Shire of Cocos
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| Shire of Cocos |
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| Population: • Density: |
621 (2001 census) 44/km² |
| Area: | 14.1 km² |
| Mayor: | Ron Grant MR |
| Council Seat: | Home Island |
| Region: | External territory of Australia |
| Federal Division: | Lingiari |
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The Shire of Cocos is a Local Government Area which manages local affairs on the Australian external territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands (; post code: 6799). The island is grouped with Western Australia but is administered by Department of Transport and Regional Services and an Administrator.
It covers an area of 14.1 km² in the Indian Ocean about 2,770 km north-west of Perth and 1,000 km south-west of Java in Indonesia. It has a population of 621 (ABS 2001).
[edit] History
From the 19th century onwards, the islands were owned by the Clunies-Ross family, and in 1886 were granted to them in perpetuity by Queen Victoria. On 23 November 1955 the islands were transferred to Australian control under the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955. In 1978, Australia entered a form of purchase of the islands with the Clunies-Ross family, and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Council came into existence in July 1979 as a representative of the Cocos Malay community.
On 1 July 1992, the Federal Government's Territories Law Reform Act came into place, applying Western Australian law to the islands. An ordinance subsequently created the Shire of Cocos, replacing the earlier Council and transferring all the Council's assets to the new body. The first elections were held in May 1993.
The shire's offices are located at Jalan Bunga Kangkong, Home Island.
[edit] Wards
The shire has 7 councillors and no wards.
