Loxton, South Australia

Last updated

Loxton
South Australia
LoxtonMainStreet.JPG
Main street
Australia South Australia location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Loxton
Coordinates 34°27′14″S140°34′01″E / 34.453852°S 140.566862°E / -34.453852; 140.566862 [1]
Population4,212 (2016 census) [2]
 • Density532/km2 (1,380/sq mi)
Postcode(s) 5333 [3]
Time zone ACST (UTC+9:30)
 • Summer (DST) ACST (UTC+10:30)
Location
LGA(s) District Council of Loxton Waikerie [1]
County Alfred [1]
State electorate(s) Chaffey [4]
Federal division(s) Barker [5]
Mean max temp [6] Mean min temp [6] Annual rainfall [6]
24.0 °C
75 °F
9.1 °C
48 °F
259.8 mm
10.2 in
Localities around Loxton:
Katarapko Loxton North
Pyap Loxton Bugle Hut
Pyap West Pata Woodleigh
FootnotesAdjoining localities [1]

Loxton is a town on the south bank of the River Murray in the Riverland region of South Australia. It is located on the lands of the Erawirung people [7] who occupied the area before the arrival of Europeans.

Contents

At the 2016 census, Loxton had a population of 4,568. [2] It is a service town for the surrounding districts. Loxton's primary productions are agriculture & horticulture. Citrus fruit, wine grapes, almond and stone fruit trees are prevalent. Loxton is also the main town for the northern part of the Murray Mallee which is a dryland farming and grain cropping area.[ citation needed ] Loxton High School provides secondary education for the area.

Loxton has a pioneer settlement museum (known as the Loxton Historical Village), preserving the heritage of the mallee region. It is also famous for the "Loxton Lights Up" Christmas Festival in December each year, and the annual 120m Loxton Gift handicap sprint race held in late February. The town hosts the second round of the Australian HPV Super Series in May annually.[ citation needed ]

Loxton is the seat of the local government area of the District Council of Loxton Waikerie. It is in the South Australian House of Assembly electoral district of Chaffey and the Australian House of Representatives division of Barker.[ citation needed ]

The town is home to a variety of service clubs, most notably the Apex Club, Rotary Club and Lions Club.[ citation needed ]

Media

Historically, Loxton has been home to several newspapers. These include:

Channels from the following television networks are available in Loxton:

Transport

The first form of regular transport to Loxton was paddle steamers on the Murray River. The Loxton railway line was completed in 1914 [12] connecting via Alawoona and Tailem Bend to Adelaide. Loxton today is connected by road to the Sturt Highway which passes nearby at Kingston-on-Murray and is the northern terminus of the Karoonda Highway and eastern terminus of the Stott Highway. The railway now terminates at the Tookayerta grain terminal a few kilometres out of town, but does not carry passengers, and is anticipated to close completely in 2015. [13]

Salt interception scheme

Loxton is a town with many farms and fruit crops. The joint programme of salt interception schemes to help keep salt out of the River Murray, costing an estimated $60 million, commenced in 2001. This programme was expected to deliver 61 EC at Morgan by December 2007. The partner Governments of New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia and the Commonwealth have agreed that joint salt interception schemes must both be economically and technically feasible.[ citation needed ]

Loxton Gift

The Loxton Gift athletics carnival offers the most prize money in South Australia apart from the Bay Sheffield held at Glenelg. The program includes races from 70m to 1000m and is the final major South Australian lead-up event to the Stawell Gift held at Easter.[ citation needed ]

Loxton Pedal Prix

Since 2014, the streets of the town have been shut off in May for the running of the Loxton Pedal Prix, which is a round of the Australian HPV Super Series. The track incorporates the major central roundabout and the surrounding main streets. It includes two long 600m straights, one uphill and one downhill. The event has proved popular with locals, riders and spectators alike, and is now a mainstay on the Australian HPV Super Series calendar. In 2018 it will be round 2 of the series.[ citation needed ]

Heritage listings

Loxton has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

Notable persons born in Loxton

Climate

Loxton experiences a cold semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification: BSk), Trewartha: BSak); with warm, dry summers; mild dry springs and autumns; and mild, relatively dry winters.

Climate data for Loxton Research Centre, South Australia, Australia (1984-present normals and extremes); 30 m AMSL
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)45.7
(114.3)
47.1
(116.8)
41.5
(106.7)
39.4
(102.9)
29.6
(85.3)
25.7
(78.3)
27.3
(81.1)
31.0
(87.8)
35.4
(95.7)
40.1
(104.2)
43.6
(110.5)
47.3
(117.1)
47.3
(117.1)
Mean maximum °C (°F)39.6
(103.3)
38.5
(101.3)
35.3
(95.5)
30.0
(86.0)
24.3
(75.7)
19.4
(66.9)
19.1
(66.4)
22.2
(72.0)
27.1
(80.8)
31.9
(89.4)
35.4
(95.7)
37.2
(99.0)
39.6
(103.3)
Average high °C (°F)32.2
(90.0)
31.4
(88.5)
28.4
(83.1)
24.0
(75.2)
19.6
(67.3)
16.4
(61.5)
16.0
(60.8)
17.6
(63.7)
20.9
(69.6)
24.5
(76.1)
27.7
(81.9)
30.1
(86.2)
24.1
(75.3)
Daily mean °C (°F)23.6
(74.5)
23.0
(73.4)
20.4
(68.7)
16.4
(61.5)
13.0
(55.4)
10.5
(50.9)
10.0
(50.0)
11.0
(51.8)
13.7
(56.7)
16.5
(61.7)
19.5
(67.1)
21.7
(71.1)
16.6
(61.9)
Average low °C (°F)14.9
(58.8)
14.6
(58.3)
12.3
(54.1)
8.7
(47.7)
6.4
(43.5)
4.6
(40.3)
3.9
(39.0)
4.5
(40.1)
6.4
(43.5)
8.5
(47.3)
11.3
(52.3)
13.2
(55.8)
9.1
(48.4)
Mean minimum °C (°F)10.1
(50.2)
10.1
(50.2)
7.6
(45.7)
4.2
(39.6)
1.3
(34.3)
−0.5
(31.1)
−0.7
(30.7)
−0.5
(31.1)
1.5
(34.7)
3.9
(39.0)
6.4
(43.5)
8.7
(47.7)
−0.7
(30.7)
Record low °C (°F)4.8
(40.6)
6.1
(43.0)
3.2
(37.8)
−1.3
(29.7)
−3.5
(25.7)
−5.4
(22.3)
−4.6
(23.7)
−4.6
(23.7)
−3.2
(26.2)
0.4
(32.7)
2.7
(36.9)
4.4
(39.9)
−5.4
(22.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches)18.2
(0.72)
18.0
(0.71)
11.5
(0.45)
18.3
(0.72)
23.4
(0.92)
24.2
(0.95)
26.4
(1.04)
26.3
(1.04)
27.4
(1.08)
23.8
(0.94)
22.8
(0.90)
23.0
(0.91)
263.3
(10.38)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)2.41.81.92.73.95.06.05.74.64.13.63.144.8
Average relative humidity (%)40.543.547.051.062.069.568.059.551.543.042.040.551.5
Average dew point °C (°F)8.7
(47.7)
9.3
(48.7)
8.6
(47.5)
7.5
(45.5)
7.4
(45.3)
6.4
(43.5)
6.0
(42.8)
4.8
(40.6)
5.3
(41.5)
4.9
(40.8)
6.5
(43.7)
7.6
(45.7)
6.9
(44.4)
Mean monthly sunshine hours 322.4285.3288.3243.0195.3156.0179.8220.1234.0275.9282.0303.82,985.9
Mean daily sunshine hours 10.410.19.38.16.35.25.87.17.88.99.49.88.2
Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology (1984-present normals extremes) [19]

Related Research Articles

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

Renmark is a town in South Australia's rural Riverland area, and is located 254 km (157.83 mi) northeast of Adelaide, on the banks of the River Murray. The Sturt Highway between Adelaide and Sydney runs through the town; Renmark is the last major town encountered in South Australia when driving this route. It is a few kilometres west of the SA–Victoria and SA–NSW borders. It is 31 m (101.71 ft) above sea level. At the 2016 census, Renmark had a population of 4,634.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Riverland</span> Region in South Australia

The Riverland is a region of South Australia. It covers an area of 9,386 square kilometres (3,624 sq mi) along the River Murray from where it flows into South Australia from New South Wales and Victoria downstream to Blanchetown. The major town centres are Renmark, Berri, Loxton, Waikerie, Barmera and Monash, and many minor townships. The population is approximately 35,000 people.

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

Berri is a city in the Riverland region of South Australia. It is 238 kilometres north-east of Adelaide, the capital of the state of South Australia and a few kilometres west of the SA-Victoria border. It is primarily an agricultural and viticultural city on the north bank of the Murray River. It is the original home of a juice company, Berri Ltd.

Parilla is a town and a locality in the Australian state of South Australia located in the state's Murray Mallee region about 192 kilometres (119 mi) east of the state capital of Adelaide, about 32 kilometres (20 mi) west of the municipal seat of Pinnaroo and about 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) east of the town of Lameroo.

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

Waikerie is a rural town in the Riverland region of South Australia on the south bank of the Murray River. At the 2016 census, Waikerie had a population of 2,684. The Sturt Highway passes to the south of the town at the top of the cliffs. There is a cable ferry crossing the river to provide vehicle access from the north side of the river. Waikerie is known for citrus growing, along with stone fruit and grapes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blanchetown</span> Town in South Australia

Blanchetown is a small township in South Australia, on the (west) bank of the Murray River, 130 kilometres (81 mi) northeast of Adelaide. The Blanchetown Bridge is the westernmost of the four crossings of the Sturt Highway over the Murray River. During the nineteenth century it was an important transportation centre on the lower Murray. In the early 21st century, Blanchetown has been described as "a strange mixture of historic buildings and temporary shacks built by holidaymakers on the banks of the river". Blanchetown is widely regarded as the entrance to the Riverland district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electoral district of Chaffey</span> State electoral district of South Australia

Chaffey, created in 1936, is a single-member electoral district for the South Australian House of Assembly. It covers the Riverland region of South Australia including the towns of Renmark, Berri, Barmera, Loxton and Waikerie. The seat is named after brothers George and William Chaffey who established the irrigation area along the Murray River from 1886.

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

Ramco is a town in the Riverland region of South Australia 170 kilometres (110 mi) north-east of the state capital, Adelaide and 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) west of Waikerie. At the 2016 census, Ramco had a population of 166. It is on the south (left) bank of the Murray River downstream from Waikerie.

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

Paruna is a town in eastern South Australia. The town is located on the Browns Well Highway, where it crosses the former Barmera railway line, 237 kilometres (147 mi) east of the state capital, Adelaide.

The Murray Pioneer is a weekly newspaper published since 1892 in Renmark, South Australia. It is now owned by the Taylor Group of Newspapers.

Peebinga is a town and locality in the Australian state of South Australia. Peebinga was the terminus of the Peebinga railway line which was built in 1914 as part of a major state government project to open up the Murray Mallee for grazing and cropping.

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

Maggea is a town and locality in the Murray Mallee region of South Australia. It is on the Stott Highway between Swan Reach and Loxton and was on the former Waikerie railway line. The town is almost deserted now that the railway line has closed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chowilla, South Australia</span> Place in South Australia

Chowilla is a locality in the Australian state of South Australia, located on the northern side of the Murray River about 250 kilometres to the north-east of the capital city of Adelaide and about 40 kilometres to the north-east of the town of Renmark, and which is bounded by the border with New South Wales in the east.

Calperum Station is a locality in the Australian state of South Australia located on the northern side of the Murray River about 10 kilometres to the north of the town of Renmark and about 250 kilometres east of the centre of the capital city of Adelaide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katarapko, South Australia</span> Suburb of Berri Barmera Council, South Australia

Katarapko is a locality in the Australian state of South Australia located in the Riverland about 188 kilometres north-east of the state capital of Adelaide and about 6.6 kilometres (4.1 mi) north of Loxton.

Billiatt is a locality in the Australian state of South Australia located in the south-east of the state in the Murray Mallee region about 168 kilometres north-east of the state capital of Adelaide.

Spectacle Lake is a locality in the Australian state of South Australia located in the Riverland on the northern side of the Murray River about 180 kilometres north-east of the Adelaide city centre and about 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) northwest of Loxton. Its boundaries were created in August 1999 along with the selection of its name which was derived from the Spectacle Lakes, a lake system which is situated within the locality on the floodplain of the Murray River. In 2014, a portion of Spectacle Lake was removed and added to the adjoining locality of Loveday to ensure the full extent of Nynes Island is within Loveday. As of 2012, the land use within Spectacle Lake was divided between conservation and agriculture with the former being concerned with the floodplain. Spectacle Lake is located within the federal division of Barker, the state electoral district of Chaffey and the unincorporated area of South Australia.

Gerard is a locality in the Australian state of South Australia located in the Riverland on the northern side of the Murray River about 182 kilometres north-east of the state capital of Adelaide and about 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) northwest of Loxton.

Pike River is a locality in the Australian state of South Australia located in the Riverland in the state’s east on the southern side of the Murray River about 210 kilometres (130 mi) north-east of the state capital of Adelaide and about 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) south-east of the municipal seat of Renmark.

The Loxton News was a weekly newspaper published in Loxton, South Australia, and published continuously between April 1960 and April 2020.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Search results for "Loxton, LOCB" with the following datasets selected - 'Suburbs and Localities', 'Counties', 'Hundreds', 'Local Government Areas', 'SA Government Regions' and 'Gazetteer'". Location SA Map Viewer. Government of South Australia. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  2. 1 2 Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Loxton (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 30 November 2019. OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  3. "Loxton, South Australia (Postcode)". postcodes-australia.com. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  4. "District of Chaffey Background Profile". ELECTORAL COMMISSION SA. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  5. "Federal electoral division of Barker, boundary gazetted 16 December 2011" (PDF). Australian Electoral Commission. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 "Loxton Research Centre Averages". Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  7. "Erawirung (SA)". www.samuseum.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  8. 1 2 Laube, Anthony. "LibGuides: SA Newspapers: Riverland". guides.slsa.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  9. "Loxton Clarion". www.samemory.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  10. The Loxton clarion and Murray lands advocate [newspaper]. Loxton, S. Aust: The Loxton Clarion. 1925.
  11. "Loxton community newsletter / The Loxton District War Memorial Community Centre Incorporated" . Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  12. "LOXTON RAILWAY". The Observer . Adelaide. 24 January 1914. p. 34. Retrieved 4 February 2015 via National Library of Australia.
  13. "Freight Study & Rail Operations Investigation" (PDF). Flywheel Advisory. Regional Development Australia – Murraylands and Riverland. 17 November 2014. p. 11. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 March 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  14. "St Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church and Hall". South Australian Heritage Register. Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  15. "Loxton Institute, sometime District Council Office". South Australian Heritage Register. Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  16. "Dwelling ('Loxton Villa')". South Australian Heritage Register. Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  17. "Bush Bee Man takes beekeeping to the small screen". ABC Riverland. 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  18. "Beekeeper's varroa forecast... buzzkill". SA Farmer. 19 July 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  19. "Loxton Research Centre, SA Climate (1984-present normals and extremes)". Australian Bureau of Meteorology . Retrieved 5 June 2022.