New shire formed by dividing Wiluna Shire

1/7/93

Western Australia's newest shire - Ngaanyatjarraku - formally came into existence today.

The new Shire (pronounced 'Narn-dah-rah-koo') was created by effectively dividing the sprawling 330,429 square kilometre Shire of Wiluna. The western half remains as the Shire of Wiluna, while the eastern sector makes up Ngaanyatjarraku.

Local Government Minister Paul Omodei said a commissioner, Mr John Gilfellon, had been appointed to administer Ngaanyatjarraku until elections for eight new councillors are held on October 2.

Elections for a new council comprising seven members for the Shire of Wiluna will be held this Saturday, July 3.

Three officers from the Department of Local Government will travel to Wiluna to assist with the election.

Mr Omodei said that under the new boundaries, Wiluna Shire would have a population of about 600 while Ngaanyatjarraku, based at Warburton, would have a population of about 1,400, most of whom were Aboriginal.

He said the decision to create the new shire was strongly supported by local residents.

Media contact: Amanda O'Brien (09) 222 9595