |access-date=26 January 2016|work=[[The West Australian]] |date=15 August 1898|location=Perth,WA|page=3}}</ref>

⚫
One of the most successful mines was Craiggiemore, and by 1897 a residential and business area known as British Flag had sprung up on the west side of the mine. In March 1898 a townsite was approved as Laverton, in honour of Laver.<ref name=laverton>{{cite news|title=News nd Notes|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3196943|access-date=2 March 2016|work=[[The West Australian]]|date=11 March 1898|location=Perth, WA|page=4}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Mining News|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/217328632|access-date=2 March 2016|work=Coolgardie Miner|date=1 December 1898|page=7}}</ref> In 1899, the residents sought to have a townsite surveyed, but by then the original Craiggiemore location had become unsuitable, so a new site was chosen about {{convert|3|km}} north of the original lots. The new site was surveyed in July 1899 and the town of Laverton gazetted in July 1900.


Laverton was the terminus of a [[Malcolm to Laverton railway line|branch line]] of the [[Kalgoorlie to Leonora railway line]], with the junction at Malcolm.<ref name=Map >{{cite web |title=Railway map of Western Australia, 1952 |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-256867901/view |website=Trove |access-date=13 August 2024}}</ref>
⚫
One of the most successful mines was ''Craiggiemore'', and by 1897 a residential and business area had sprung up on the west side of the mine. This area came to be known as Laverton, in honour of Laver.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/Western-Australia/Laverton/2005/02/17/1108500208257.html|title= The Age - Travel - Laverton|accessdate=2008-09-02 | location=Melbourne | date=2004-02-08}}</ref> In 1899, the residents sought to have a townsite surveyed, but by then the original location had become unsuitable, so a new site was chosen about three kilometres from the original lots. The site was surveyed in July 1899 and the town of Laverton gazetted in July 1900.


By the late 1960s, Laverton was in decline, mainly because of the very low price of gold. But in 1969 a [[Prospecting|prospector]] named Ken Shirley discovered a huge nickel deposit <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laverton.wa.gov.au/|title= Welcome to the Shire of Laverton|year=2008|accessdate=2008-08-29}}</ref> in the area, prompting the famous [[Poseidon bubble]]. This deposit was developed into the huge Windarra Nickel Project, which mined and processed nickel for over 20 years.
By the late 1960s, Laverton was in decline, mainly because of the very low price of gold. In 1968 a Poseidon [[Prospecting|prospector]] Ken Shirley discovered nickel-bearing rocks at Windarra, {{convert|24|km}} northwest of Laverton.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laverton.wa.gov.au/|title=Welcome to the Shire of Laverton|year=2008|access-date=2008-08-29|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080718162228/http://www.laverton.wa.gov.au/|archive-date=2008-07-18}}</ref> In 1969 Poseidon began drilling Windarra. In September rumours of a nickel strike prompted the [[Poseidon bubble]]. The deposit was developed by [[WMC Resources|Western Mining]] and its partners into the Windarra Nickel Project, which mined and processed nickel ore from 1974 to 1991.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sykes|first1=Trevor|title=Norm Shierlaw: Miner's punt on Poseidon paid dividends|url=http://www.smh.com.au/comment/obituaries/norm-shierlaw-miners-punt-on-poseidon-paid-dividends-20131002-2usmc.html|access-date=28 February 2016|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=3 October 2013}}</ref>


==Agriculture==
==Modern industry==
[[File:Gold mines Leonora.jpg|180px|thumb|left|Gold mines in the [[Leonora, Western Australia|Leonora]] - Laverton region]]
[[File:Gold mines Leonora 2.svg|180px|thumb|left|Gold mines in the [[Leonora, Western Australia|Leonora]] - Laverton region]]
Laverton is primarily a [[mining]] area. There are two major [[gold]] mines in the shire: [[Granny Smith Gold Mine|Granny Smith]], owned and operated by [[Barrick Gold]], and the [[Sunrise Dam Gold Mine]], owned and operated by [[AngloGold Ashanti]]. Both [[Open-pit mining|open pit]] and underground mining is conducted at these mines. Smaller gold mines, like the [[BrightStar Gold Mine|BrightStar]] and the [[Laverton Gold Mine]] are also in the area. The [http://www.mining-technology.com/projects/murrin/ Murrin Murrin] laterite [[nickel]] project <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aph.gov.au/House/committee/primind/pestanimals/subs/sub007.pdf|title=Shire of Laverton - Submission #7|year=2004|accessdate=2008-08-29}}</ref> is also located nearby, just over the shire border in Leonora. The area is too arid to support [[agriculture]], but very low density grazing of sheep and cattle is feasible, and a substantial area of land is used in this way.
Laverton is primarily a [[mining]] area. There are two major operating [[gold]] mines in the district: the Wallaby Mine near [[Granny Smith Gold Mine|Granny Smith]], owned and operated by [[Gold Fields]], and the [[Sunrise Dam Gold Mine]], owned and operated by [[AngloGold Ashanti]]. Both [[Open-pit mining|open pit]] and underground mining is conducted at these mines. The [[Murrin Murrin Joint Venture|Murrin Murrin]] laterite [[nickel]] project<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aph.gov.au/House/committee/primind/pestanimals/subs/sub007.pdf|title=Shire of Laverton - Submission #7|year=2004|access-date=2008-08-29}}</ref> is located {{convert|55|km}} to the west, midway between Laverton and Leonora. The area has a long history of [[pastoralism]] with sheep, cattle and goats, and a substantial area of land is used in this way.


==Demographics==
==Demographics==
According to census results from the [[Australian Bureau of Statistics]], the population of the Laverton [[statistical local area]] fell from 2,078 to 730 in the five years from 2001 to 2006. Over this same period, the proportion of indigenous people in the area increased from 19% to 40%.
According to census results from the [[Australian Bureau of Statistics]], the population of the Laverton urban centre fell 23%, from 439<ref>{{cite web |last1=Australian Bureau of Statistics |title=Laverton (L) (Urban Centre/Locality) |url=https://quickstats.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2001/quickstat/UCL515200?opendocument |website=2001 Census QuickStats |access-date=20 August 2020}}</ref> to 340 in the 15 years from 2001 to 2016. Over this same period, the population of Indigenous Australians decreased from 37.6% (165 people) to 20.8% (71 people) of the town.


==Climate==
==Climate==
Line 131: Line 134:
|Dec precipitation days = 3.1
|Dec precipitation days = 3.1
|year precipitation days = 43.9
|year precipitation days = 43.9
|source 1 = <ref>{{cite web
|source 1 =<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_012046_All.shtml
| url = http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_012046_All.shtml
| publisher = Bureau of Meteorology |title = Climate statistics for Laverton|accessdate = 15 October 2011}}</ref>
| publisher = Bureau of Meteorology |title = Climate statistics for Laverton|access-date = 15 October 2011}}</ref>
|date=October 2011
|date=October 2011
}}
}}
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{{Towns Goldfields-Esperance WA}}
{{Towns Goldfields-Esperance WA}}

{{authority control}}


[[Category:Towns in Western Australia]]
[[Category:Towns in Western Australia]]
[[Category:Mining towns in Western Australia]]
[[Category:Mining towns in Western Australia]]
[[Category:Goldfields-Esperance]]
[[Category:Shire of Laverton]]

Latest revision as of 19:18, 15 August 2024

Laverton
Western Australia
Laverton is located in Western Australia
Laverton
Laverton
Map
Coordinates28°37′40″S 122°24′11″E / 28.62778°S 122.40306°E / -28.62778; 122.40306
Population407 (UCL 2021)[1]
Established1898[2]
Postcode(s)6440
Elevation461 m (1,512 ft)
Area11,482.3 km2 (4,433.3 sq mi)
Location
  • 957 km (595 mi) NNE of Perth
  • 124 km (77 mi) ENE of Leonora
LGA(s)Shire of Laverton
State electorate(s)Kalgoorlie
Federal division(s)O'Connor
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
27.3 °C
81 °F		 13.2 °C
56 °F		 232.5 mm
9.2 in

Laverton, originally known as British Flag, is a town in the Goldfields region of Western Australia, and the centre of administration for the Shire of Laverton. The town of Laverton is located at the western edge of the Great Victoria Desert, 957 kilometres (595 mi) north-northeast of the state capital, Perth, and 124 kilometres (77 mi) east-northeast of the town of Leonora, with an elevation of 461 metres (1,512 ft).[3]

About 20% of the population is of Aboriginal descent. The area is semi-arid, with a mean annual rainfall of 233 millimetres (9.2 in).[4] It is also quite warm, with mean daily maximum temperatures ranging from 17 °C (62 °F) in July to 36 °C (97 °F) in January.

Laverton is the westernmost town on the Outback Way – a proposed highway which goes through the Northern Territory to Winton in outback Queensland.

History

[edit]

A number of early explorers travelled over the Laverton area, including John Forrest,[5] David Carnegie and Frank Hann. Gold was discovered in the British Flag area in 1896 and many prospectors and miners moved into the area. Among them was Dr Charles W. Laver, who became an enthusiastic supporter and promoter of the region.[6]

One of the most successful mines was Craiggiemore, and by 1897 a residential and business area known as British Flag had sprung up on the west side of the mine. In March 1898 a townsite was approved as Laverton, in honour of Laver.[2][7] In 1899, the residents sought to have a townsite surveyed, but by then the original Craiggiemore location had become unsuitable, so a new site was chosen about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) north of the original lots. The new site was surveyed in July 1899 and the town of Laverton gazetted in July 1900.

Laverton was the terminus of a branch line of the Kalgoorlie to Leonora railway line, with the junction at Malcolm.[8]

By the late 1960s, Laverton was in decline, mainly because of the very low price of gold. In 1968 a Poseidon prospector Ken Shirley discovered nickel-bearing rocks at Windarra, 24 kilometres (15 mi) northwest of Laverton.[9] In 1969 Poseidon began drilling Windarra. In September rumours of a nickel strike prompted the Poseidon bubble. The deposit was developed by Western Mining and its partners into the Windarra Nickel Project, which mined and processed nickel ore from 1974 to 1991.[10]

Modern industry

[edit]
Gold mines in the Leonora - Laverton region

Laverton is primarily a mining area. There are two major operating gold mines in the district: the Wallaby Mine near Granny Smith, owned and operated by Gold Fields, and the Sunrise Dam Gold Mine, owned and operated by AngloGold Ashanti. Both open pit and underground mining is conducted at these mines. The Murrin Murrin laterite nickel project[11] is located 55 kilometres (34 mi) to the west, midway between Laverton and Leonora. The area has a long history of pastoralism with sheep, cattle and goats, and a substantial area of land is used in this way.

Demographics

[edit]

According to census results from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the population of the Laverton urban centre fell 23%, from 439[12] to 340 in the 15 years from 2001 to 2016. Over this same period, the population of Indigenous Australians decreased from 37.6% (165 people) to 20.8% (71 people) of the town.

Climate

[edit]

Laverton has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and mild to cool winters.

Climate data for Laverton
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 47.8
(118.0) 		46.7
(116.1) 		45.2
(113.4) 		41.7
(107.1) 		35.6
(96.1) 		30.2
(86.4) 		28.9
(84.0) 		33.0
(91.4) 		37.7
(99.9) 		40.8
(105.4) 		44.4
(111.9) 		47.8
(118.0) 		47.8
(118.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 37.1
(98.8) 		35.3
(95.5) 		32.7
(90.9) 		27.9
(82.2) 		22.8
(73.0) 		19.0
(66.2) 		18.5
(65.3) 		20.6
(69.1) 		24.8
(76.6) 		28.8
(83.8) 		32.2
(90.0) 		35.3
(95.5) 		27.9
(82.2)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 21.7
(71.1) 		20.9
(69.6) 		18.6
(65.5) 		14.8
(58.6) 		10.2
(50.4) 		7.3
(45.1) 		6.1
(43.0) 		6.9
(44.4) 		10.0
(50.0) 		13.6
(56.5) 		17.0
(62.6) 		20.0
(68.0) 		13.9
(57.0)
Record low °C (°F) 12.6
(54.7) 		10.6
(51.1) 		8.4
(47.1) 		3.1
(37.6) 		0.7
(33.3) 		−2.8
(27.0) 		−1.7
(28.9) 		0.3
(32.5) 		1.8
(35.2) 		3.6
(38.5) 		4.0
(39.2) 		9.5
(49.1) 		−2.8
(27.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 24.0
(0.94) 		31.0
(1.22) 		28.5
(1.12) 		20.6
(0.81) 		24.1
(0.95) 		25.1
(0.99) 		19.0
(0.75) 		16.1
(0.63) 		8.9
(0.35) 		9.1
(0.36) 		12.0
(0.47) 		16.7
(0.66) 		235.4
(9.27)
Average precipitation days 3.2 3.6 3.8 3.5 4.3 5.4 5.2 4.0 2.6 2.4 2.8 3.1 43.9
Source: [13]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Laverton (urban centre and locality)". Australian Census 2021. Edit this at Wikidata
  2. ^ a b "News nd Notes". The West Australian. Perth, WA. 11 March 1898. p. 4. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  3. ^ "Bureau of Meteorology - Climate statistics for Laverton". 2008. Retrieved 29 August 2008.
  4. ^ "Summary statistics - Laverton (1899-2016)". Climate statistics for Australian locations. Commonwealth of Australia, Bureau of Meteorology. 15 December 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  5. ^ "Australia's Golden Outback - Laverton". 2020. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  6. ^ "Notes from the Goldfields". The West Australian. Perth,WA. 15 August 1898. p. 3. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  7. ^ "Mining News". Coolgardie Miner. 1 December 1898. p. 7. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  8. ^ "Railway map of Western Australia, 1952". Trove. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  9. ^ "Welcome to the Shire of Laverton". 2008. Archived from the original on 18 July 2008. Retrieved 29 August 2008.
  10. ^ Sykes, Trevor (3 October 2013). "Norm Shierlaw: Miner's punt on Poseidon paid dividends". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  11. ^ "Shire of Laverton - Submission #7" (PDF). 2004. Retrieved 29 August 2008.
  12. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics. "Laverton (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2001 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  13. ^ "Climate statistics for Laverton". Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
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