Gascoyne Junction, Western Australia

Last updated

Gascoyne Junction
Western Australia
Gascoyne Junction Hotel - panoramio.jpg
The Gascoyne Junction Hotel in 2007, destroyed in the 2010 floods
Australia Western Australia location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Gascoyne Junction
Gascoyne Junction, Western Australia
Coordinates 25°03′S115°13′E / 25.05°S 115.21°E / -25.05; 115.21
Population65 (SAL 2021) [1]
Established1897
Postcode(s) 6705
Elevation144 m (472 ft)
Area21.1 km2 (8.1 sq mi)
Location
LGA(s) Shire of Upper Gascoyne
State electorate(s) North West
Federal division(s) Durack

Gascoyne Junction is a small town in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia, inland from Carnarvon on the junction of the Gascoyne River and Lyons River. At the 2006 census, Gascoyne Junction had a population of 149. [2]

Contents

History

The Upper Gascoyne Road Board Office in 2020 Upper Gascoyne Road Board Office, July 2020 04.jpg
The Upper Gascoyne Road Board Office in 2020

The town is named for its position at the junction of the Gascoyne and Lyons Rivers. The Gascoyne River was named by the explorer Lieutenant George Grey in 1839 after his friend, Captain J. Gascoyne (RN).

A police station was built in about 1897, and settlers asked the Government to declare a townsite. By 1909, a general store and other buildings had been erected on private land, and in 1912, the Government finally acceded to the request, naming the town "Killili" after a local Aboriginal word meaning "bullrush" following the Surveyor General's request for a "euphonious native name". For many years, the police station, road board (1912) and hotel were the only buildings in the area, and in 1938, the Roads Board complained about the name, saying that "Gascoyne Junction" and "The Junction" were the names in common use, and asking the Lands Department to "expunge" the name of Killili. The name was changed and gazetted in 1939. [3] [4] The local road board office, now a heritage-listed site, was used as a meeting place for local associations, and later as the first school in the area (1960–1965) and, since the late 1990s, as a museum. [5] The town's population has been stable since the 1950s.

Present day

Gascoyne Junction is now a centre for mining, pastoral and desert merino fine wool industries, and serves as a gateway to nearby attractions such as Mount Augustus National Park and Kennedy Range National Park. The town contains the Shire of Upper Gascoyne Council Office, the Junction Pub and Tourist Park, Gascoyne Junction Community Resource Centre & Visitor Information Centre. The Community Resource Centre is an agency for Australia Post, the Western Australia Department of Transport, Services Australia and local library. The Junction Pub & Tourist Park provides a variety of accommodation, a pub and roadhouse with both diesel and unleaded fuel. Picnic and playground facilities with BBQ are available in Federation Park surrounding the Town Pavilion. In late 2021 a Visitor Stop will be finished welcoming visitors to the town, creating an outdoor museum and amphitheatre. [6]

It was reported to be the least religious place in Australia, with 66.5 per cent of the population stating that they had no religion in the 2016 Census. [7]

Transport and utilities

Power is supplied by Horizon Power, who run a diesel power station in the town. The town supplies its own water from bores, which is treated by the Water Corporation. The Carnarvon–Mullewa Road, which passes through the town, is sealed between Carnarvon and Gascoyne Junction; a ceremony to mark the reconstruction of the last section was held on 20 May 2011. Australia Post services the region with private contractors, who also deliver petroleum and cargo. [8] [9]

Education

A new Remote Community School was opened in 2005 for kindergarten through year 12, with high school and some TAFE classes being provided through the School of Isolated and Distance Education. It replaces an earlier school going back to 1960, and its students have historically used the Carnarvon School of the Air program. Many of the students are of Indigenous origin. [10] The nearest TAFE facility is in Carnarvon, and the nearest university courses are offered at Carnarvon High School through Open Universities Australia, and through Pilbara TAFE in Karratha and Port Hedland, which offer some Curtin University courses through the Centre for Regional Education.

2010 floods

Evacuation was required due to the Gascoyne River floods of late December 2010. [11] This significant flood event saw the destruction of the town's original pub The Junction Hotel. It was originally constructed in 1906 as the general store.

Climate

Gascoyne Junction has a hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification: DWH), with very hot summers and mild winters. It holds the Australian record for the hottest Christmas day of 48.3 °C (118.9 °F), set in 1997. [12]

Climate data for Gascoyne Junction
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)48.6
(119.5)
48.8
(119.8)
46.5
(115.7)
44.2
(111.6)
38.5
(101.3)
30.8
(87.4)
32.1
(89.8)
36.2
(97.2)
39.6
(103.3)
42.5
(108.5)
45.0
(113.0)
48.3
(118.9)
48.8
(119.8)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)40.7
(105.3)
39.8
(103.6)
37.5
(99.5)
32.9
(91.2)
27.7
(81.9)
23.8
(74.8)
23.1
(73.6)
24.9
(76.8)
28.3
(82.9)
32.4
(90.3)
35.3
(95.5)
38.7
(101.7)
32.1
(89.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)23.9
(75.0)
24.4
(75.9)
22.5
(72.5)
18.7
(65.7)
13.8
(56.8)
10.5
(50.9)
9.5
(49.1)
10.0
(50.0)
12.0
(53.6)
15.5
(59.9)
18.1
(64.6)
21.3
(70.3)
16.7
(62.0)
Record low °C (°F)15.5
(59.9)
15.6
(60.1)
13.0
(55.4)
8.3
(46.9)
3.9
(39.0)
2.4
(36.3)
1.4
(34.5)
1.3
(34.3)
4.4
(39.9)
6.1
(43.0)
8.9
(48.0)
14.0
(57.2)
1.3
(34.3)
Average rainfall mm (inches)23.7
(0.93)
29.1
(1.15)
30.2
(1.19)
14.4
(0.57)
27.2
(1.07)
31.5
(1.24)
27.0
(1.06)
11.9
(0.47)
3.0
(0.12)
4.5
(0.18)
3.5
(0.14)
4.2
(0.17)
210.2
(8.29)
Average rainy days2.32.72.21.62.83.63.32.10.70.70.60.623.2
Average relative humidity (%) (at 3pm)20242429344240332521201828
Source: Bureau of Meteorology [13]

Related Research Articles

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

Nyngan is a town in the centre of New South Wales, Australia, in the Bogan Shire local government area within the Orana Region of central New South Wales. At the 2016 census, Nyngan had a population of 1,988 people. Nyngan is situated on the Bogan River between Narromine and Bourke, on the junction of the Mitchell Highway and Barrier Highway, 656 km (408 mi) south of Charleville and 576 km (358 mi) north-west of Sydney by road. The Barrier Highway starts at Nyngan, and runs west to Cobar and on through Wilcannia and Broken Hill into South Australia.

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

Carnarvon is a coastal town situated approximately 900 kilometres (560 mi) north of Perth, in Western Australia. It lies at the mouth of the Gascoyne River on the Indian Ocean. The popular Shark Bay world heritage area lies to the south of the town and the Ningaloo Reef and the popular tourist town of Exmouth lie to the north. Mungullah Aboriginal Community was formerly in the town however it has moved east of the town.

The Gascoyne region is one of the nine administrative regions of Western Australia. It is located in the northwest of Western Australia, and consists of the local government areas of Carnarvon, Exmouth, Shark Bay and Upper Gascoyne. The Gascoyne has about 600 km (370 mi) of Indian Ocean coastline; extends inland about 500 km (310 mi); and has an area of 135,073.8 km2 (52,152.3 sq mi), including islands.

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

Collie is a town in the South West region of Western Australia, 213 kilometres (132 mi) south of the state capital, Perth, and 59 kilometres (37 mi) inland from the regional city and port of Bunbury. It is near the junction of the Collie and Harris Rivers, in the middle of dense jarrah forest and the only coalfields in Western Australia. At the 2021 census, Collie had a population of 7,599.

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

Meekatharra is a town in the Mid West region of Western Australia. Meekatharra is a Yamatji word meaning "place of little water". At the 2016 census, Meekatharra had a population of 708, with 34.0% being of Aboriginal descent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North West Coastal Highway</span> Highway in Western Australia

North West Coastal Highway is a generally north-south Western Australian highway which links the coastal city of Geraldton with the town of Port Hedland. The 1,300-kilometre-long (808 mi) road, constructed as a sealed two-lane single carriageway, travels through remote and largely arid landscapes. Carnarvon is the only large settlement on the highway, and is an oasis within the harsh surrounding environment. The entire highway is allocated National Route 1, part of Australia's Highway 1, and parts of the highway are included in tourist routes Batavia Coast Tourist Way and Cossack Tourist Way. Economically, North West Coastal Highway is an important link to the Mid West, Gascoyne and Pilbara regions, supporting the agricultural, pastoral, fishing, and tourism industries, as well as mining and offshore oil and gas production.

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

Morawa is a town in the Mid West region of Western Australia. It is located within the Shire of Morawa, approximately 370 kilometres (230 mi) north of the state capital Perth, on the railway line between Wongan Hills and Mullewa.

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

Yalgoo is a town in the Mid-west region, 499 kilometres (310 mi) north-north-east of Perth, Western Australia and 118 kilometres (73 mi) east-north-east of Mullewa. Yalgoo is in the local government area of the Shire of Yalgoo.

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

Coral Bay is a small coastal settlement located 1,200 kilometres (750 mi) north of Perth, in the Shire of Carnarvon in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Grace, Western Australia</span> Town in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia

Lake Grace is a town in the eastern Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, 345 kilometres (214 mi) from Perth along State Route 107 between Wagin and Ravensthorpe. It is the main town in the Shire of Lake Grace. At the 2016 census, Lake Grace had a population of 507.

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

Brunswick Junction is a town in the South West of Western Australia, situated along the South Western Highway between Harvey and Bunbury. It had a population of 772 people at the 2016 census, down from 797 at the 2006 census.

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

Harvey is a town located in the South West of Western Australia along the South Western Highway, 140 kilometres (87 mi) south of Perth, between Pinjarra and Bunbury. It has a population of 2,750. Harvey Town is known for its dairy industry and oranges.

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

Brookton is a town in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, 138 kilometres (86 mi) from the state capital, Perth via the Brookton Highway where it crosses the Great Southern Highway. The town is on the Great Southern railway line. It is within, and is the seat of government for, the Shire of Brookton. At the 2016 census, Brookton had a population of 975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shire of Upper Gascoyne</span> Local government area in Western Australia

The Shire of Upper Gascoyne is a local government area in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia, inland from Carnarvon and about 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) north of the state capital, Perth. The Shire has an area of 57,939 square kilometres (22,370 sq mi), much of which is uninhabited land or sparsely vegetated sheep station country, and its seat of government is the small town of Gascoyne Junction. It has a population of 170, 56% of whom identify as Aboriginal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Steve</span> Category 3 Australian region cyclone in 2000

Tropical Cyclone Steve was a tropical cyclone that affected northern Australia from 27 February 2000 until 11 March 2000. Cyclone Steve was noted for its longevity and traversal of northern and western Australia. It impacted on regions of northern Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia before clearing to the south of the continent. Steve is the first known Australian cyclone to make four distinct landfalls in the country.

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

Preston Beach is a small town located in the Peel region of Western Australia just off the Forrest Highway, between Mandurah and Bunbury in the Yalgorup National Park.

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

Kondinin is a town located in the eastern Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, 279 kilometres (173 mi) east of the state capital, Perth via the Brookton Highway and State Route 40 between Corrigin and Hyden. It is one of three towns in the Shire of Kondinin. At the 2006 census, Kondinin had a population of 311.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shire of Murchison</span> Local government area in the Mid West region of Western Australia

The Shire of Murchison covers a large area of the Murchison sub-region of the central part of Western Australia, 300 kilometres (186 mi) northeast of Geraldton. The shire and the older 'Murchison' region and goldfield are now part of the designated Mid West region. It is Australia's second least populated local government area after the Shire of Peppermint Grove and the only one without a town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Gascoyne River flood</span> 2010 severe flood along the Gascoyne River in Western Australia

The 2010 Gascoyne River flood was regarded as the most severe flood to take place along the Gascoyne River in Western Australia on record. Triggered by record-breaking rainfall, amounting to over 6,000 percent of the monthly mean, 313.6 mm (12.35 in) and 5 mm (0.20 in) respectively, in just four days, the floods caused widespread damage in the region. By 17 December, the river began to rise in response to the heavy rains, eventually exceeding its banks within two days. Water levels reached record values at three stations along the river, cresting at 15.53 m (51.0 ft) near Fishy Pool. Evacuation orders were issued for several towns affected by rising waters. The most substantial impact was felt in Carnarvon where entire homes were washed away. Following the disaster, emergency supplies and funds were distributed to affected residents to aid them in restoring their livelihoods. Though no people died in the event, an estimated two thousand head of cattle perished and damage was estimated at A$100 million.

The Shire of Gascoyne-Minilya was a local government area in Western Australia.

References

  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Gascoyne Junction (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022.  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  2. Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Gascoyne Junction (State Suburb)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  3. "History of country town names – G". Western Australian Land Information Authority. Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2007.
  4. "Gascoyne Junction townsite". Northern Times . Vol. XXXI, no. 1852. Western Australia. 21 April 1939. p. 4. Retrieved 30 September 2023 via National Library of Australia.
  5. Heritage Council of WA. "Register of Heritage Places - Upper Gascoyne Road Board Office (fmr)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 August 2006. Retrieved 15 November 2006.
  6. "The Gascoyne Junction Visitor Stop Construction Commences". Shire of Upper Gascoyne. 17 February 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  7. Matt Young; Charis Chang (7 July 2017). "Australia's most religious and non-religious postcodes based on who answered the Census question regarding religion". News.com.au. News Pty Limited. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
  8. Gascoyne Development Commission. "Gascoyne Economic Perspective (2006)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 October 2006. Retrieved 15 November 2006.
  9. "Carnarvon–Mullewa Road". Main Roads Western Australia. 3 September 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2015.
  10. Information sourced from Education Department portal Archived 2007-10-28 at the Wayback Machine , accessed 2006-11-15
  11. "Carnarvon residents still unable to return home". ABC News. 22 December 2010.
  12. "Queensland to bake on Christmas Day". AM . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 24 December 2003. Archived from the original on 4 November 2009. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  13. "Gascoyne Junction". Climate statistics for Australian locations. Bureau of Meteorology . Retrieved 11 March 2017.