Koolanooka, Western Australia
Koolanooka is a small town in the Mid West region of Western Australia. It is situated between Morawa and Perenjori just off the Mullewa-Wubin road. At the 2006 census, Koolanooka had a population of 46.[2]
| Koolanooka Western Australia | |
|---|---|
  Koolanooka | |
| Coordinates | 29.267°S 116.067°E |
| Population | 22 (SAL 2021)[1] |
| Established | 1916 |
| Postcode(s) | 6623 |
| Elevation | 280 m (919 ft) |
| Area | 667.6 km2 (257.8 sq mi) |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Shire of Morawa |
| State electorate(s) | Moore |
| Federal division(s) | Durack |
In 1932 the Wheat Pool of Western Australia announced that the town would have two grain elevators, each fitted with an engine, installed at the railway siding.[3]
Name
Originating as a station on the Mullewa to Wongan Hills railway line, it was initially known as Bowgada when it was planned in 1913. The name Bowgada was taken from the pastoral station located nearby. Shortly before the line was opened in 1914 the name changed to Koolanooka and the next station south on the railway line was named Bowgada instead. The townsite was gazetted in 1916.[4]
The town takes its name from the nearby Koolanooka Spring. The word is Aboriginal in origin and means place of plenty wild turkeys.
Iron ore mining
An iron ore mine was opened in the area in 1965 along with the associated railway spur line, powerhouse, port facilities at Geraldton and housing for workers in Morawa.[5]
The original 1966 Koolanooka iron mine was the first iron ore exporting mine in Western Australia.[6]
In 2006 iron ore mining was re-commencing at the location.
Transport
It has a railway station on the narrow gauge, originally Western Australian Government Railways now Arc Infrastructure network, on what was known as the Mullewa line.[7]
References
- Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Koolanooka (Suburb and Locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
- Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Koolanooka (State Suburb)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 16 July 2011.
- "Country elevators". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 6 July 1932. p. 10. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
- "History of country town names – K". Western Australian Land Information Authority. Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
- "Koolanooka Mine". Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
- "Koolanooka Mine". 17 October 2012. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013.
- "Railway Washaways". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 29 March 1927. p. 8. Retrieved 17 October 2012.