Shire of Litchfield

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Shire of Litchfield Northern Territory
Population:	17,461 (2006 census)[1]
Established:	1985
Area:	2914.3 km² (1125.2 sq mi)
Mayor:	Mary Walshe
Council Seat:	Bees Creek
Region:	Outer Metropolitan Darwin
Federal Division:	Lingiari Solomon
Website: http://www.litchfield.nt.gov.au/
LGAs around Shire of Litchfield: Darwin Palmerston Van Diemen Gulf Belyuen Shire of Litchfield Coomalie

The Shire of Litchfield is a Local Government Area located in the Northern Territory of Australia on the eastern and southeastern outskirts of the Darwin-Palmerston urban area. The shire covers an area of 2,914.3 square kilometres (1,125.2 sq mi), and was created by the Northern Territory government on 6 September 1985.

[edit] History

The original inhabitants of Litchfield Shire area were the Larakia, Woolner and Djowei Aboriginal people. The arrival of European settlers dates from 1864. Litchfield is named after Frederick Henry Litchfield who was a member of an early survey and settlement party and who explored areas of the Northern Territory from Escape Cliffs on the Timor Sea to the Daly River. Some growth took place during the 1870s and 1880s, after the construction of the Overland Telegraph Line. There was more substantial growth during the post-war years, especially during the 1970s.

The Shire was created on 6 September 1985 and its first elections were held on 7 December 1985, with a special meeting being called for 13 December. It was initially divided into three wards, but in 1997, it was redivided into four wards—North, East, South and West—each electing one councillor, plus a Shire President elected by the entire Shire.

[edit] Geography

Litchfield Shire.

The Shire of Litchfield is bounded by the Adelaide River to the east, Van Diemen Gulf and the Coomalie Community Government Council in the south and the City of Darwin and City of Palmerston to the northwest. The Stuart and Arnhem Highways run through the Shire Most of the Shire is rural or rural-residential in character.

[edit] Towns and localities

Towns and localities within the boundary of the Shire include:

[edit] Population

[edit] Shire Presidents

• John Maley (1985–1992)
• Gerry Wood (1992–2001)
• Mary Walshe (2001–2008)

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Shire of Litchfield website
• Shire of Litchfield History

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