Northcliffe is a town located in the lower South West region of Western Australia, about 28 kilometres (17 mi) south of the town of Pemberton. It is part of the Shire of Manjimup. At the 2006 census, Northcliffe had a population of 412.[2] Currently,[timeframe?] Northcliffe serves a population of around 770 people within the town and surrounding areas. Approximately 31% of the population have post-secondary qualifications.
| Northcliffe Western Australia | |||||||||||||||
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  Northcliffe | |||||||||||||||
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| Coordinates | 34°37′59″S 116°07′26″E / 34.633°S 116.124°E | ||||||||||||||
| Population | 288 (SAL 2021)[1] | ||||||||||||||
| Established | 1923 | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 6262 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 100 m (328 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 27.4 km2 (10.6 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | |||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Shire of Manjimup | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Warren-Blackwood | ||||||||||||||
| Federal division(s) | O'Connor | ||||||||||||||
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It is largely surrounded by karri, marri and jarrah forest and is close to the Warren, D'Entrecasteaux and Shannon national parks. Primarily a dairy farming area since the region was populated under the Group Settlement scheme of the 1920s and 1930s, the district was also a centre for the tobacco and logging industries until both ceased, the former in 1960 and the latter under the Regional Forestry Agreement of 1999.
Geography
editThe town was the centre of a Group Settlement Scheme in the 1920s, and was surveyed at the request of the Premier of Western Australia, James Mitchell in 1923. It became the terminus of the Bridgetown-Jarnadup railway, and was gazetted in May 1924. Mitchell named it after Lord Northcliffe, owner of The Times and the Daily Mail in London, and Director of Propaganda in the British government during World War I, who had died in 1922.[3]
Local community organisations in Northcliffe include Northcliffe Pioneer Museum, Northcliffe Development Committee, Northcliffe Streetscape, Northcliffe Community Resource Centre, Northcliffe Family and Community Centre, Northcliffe Arts Association, Southern Forest Arts, Northcliffe Workers' Club, Northcliffe Recreation Association, Northcliffe Visitor Centre and Northcliffe Town Hall.[4]
Northcliffe is close to Mt Chudalup (a granite monolith), Northcliffe Forest Park and the beaches of Windy Harbour. Indigenous sites of significance include Tookalup.[4]
Infrastructure
editThe town has a district high school, post office, nursing post, cafe, museum, recreation centre, family and community centre, town hall, visitor centre and library, art gallery, community resource centre with internet access and Centrelink access point, hotel/motel, general store, food shop selling local produce and showcasing produce from the Southern Forests food bowl, and a public playground with barbecue and gazebo.[5]
Businesses in the area include the Bannister Downs dairy, which sells milk and related products in biodegradable containers through local, regional and Perth-based outlets.[6][7]
Northcliffe also serves the coastal holiday village of Windy Harbour.
The Bibbulmun Track walking trail and Munda Biddi bicycle trail both pass through Northcliffe.
Significant events
editIn February, 2015, Northcliffe and Windy Harbour were affected by the largest bushfire in Western Australia's history, which consumed approximately 100,000 hectares (250,000 acres), forcing many of the residents to evacuate, but with no loss of life and minimal property damage. The effect on the forests, however, was extensive, with some affected parts still[when?] to show signs of recovery.[8]
Politics
editPolling place statistics are presented below from the Northcliffe polling place in the federal and state elections as indicated.
The current MLA for the Warren-Blackwood district is Jane Kelsie (Labor) and MLC is Diane Evers (Greens).
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References
edit- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Northcliffe (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Northcliffe (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
- ^ "History of country town names – N". Western Australian Land Information Authority. Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2008.
- ^ a b Manjimup Shire Community Directory 2009/2010
- ^ Northcliffe Karri Pigeon community newspaper, various issues
- ^ Back of Bannister Downs milk carton
- ^ The West Australian newspaper, various editions featuring businesswoman Sue Daubney
- ^ "Bushfire menaces West Australian town of Northcliffe, with residents urged to evacuate | The Australian". Archived from the original on 20 February 2012.
