Shire of Augusta-Margaret River (Augusta-Margaret River Shire)
The Shire of Augusta Margaret River is a local government area in the south-west corner of the South West region of Western Australia, approximately 270 km south of Perth. The shire covers an area of 2243 km2 and had a population of over 14,000 at the 2016 Census, about half of whom live in the towns of Margaret River and Augusta.
Nearly half of Augusta Margaret River's land area is state forest or national park. National parks include Scott National Park and Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park. Other land uses include agriculture, especially dairy and beef cattle; viticulture; and tourism.
It was first gazetted as the Augusta Road District on 16 April 1891 and was renamed to Augusta-Margaret River Road District on 10 September 1926. On 1 July 1961, it became a shire under the Local Government Act 1960. In 2017 it abolished its system of wards for electing councillors.
Nearly half of Augusta Margaret River's land area is state forest or national park. National parks include Scott National Park and Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park. Other land uses include agriculture, especially dairy and beef cattle; viticulture; and tourism.
It was first gazetted as the Augusta Road District on 16 April 1891 and was renamed to Augusta-Margaret River Road District on 10 September 1926. On 1 July 1961, it became a shire under the Local Government Act 1960. In 2017 it abolished its system of wards for electing councillors.
Map - Shire of Augusta-Margaret River (Augusta-Margaret River Shire)
Map
Country - Australia
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The ancestors of Aboriginal Australians began arriving from south east Asia approximately 65,000 years ago, during the last ice age. Arriving by sea, they settled the continent and had formed approximately 250 distinct language groups by the time of European settlement, maintaining some of the longest known continuing artistic and religious traditions in the world. Australia's written history commenced with the European maritime exploration of Australia. The Dutch navigator Willem Janszoon was the first known European to reach Australia, in 1606. In 1770, the British explorer James Cook mapped and claimed the east coast of Australia for Great Britain, and the First Fleet of British ships arrived at Sydney in 1788 to establish the penal colony of New South Wales. The European population grew in subsequent decades, and by the end of the 1850s gold rush, most of the continent had been explored by European settlers and an additional five self-governing British colonies established. Democratic parliaments were gradually established through the 19th century, culminating with a vote for the federation of the six colonies and foundation of the Commonwealth of Australia on 1 January 1901. Australia has since maintained a stable liberal democratic political system and wealthy market economy.
Currency / Language
ISO | Currency | Symbol | Significant figures |
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AUD | Australian dollar | $ | 2 |
ISO | Language |
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EN | English language |