Shire of Greenough

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Shire of Greenough
Western Australia

Location in Western Australia
Population: 15,394 (2007 Census Estimate)
Area: 1752.0 km² (676.5 sq mi)
Mayor: E J (John) Sewell (until April 2007)
Council Seat: Utakarra
Region: Mid West
State District: Greenough
Federal Division: O'Connor
LGAs around Shire of Greenough:
Geraldton Chapman Valley Mullewa
Indian Ocean Shire of Greenough Mullewa
Indian Ocean Irwin Irwin
This article is about a former local government area in Western Australia. For its replacement, see City of Geraldton-Greenough.

The Shire of Greenough was a Local Government Area in the Mid West region of Western Australia, 420 kilometres (261 mi) north of the state capital, Perth surrounding the city of Geraldton. The Shire covered an area of 1,752 square kilometres (676.5 sq mi), and its seat of government was the outer Geraldton suburb of Utakarra.

Historically a rural area, with the growth of Geraldton in recent years as a port and city, the areas of the Shire closest to Geraldton became increasingly urbanised. The council is in the process of amalgamating with the City of Geraldton and the new entity will be known as the City of Geraldton-Greenough.

Contents

[edit] History

The Greenough and Geraldton Road Boards - the latter not to be confused with Geraldton Municipal Council - were gazetted in 1871. Initially, Greenough included all of Murchison, which split away in 1875 and Mullewa, which formed in 1911. In 1951, Geraldton and Greenough merged, and in 1961 became the Shire of Geraldton-Greenough after changes to the Local Government Act. In 1965, it was renamed the Shire of Greenough.[1]

[edit] Amalgamation

A recommendation was made to the Minister for Local Government by the Local Government Advisory Board in August 2006 to amalgamate the Shire of Greenough with the City of Geraldton.

The Greenough electors successfully petitioned for a referendum to determine whether amalgamation should proceed. This was held on 2 December 2006, and with a participation rate of 28.74%, a majority of 80% voted against the proposal.[2] However, under the Local Government Act 1995 (clause 10 of Schedule 2.1) as the vote did not attract 50% of registered voters, it did not meet the requirements for a valid poll.[3]

The councillors of both local government authorities resigned at the end of April 2007, and elections for the new local government are planned for October 2007.

[edit] Wards

The shire was divided into four wards until 2005 - West and Tarcoola Wards, each with 4 councillors, and North and South wards, each with 2 councillors. In May 2005, due to a redistribution of boundaries, the Central and Wandina Wards, each with 4 councillors, and the Chapman North Ward with 3 councillors were created.

[edit] Suburbs

[edit] Towns

[edit] References

  1. ^ WA Electoral Commission, Municipality Boundary Amendments Register (release 2.0), 31 May 2003.
  2. ^ Western Australian Electoral Commission. "Greenough - Voting In Person Referendum", 2 December 2006. Retrieved on 2007-04-28. 
  3. ^ Local Government Advisory Board (December 2006). Inquiry Reports - Geraldton Greenough Inquiry Report. Retrieved on 2007-04-28.
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Local Government Areas of the Mid West region of Western Australia