20-780: Moore River (Garban) is a river in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia . The headwaters of the Moore River lie in the Perenjori , Carnamah and Dalwallinu Shires. The river then drains southwards through Moora , flows westerly before joining with the Moore River East near Mogumber, then flows in a westerly direction over the Edengerie Cascade, through the northern edge of the Moore River Nature Reserve, then through
40-471: 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. A number of nationally threatened birds reside in the Wheatbelt, including the endangered Carnaby's black cockatoo and the vulnerable malleefowl . The Wheatbelt encompasses a range of ecosystems and, as
60-527: A population of about 54,000. Its administrative centre is the historic port of Albany . It has a Mediterranean climate , with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The Stirling Range is the only place in Western Australia that regularly receives snowfalls , if only very light. The economy of the Great Southern is dominated by livestock farming, dairy farming and crop -growing. It has some of
80-458: A range of other agricultural and pastoral products. 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. Cultural change with population changes in many localities has been identified by local museums and historical societies, including online documentation. Also
100-613: A result, there are a range of industries operating in the region. 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. Near the coast, the region receives relatively high rainfall and mild temperatures, and its 150 kilometres (93 mi) of coastline
120-1072: A vernacular term for the area converted to agriculture during colonisation. 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. The area, once
140-436: 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
160-649: Is one of the nine regions of Western Australia , as defined by the Regional Development Commissions Act 1993 , for the purposes of economic development. It is a section of the larger south coast of Western Australia and neighbouring agricultural regions. The region officially comprises the local government areas of Albany , Broomehill-Tambellup , Cranbrook , Denmark , Gnowangerup , Jerramungup , Katanning , Kent , Kojonup , Plantagenet and Woodanilling . The Great Southern has an area of 39,007 square kilometres (15,061 sq mi) and
180-462: The 63rd Regiment of Foot , after his expedition leader George Fletcher Moore , Advocate-General . The exploratory party comprised Moore, Heffron and an Aboriginal man named Weenat. Heffron was notable for his participation in the Pinjarra Massacre in 1834. The river is prone to periodic flooding unusually following cyclones and tropical depressions crossing the coast further north. In 1907,
200-653: 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
220-576: The Gingin Scarp, discharging into the Indian Ocean at Guilderton . The river includes a catchment that extends from just south of Three Springs to Guilderton . The catchment has a total area of 13,800 square kilometres (5,328 sq mi) and is 80% cleared for agriculture. The catchment area is used for broadacre farming but with increasing diversification in horticulture and tree plantations. The river mouth at Guilderton typically closes during
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#1732858648121240-453: The Great Southern, Goldfields-Esperance and Mid West regions that are dominantly grain growing areas. There are numerous subdivisions of the Wheatbelt, and in most cases the separation is by local government areas. The Wheatbelt Development Commission (WDC) breaks the region up into five sub-regions with four offices: Most of the Wheatbelt is included in the larger Australia's Golden Outback. Due to their proximity to Perth, however,
260-496: 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. The following list is the shires listed in the Wheatbelt as designated by the Wheatbelt Development Commission. Some shires in adjoining regions are traditionally considered part of the Wheatbelt – there are shires in
280-649: The following shires are instead promoted as part of the Destination Perth region. The tourist precincts are included: 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. The Wheatbelt is separated into other designations at various times as well: 32°S 118°E / 32°S 118°E / -32; 118 Great Southern (Western Australia) The Great Southern region
300-419: The literary tradition of writers including the wheatbelt in their writing included: Lesser known writers also have the wheatbelt environment in their writing such as Lilian Wooster Greaves . 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
320-544: The most productive cereal grain and pastoral land in the state, and is a major producer of wool and lamb . Albany is a major fishing centre. The coast of the Great Southern has milder summer weather than areas on the west coast proper and is also a popular destination for holidaymakers, tourists , anglers and surfers . Albany is home to the Kalgan River which is associated with riverboats , from 1918 to 1935 with Silver Star which lowered its funnel to get under
340-458: The railway lines between Watheroo and Moora were closed for some time when parts of the track were washed away. More floods occurred in 1917 when 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain fell in three hours at Mogumber with similar falls in surrounding areas. Moora was once again left underwater and rail services in surrounding areas were suspended. Low-lying areas in other towns such as Arrino , Three Springs , and Coorow were also submerged. In 1932,
360-452: The river flooded once again following heavy rains in the Midland districts. Railway lines were undermined to a depth of 30 feet (9 m) leaving Moora isolated from Perth by both road and rail. The township of Moora was left 3 feet (1 m) underwater and portions of the town had to be evacuated. Crops and some stock were lost as a result of the floodwaters. Opened in 1918, near the head of
380-494: The river, was the now defunct and discredited government-managed-settlement and internment camp known as the Moore River Native Settlement . 31°22′S 115°29′E / 31.367°S 115.483°E / -31.367; 115.483 Wheatbelt (Western Australia) The Wheatbelt is one of nine regions of Western Australia defined as administrative areas for the state's regional development, and
400-590: The summer months due to insufficient water flow, creating a sandbar. The river has nine sub-catchment areas and has a number of tributaries and lakes along the length of the river. The salinity levels in the river catchment vary from brackish to saline with the exception of Gingin Brook which remains fresh throughout the year. The Aboriginal people referred to the lower part of the river as Garban . White settlers named it River Moore in May 1836 by Corporal Patrick Heffron of
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