Wheatbelt (Western Australia)

The Wheatbelt region is one of the nine regions of Western Australia. It partially surrounds the Perth metropolitan area, extending north from Perth to the Mid West region, and east to the Goldfields-Esperance region. It is bordered to the south by the South West and Great Southern regions, and to the west by the Indian Ocean, the Perth metropolitan area, and the Peel region. Altogether, it has an area of convert|154862|km2|sqmi|0|lk=on (including islands), and a population of about 72,000 people. The population is widely distributed, with only about 16,000 people living in the main towns of Northam, Narrogin, Merredin and Moora.

The Wheatbelt encompasses a range of environments and industries. Near the coast, it receives relatively high rainfall and mild temperature, and its convert|150|km|mi|0|lk=on of coastline is a significant tourist area. In contrast, the eastern fringe is very arid, and is mainly used for mining of minerals including gold, nickel and iron ore. The remainder to the region is highly suited to agriculture, and is the source of nearly two thirds of the state's wheat production, half of its wool production, and the majority of its Lamb and mutton, oranges, honey, cut flowers and a range of other agricultural and pastoral products.

Local government areas

The Wheatbelt region includes the following local government areas:
*Shire of Beverley
*Shire of Brookton
*Shire of Bruce Rock
*Shire of Chittering
*Shire of Corrigin
*Shire of Cuballing
*Shire of Cunderdin
*Shire of Dandaragan
*Shire of Dalwallinu
*Shire of Dowerin
*Shire of Dumbleyung
*Shire of Gingin
*Shire of Goomalling
*Shire of Kellerberrin
*Shire of Kondinin
*Shire of Koorda
*Shire of Kulin
*Shire of Lake Grace
*Shire of Merredin
*Shire of Moora
*Shire of Mount Marshall
*Shire of Mukinbudin
*Shire of Narembeen
*Shire of Narrogin
*Town of Narrogin
*Shire of Northam
*Shire of Nungarin
*Shire of Pingelly
*Shire of Quairading
*Shire of Tammin
*Shire of Toodyay
*Shire of Trayning
*Shire of Victoria Plains
*Shire of Wagin
*Shire of Wandering
*Shire of West Arthur
*Shire of Westonia
*Shire of Wickepin
*Shire of Williams
*Shire of Wongan-Ballidu
*Shire of Wyalkatchem
*Shire of Yilgarn
*Shire of York

External links

* [http://www.wheatbelt.wa.gov.au/ Wheatbelt Development Commission]