Karratha, Western Australia

Last updated

Karratha
Western Australia
Karratha, Western Australia.jpg
Karratha at dusk
Australia Western Australia location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Karratha
Coordinates 20°44′11″S116°50′47″E / 20.73639°S 116.84639°E / -20.73639; 116.84639
Population17,013 (2021 census) [1]
Established1968
Postcode(s) 6714
Elevation19 m (62 ft)
Time zone AWST (UTC+8)
Location
LGA(s) City of Karratha
State electorate(s) Pilbara
Federal division(s) Durack
Mean max tempMean min tempAnnual rainfall
32.4 °C
90 °F
20.8 °C
69 °F
285.1 mm
11.2 in

Karratha is a city in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, adjoining the port of Dampier. It was established in 1968 to accommodate the processing and exportation workforce of the Hamersley Iron mining company and, in the 1980s, the petroleum and liquefied natural gas operations of the North West Shelf Venture. As of the 2021 census, Karratha had an urban population of 17,013. [1] The city's name comes from the cattle station of the same name, which derives from a word in a local Aboriginal language meaning "good country" or "soft earth". [2] The city is the seat of government of the City of Karratha, a local government area covering the surrounding region.

Contents

Geography

Karratha, an isolated city, is located approximately 1,535 kilometres (954 mi) north of Perth and 241 kilometres (150 mi) west of Port Hedland on the North West Coastal Highway.

It is at the south central end of Nickol Bay, which has had settlements on the bay since the 1860s. [3] [4]

The city is roughly rectangular in layout and is located on flat land adjacent to Nickol Bay. Tidal salt flats and areas of mangrove separate the city from the sea. Immediately to the rear of the city (south) lies a line of low hills.

Climate

Karratha has a hot semi-arid climate (BSh), that just avoids a hot desert climate (BWh) classification. Temperatures are warm to hot all year round, with low rainfall, most of which falls in late summer due to the influence of tropical cyclones and the monsoon, although there is a second rainfall peak in early winter as the northern edges of cold fronts occasionally cause rain in the region. It is very rare for any rain to fall in the period from August to December. Winter temperatures rarely drop below 10 °C, while maximums stay in the mid to high 20s °C's and days are sunny with low humidity. Summers are very hot and usually dry although the erratic influence of the monsoon can cause periods of high humidity and thunderstorms. The record high temperature is 48.4 °C (119.1 °F), which was set 13 January 2022, [5] while the record low is 6.9 °C (44.4 °F). The highest monthly rainfall on record was 348.8mm (13.7 in) in February 2011, owing to the passage of Tropical Cyclone Carlos and several other monsoonal lows over Karratha.

Climate data for Karratha
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)48.4
(119.1)
47.7
(117.9)
45.8
(114.4)
41.3
(106.3)
38.3
(100.9)
32.8
(91.0)
34.0
(93.2)
39.1
(102.4)
40.7
(105.3)
44.7
(112.5)
44.8
(112.6)
46.9
(116.4)
48.4
(119.1)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)35.9
(96.6)
35.8
(96.4)
36.1
(97.0)
34.3
(93.7)
30.0
(86.0)
26.5
(79.7)
26.3
(79.3)
28.3
(82.9)
30.8
(87.4)
34.1
(93.4)
35.1
(95.2)
35.8
(96.4)
32.4
(90.3)
Daily mean °C (°F)31.3
(88.3)
31.2
(88.2)
31.0
(87.8)
28.5
(83.3)
24.1
(75.4)
20.8
(69.4)
20.0
(68.0)
21.3
(70.3)
23.8
(74.8)
27.4
(81.3)
29.1
(84.4)
30.7
(87.3)
26.6
(79.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)26.7
(80.1)
26.7
(80.1)
25.9
(78.6)
22.7
(72.9)
18.3
(64.9)
15.1
(59.2)
13.8
(56.8)
14.3
(57.7)
16.9
(62.4)
20.8
(69.4)
23.1
(73.6)
25.6
(78.1)
20.8
(69.5)
Record low °C (°F)20.5
(68.9)
19.4
(66.9)
17.0
(62.6)
14.7
(58.5)
10.8
(51.4)
7.1
(44.8)
6.9
(44.4)
8.0
(46.4)
10.0
(50.0)
11.1
(52.0)
16.0
(60.8)
18.7
(65.7)
6.9
(44.4)
Average rainfall mm (inches)49.1
(1.93)
78.0
(3.07)
47.8
(1.88)
17.6
(0.69)
28.3
(1.11)
35.3
(1.39)
14.3
(0.56)
4.3
(0.17)
1.3
(0.05)
0.4
(0.02)
1.4
(0.06)
14.0
(0.55)
291.8
(11.48)
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2mm)4.25.34.01.83.23.22.01.10.50.30.41.427.4
Average afternoon relative humidity (%)51554640424440353638414743
Average dew point °C (°F)23
(73)
23
(73)
22
(72)
18
(64)
13
(55)
11
(52)
9
(48)
10
(50)
12
(54)
16
(61)
18
(64)
21
(70)
16
(61)
Mean daily sunshine hours 11.610.19.68.57.37.27.48.510.312.212.311.99.7
Source 1: Bureau of Meteorology [6]
Source 2: Time and Date (dewpoints 2005-2015) [7]

Weather Atlas (sun hours) [8]

Population

As of the 2021 census, there were 17,013 [1] people in Karratha, a decline from the recent peak of 17,927 in 2013. [9]

As of the 2021 census: [1]

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, predominantly Ngarluma, make up 9.0% of the population. [1] The Yinidbarndi, Yaburara, Mardudhunera, and Woon-goo-tt-oo peoples have lived in the surrounding area for approximately 50,000 years. [10]

Economy

Karratha's economic base includes the iron ore operations of the Rio Tinto Group, sea-salt mining, ammonia export operations, North West Shelf Natural Gas Project, Australia's largest natural resource development, the newest Natural Gas Project called Pluto LNG which is situated adjacent the existing North West Shelf LNG facility and Ammonia/Technical Ammonium Nitrate production facility of Yara International.

Karratha came into being in 1968 [11] due to the tremendous growth of the iron-ore industry and the need for a new regional centre caused by a shortage of land in Dampier.

Karratha has the largest shopping centre in the Pilbara, Karratha City, which has major food and grocery retailers and department store chains. [12] It was opened in 1986 as Karratha City and expanded in 2005. The centre also serves the neighbouring towns of Dampier, Wickham and Roebourne. There is also a smaller centre, Karratha Village, which has health services including a pharmacy and medical and dental practices. The Karratha Health Campus is the hospital that services the greater City of Karratha local government area, newly opened in 2018.

Facilities

Education is provided through four public primary schools, one independent public school and one private primary school, one public and one private high school (Karratha Senior High School and St Luke's College), a TAFE centre with remote university facilities.

A new state of the art library was opened in 2018, Karratha Public Library. [13]

A new hospital was opened in 2018, Karratha Health Campus. [14] [15]

Red Earth Arts Precinct [16] opened in 2018. This venue has a theatre that can also operate as an indoor cinema, outdoor cinema, rehearsal rooms and art spaces. [17]

Karratha Airport has two passenger airlines servicing the city with regular schedules: Qantas and Virgin Australia. The airport also serves as the hub of the Pilbara's light-aircraft and helicopter services, [18] enabling contractors to access offshore destinations and other parts of the region. Cape Preston Aerodrome [YCPR] is about 70 km south of town.

Annual festivals and events

Each year in August Pilbara Iron, Dampier Salt, Woodside Petroleum Limited, and other smaller companies sponsor one of the largest festivals in the North West, over two days. The name FeNaClNG Festival is derived from Fe (iron), NaCl (salt) and NG (natural gas). [19]

Red Earth Arts Festival. [20]

Cossack Art Awards. [21]

Suburbs

Karratha is composed of 9 main suburbs: Karratha City Centre, Bulgarra, Pegs Creek, Millars Well, Nickol, Nickol West, Baynton, Baynton West, Tambrey and one industrial area, known as both the LIA (Light Industrial Area) and KIE (Karratha Industrial Estate). Karratha's housing development continues, with new villages and suburbs being built. Baynton West is currently being developed. Also a new suburb going east of Bulgarra with an indigenous name, Mulataga has received council approval. There is current development of a second industrial estate: Gap Ridge which is west of the city, past the cemetery.

Media

Radio

Radio services available in Karratha:


Television

Television services available include:

The programming schedule is mainly the same as the Seven, Nine and Ten stations in Perth with variations for News bulletins, sport telecasts such as the Australian Football League and National Rugby League, children's and lifestyle programs and infomercials. Seven produces a 30-minute regional news program each weeknight (broadcast from Bunbury) with a newsroom based in the town, covering the surrounding areas.

Newspapers

The local newspaper is The Pilbara News (owned by Seven West Media, publisher of The West Australian). [24] An independent local newspaper, which included classifieds, The Pilbara Echo, closed in April 2014. [25] Newspapers from Perth including The West Australian and The Sunday Times are also available, as well as national newspapers such as The Australian and The Australian Financial Review .

Sport

The North Pilbara Football League (NPFL) is an Australian rules football league with six teams: Karratha Kats, Karratha Falcons, Dampier Sharks, Wickham Wolves, Port Hedland Rovers and South Hedland Swans.

The Pilbara Rugby League has 6 teams: Karratha Stormers, Karratha Broncos, Karratha Roosters, Port Hedland Juniors, South Hedland Cougars and Wickham Wasps.

Soccer has 5 teams: Bulgarra Glory, Karratha Snow Whites, Nickol, Dampier Red Dogs and Salt.

West Pilbara Cricket Association has 6 teams: Karratha Kats, Baynton Lions, Rec Club, Dampier Taverners, Wickham Wallabies and Pegs Creek Crabs. Kats are the current champions and won the trophy against Baynton Lions (Baynton Lions is a new team competing first time in 15–16 season and reaching both 40-40 and 20-20 finals.)

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Australia</span> State of Australia

Western Australia is a state of Australia occupying the western third of the land area of Australia, excluding external territories. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east, and South Australia to the south-east. Western Australia is Australia's largest state, with a total land area of 2,527,013 square kilometres (975,685 sq mi). It is the second-largest country subdivision in the world, surpassed only by Russia's Sakha Republic. As of 2021, the state has 2.76 million inhabitants—11 percent of the national total. The vast majority live in the south-west corner; 79 percent of the population lives in the Perth area, leaving the remainder of the state sparsely populated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dampier, Western Australia</span> Town in Western Australia

Dampier is a major industrial port in the Pilbara region in the northwest of Western Australia. It is located near the city of Karratha and Port Walcott.

The Pilbara is a large, dry, thinly populated region in the north of Western Australia. It is known for its Aboriginal peoples; its ancient landscapes; the red earth; and its vast mineral deposits, in particular iron ore. It is also a global biodiversity hotspot for subterranean fauna.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port Hedland, Western Australia</span> Town in Western Australia

Port Hedland is the second largest town in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, with an urban population of 15,298 as of the 2021 census, including the satellite town of South Hedland, 18 kilometres (11 mi) away. It is also the site of the highest tonnage port in Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roebourne, Western Australia</span> Town in Western Australia

Roebourne is a town in Western Australia's Pilbara region. In the Ngarluma language, Roebourne is called Yirramagardu (Ieramagadu). It is 35 km from Karratha, 202 km from Port Hedland and 1,563 km from Perth, the state's capital. It is the only town on the North West Coastal Highway between Binnu and Fitzroy Crossing; over 2,000km. It is located within the City of Karratha. It prospered during its gold boom of the late 19th century and was once the largest settlement between Darwin and Perth. At the 2016 census, Roebourne and the surrounding area had a population of 981.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">City of Karratha</span> Local government area in Western Australia

The City of Karratha is one of the four local government areas in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. It covers an area of 15,882 square kilometres (6,132 sq mi) and had a population of about 21,500 as at the 2016 Census, most of which is located in its seat of government, the city of Karratha, and the major towns. It was formerly known as the Shire of Roebourne but was renamed and granted city status on 1 July 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Murujuga</span> Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia

Murujuga, formerly known as Dampier Island and today usually known as the Burrup Peninsula, is an area in the Dampier Archipelago, in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, containing the town of Dampier. The Dampier Rock Art Precinct, which covers the entire archipelago, is the subject of ongoing political debate due to historical and proposed industrial development. Over 40% of Murujuga lies within Murujuga National Park, which contains within it the world's largest collection of ancient 40,000 year old rock art (petroglyphs).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Catholic Diocese of Geraldton</span> Catholic ecclesiastical territory

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Geraldton is a Latin Rite suffragan diocese in the ecclesiastical province of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Perth, covering the Mid West, Western Australia.

Karratha Airport is an airport in Karratha, in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The airport is 14 km (8.7 mi) from Karratha and 5 nautical miles south of Dampier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pilbara newspapers</span> Newspapers published in the Pilbara region of Western Australia

Pilbara newspapers is a selection of newspapers published in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

ABC Pilbara is an ABC Local Radio station based in Karratha. Formerly known as ABC North West WA, the station broadcasts to the Gascoyne and parts of the Pilbara regions of Western Australia. This includes the towns of Port Hedland, Carnarvon, Exmouth, Newman and Tom Price.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Clare</span> Category 3 Australian region cyclone in 2006

Severe Tropical Cyclone Clare was a moderately strong cyclone that struck Western Australia in January 2006. The storm formed as an area of low pressure in the Arafura Sea, and moved westward. After receiving the name Clare on 7 January, the system ultimately peaked at Category 3 intensity on the Australian tropical cyclone scale. It moved ashore on the coast of the Pilbara and proceeded inland, dissipating on 10 January. Clare produced winds of 142 km/h (88 mph) at Karratha and triggered widespread torrential rainfall that led to flooding. Following its usage, the name Clare was retired by the Bureau of Meteorology, and will never be used again for a tropical cyclone in the area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iron ore mining in Western Australia</span> Mining in Western Australia

Iron ore mining in Western Australia, in the 2018–19 financial year, accounted for 54 percent of the total value of the state's resource production, with a value of A$78.2 billion. The overall value of the minerals and petroleum industry in Western Australia was A$145 billion in 2018–19, a 26 percent increase on the previous financial year.

Port Walcott, formerly known as Tien Tsin Harbour, is a large open water harbour located on the northwest coast of Western Australia, located near the town of Point Samson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Christine</span>

Severe Tropical Cyclone Christine was the third tropical cyclone and the second severe tropical cyclone of the 2013–14 Australian region cyclone season. It made landfall on Western Australia's Pilbara coast nearly halfway between the major towns of Karratha and Port Hedland as a category 4 cyclone on midnight of 31 December 2013.

Main Roads Western Australia controls the major roads in the state's Pilbara region. There are two main highways in the region: Great Northern Highway, which travels north through the region to Port Hedland and then north-west along the coast, as well as North West Coastal Highway, which heads south-west from Port Hedland. A series of main roads connects towns to the highways, and local roads provide additional links. The majority of these roads service the western half of the region, with few located in the various deserts east of the Oakover River. Roads are often named after the towns or areas they connect.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pilbara Coast</span> Coastline of Western Australia

The Pilbara Coast is the coastline of Western Australia's Pilbara region. It is often referred to as the North West Coast of Western Australia.

<i>Hamersley News</i>

Hamersley News was a fortnightly English language newspaper published in Perth, Western Australia by Hamersley Iron Pty Ltd. It was distributed to mining communities in Dampier, Karratha, Tom Price and Paraburdoo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Damien</span> Category 2 Cyclone in 2020

Severe Tropical Cyclone Damien was the strongest cyclone to make landfall on the Western Australian coast since Cyclone Christine in 2013 and the second-strongest cyclone in the 2019–20 Australian region cyclone season after Cyclone Ferdinand. The fifth tropical low, and the third named storm of the 2019–20 Australian region cyclone season, Damien originated from a monsoon trough over Kimberley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Roebourne</span> Church in Western Australia, Australia

Holy Trinity Anglican Church is a heritage-listed Anglican church at Hampton Street, Roebourne, Western Australia. It is both the oldest stone building and the oldest church in North West Australia. Completed in 1883, and reconstructed in 1894–95 after being destroyed in a cyclone, it was restored over about a decade in the 2010s, during which time it was again severely damaged by a cyclone.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Karratha". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 19 April 2022. OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  2. "History of country town names – K". Western Australian Land Information Authority. Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2007.
  3. "NICKOL BAY". The Inquirer and Commercial News . Vol. XXXI, no. 1569. Western Australia. 23 December 1868. p. 3. Retrieved 17 February 2019 via National Library of Australia.
  4. "NICKOL BAY". The Perth Gazette and West Australian Times . Vol. 4, no. 12. Western Australia. 27 December 1867. p. 2. Retrieved 17 February 2019 via National Library of Australia.
  5. "Small beachside town in WA equals Australia's hottest day on record". ABC News. 13 January 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  6. "KARRATHA AERO". Climate statistics for Australian locations. Bureau of Meteorology. April 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2013.
  7. "Climate & Weather Averages in Karratha, Western Australia, Australia". Time and Date. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  8. "Monthly weather forecast and climate in Karratha, Australia". Weather Atlas. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  9. "3218.0 – Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2017–18: Population Estimates by Significant Urban Area, 2008 to 2018". Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2019. Estimated resident population, 30 June 2018.
  10. "Indigenous owners 'left out' of rock art site's world heritage listing talks". The Guardian . 22 March 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  11. "Karratha". www.airnorth.com.au. Air North. Archived from the original on 29 March 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  12. "Karratha City Heart of the Pilbara". Karratha City. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  13. Ltd, Civica Pty. "Spydus – Locations & Hours". karratha.spydus.com. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  14. "Karratha Health Campus to open on September 19". The West Australian. 13 September 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  15. "WACHS: Karratha Health Campus – Now Open!". www.wacountry.health.wa.gov.au. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  16. "Red Earth Arts Precinct". Karratha Council. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  17. "Arts hub an asset for all". The West Australian. 27 April 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  18. Bower S Bristow delivers WA Business News, 13 November 2002
  19. "FeNaClNG Festival | City of Karratha". karratha.wa.gov.au. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  20. "Red Earth Arts Festival | reaf". reaf.com.au. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  21. "COSSACK | Cossack Art Award". cossackartawards.com.au. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  22. URL link to Karratha FM 93.7 – Today's Hot Country" http://local.fm/karratha/announcers.html Archived 4 August 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  23. W.A. TAB Racing Radio list of frequencies page http://www.ozbet.com.au/UI/ContentUI/AllContent.aspx?contentCode=Racing Radio Information&contentMenuType=About Content Menu
  24. "Pilbara News". The West Australian Regional Newspapers. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  25. "Thank you and farewell". Pilbara Echo. 10 April 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2014.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Karratha, Western Australia at Wikimedia Commons