Ruqayyah Snyder
Western Australia is divided into several regions, each with its distinct characteristics, economic contributions, and natural features. These regions are defined by various systems, including economic development, land management, and meteorological factors. The Regional Development Commissions Act of 1993 established nine regions, excluding the Perth metropolitan area, to promote economic growth and capture distinct socio-economic communities. Western Australia boasts the longest coastline in the country, with diverse coastal zones and a thriving agricultural sector, particularly in the Wheatbelt region. The regions vary from the densely populated southwest to the remote Outback, showcasing a range of landscapes and communities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of regions | 9 |
| Regions | Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne, Murchison, Mid-West, Wheatbelt, Metropolitan, South West, South Coast, Goldfields, Nullarbor, Arid Interior, Outback, Eremaean province, North West, Southwest, Coastal zones |
| Region names source | Regional Development Commissions Act (RDCA) |
| Region names used by | Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) |
| Regional Development Commissions Act | Established in 1993 to promote economic development |
| Regional strengths | Agriculture, fisheries, food production, mining |
| Longest coastline of any state in Australia | 10,194 kilometres (6,334 mi) |
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What You'll Learn
Western Australia's nine regions
Western Australia is divided into regions according to various systems. The most common system is the division of the state by the Government of Western Australia in 1993 into nine regions for economic development purposes. These nine regions are:
- Goldfields–Esperance: This region has an economy heavily based on mining.
- Wheatbelt: The Wheatbelt region is dependent on agriculture for its economy.
- Batavia Coast: This region incorporates the areas of Dongara, Geraldton, and Kalbarri.
- Gascoyne Coast: This region includes Carnarvon, Coral Bay, Denham, and Exmouth.
- Coral Coast: This region is located at the northern end of the Gascoyne Coast.
- Turquoise Coast: This region is located north of the Sunset Coast and south of the Batavia Coast.
- Sunset Coast: This region includes the Perth Metropolitan beachside suburbs from Cottesloe to Yanchep.
It is important to note that the names and boundaries of regions can vary depending on the system being used. For example, the Bureau of Meteorology uses 14 regions, while the Australian Bureau of Statistics divides Western Australia into statistical divisions, subdivisions, and local areas. Additionally, there are five larger "land divisions" in Western Australia, as listed in the Land Administration Act 1997.
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Regional Development Commissions Act 1993
Western Australia is divided into regions according to various systems. The most common system is the division of the state by the Government of Western Australia in 1993, which established nine distinct regions for economic development purposes. This system was formalised by the Regional Development Commissions Act 1993, which defined the extents of these regions and established Regional Development Commissions to promote their economic development.
The Regional Development Commissions Act 1993 is legislation passed by the Parliament of Western Australia to establish regional development commissions, coordinate and promote regional development, and establish a regional development council. The Act provides for the establishment of nine commissions, each with a chairperson, and these commissions fall under the control of the Minister for Local Government and Regional Development. The Regional Development Council is an independent statutory advisory body that provides advice to the Minister for Regional Development on all regional development issues. It consists of the chairpersons from each of the nine Regional Development Commissions and the Director-General of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
The nine regions established by the Act include the Goldfields-Esperance region, with an economy based heavily on mining, and the Wheatbelt region, which is economically dependent on agriculture. These regions were defined with the aim of capturing distinct socio-economic communities.
The Regional Development Commissions Act 1993 is an important piece of legislation that has helped to shape the economic landscape of Western Australia. By promoting regional development and providing a framework for coordination and collaboration, the Act has contributed to the unique potential and strategic opportunities of each region. While each region has its distinct characteristics, they also face shared challenges and opportunities that require a collaborative approach to address, as highlighted in WA's State Infrastructure Strategy.
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Arid, remote and outback areas
Western Australia (WA) is divided into regions according to several systems. The most common system is the division of the state by the Government of Western Australia in 1993 into nine regions for economic development purposes. However, the definition of "regional" can vary depending on the context and the specific system being used.
When it comes to arid, remote, and outback areas in Western Australia, there are indeed regions that fit this description. The Outback, for example, is a remote, sparsely populated area of Australia, including parts of Western Australia. It encompasses a range of climatic zones, including arid areas in the "Red Centre" and semi-arid regions in the south. The Western Plateau and its semi-arid northern plains, where bodies of water are scarce, are also considered part of the Outback in Western Australia.
The Kimberley region in Western Australia is part of the Great Australian Desert, which covers about 18% of the Australian mainland. This region experiences relatively high rainfall for a desert, but due to high evapotranspiration, it is still considered arid. The Great Western Woodlands in the south of the Outback is another arid area, covering 16,000,000 hectares, making it the largest remaining temperate woodland on Earth.
The Eremaean province, synonymous with Arid Western Australia, is a biological region characterized by dry conditions and unique plant life. Remote Western Australia, also known as Outback Western Australia, is defined by its distance and separation from the more densely populated southwest region surrounding Perth. This area includes the scattered and low-density populated regions towards the central east of Western Australia.
The arid and outback areas of Western Australia have distinct ecological characteristics. Major landforms include the Kimberley and Pilbara regions in northern Western Australia, the MacDonnell Ranges, and the Nullarbor Plain north of the Great Australian Bight. The Outback is also known for its rich mineral resources, including iron, aluminium, manganese, uranium, gold, nickel, copper, and diamond mines.
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Regional strengths and strategic opportunities
Western Australia (WA) is divided into regions according to various systems. The most common system is the division of the state by the Government of Western Australia in 1993, which comprises nine defined regional regions that exclude the Perth metropolitan region. The Regional Development Commissions Act 1993 established these nine regions, each with distinct socio-economic communities.
One of the key regional strengths of Western Australia lies in its diverse and robust economy. The Goldfields-Esperance region, for example, has an economy heavily based on mining, while the Wheatbelt region is a powerhouse of agricultural production, contributing significantly to the state's livestock, grain, and horticulture industries. The Wheatbelt is the largest producing region in the state, accounting for approximately 41% of the state's total agricultural production, valued at $3.4 billion in 2015-16.
Western Australia also boasts the longest coastline of any state in Australia, spanning 10,194 kilometres. This extensive coastline presents strategic opportunities for the region, particularly in areas such as tourism, fisheries, and marine-related industries. The Bureau of Meteorology plays a crucial role in providing coastal water forecasts, utilizing features like points and capes along the coastline.
The unique characteristics of each region in Western Australia offer specific strengths and opportunities. For instance, the Kimberley Region in the north is defined by its vast pastoral leases, while the Pilbara Region is known for its mining and mineral resources. The Gascoyne Region, based on the Gascoyne River Catchment boundary, has its own distinct attributes, and the Mid-West Region has a strong focus on clearing and development.
To maximize the potential of these regional strengths, a collaborative approach to regional development is essential. By addressing cross-regional challenges and leveraging collective strengths, Western Australia can unlock considerable flow-on opportunities. This includes addressing gaps in social infrastructure, such as housing, health, education, and training, to ensure that the unique potential of each region is realized.
In conclusion, Western Australia's regional strengths and strategic opportunities lie in its diverse economy, abundant natural resources, and extensive coastline. By fostering collaboration between regions and addressing shared challenges, Western Australia can fully realize its unique potential and create a prosperous future for its distinct socio-economic communities.
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Western Australia's coastline
Western Australia has a diverse range of climates and landscapes, including tropical conditions in the Kimberley region, deserts in the interior, and a Mediterranean climate in the south-west and southern coastal areas. The state is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, and the Southern Ocean to the south. With a coastline reaching almost 13,000 kilometres in length, it boasts the longest coastline of any state in Australia.
The Western Australian coastline has the greatest diversity of seagrasses globally, and the meadows they form are among the largest on Earth. The coast encompasses a variety of beach environments, ranging from temperate sandy coastlines in the south to tropical reef environments in the north. The population is concentrated in the Perth metropolitan area, and the majority of the coastline in regional areas is pristine.
The earliest full charting of the coastline occurred during exploration in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. The coastline features some organisms found along its entire length, while others are specific to particular coastal regions. The underlying geology of the regions is reflected in the coastal forms, with features such as points and capes used as indicators of coastal water forecasts.
The Western Australian system of regional regions, established in 1993, comprises nine defined regions that exclude the Perth metropolitan region. These regions were established to promote economic development, with an attempt to capture distinct socio-economic communities. For example, the Goldfields-Esperance region has an economy heavily based on mining, while the Wheatbelt region is economically dependent on agriculture.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) also uses 14 regions, with regions 8 to 14 known as forecast areas in the South West Land Division. Coastal zones for sea forecasts are included in the coastal regions of Western Australia. Landgate publishes touring maps that cover coastal zones such as the Batavia Coast, Coral Coast, Gascoyne Coast, Turquoise Coast, and Sunset Coast.
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Frequently asked questions
Western Australia is divided into regions according to various systems. The most common system is the division of the state by the Government of Western Australia in 1993 into nine regions for economic development purposes. These regions include the Goldfields–Esperance, Wheatbelt, Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne, Murchison, Mid-West, South Coast, and Nullarbor regions.
The regions in Western Australia can be determined by underlying geology and features such as points and capes, which are useful for coastal water forecasts. Regional areas can also be based on factors such as land management, information gathering, and election for political office.
The Wheatbelt region is the largest producing region in Western Australia, accounting for approximately 41% of the state's agricultural production. It is the largest producer of livestock and livestock products, including meat, wool, and eggs. The region also has a significant grains industry, with wheat, barley, and canola being the primary crops.
Western Australia has the longest coastline of any state in Australia, stretching over 10,000 kilometres. It also has unique regional characteristics, such as the Goldfields-Esperance region's economy being heavily based on mining, and Remote Western Australia being defined by its distance from the more populated southwest region.
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