Regional Profile

WHEATBELT WA

The Wheatbelt region covers approximately 155,000 square kilometres, has 43 Shires, 160 towns and is home to over 74,000 people, making it the third most populous region in the State. It is divided into four main geographic regions:

  • Avon is closest to the metropolitan area, with Northam as its commercial centre;
  • Central Coastal and Central Midlands to the north, with Moora as its commercial centre,
  • Central East, with Merredin as its commercial centre; and
  • Central South, with Narrogin as its commercial centre.

The environment of the Wheatbelt is varied, with approximately 150 kilometres of coastline, stretching from Guilderton in the south to Jurien Bay in the north. Key towns in the Wheatbelt region include Northam, Moora, York, Merredin, Narrogin and Wagin. The areas in the east are rich in minerals, including gold, nickel and iron ore, while the remainder of the region is mostly agricultural.

POPULATION

The Wheatbelt region’s population has been relatively stable since 2001, growing over the past three years to reach 74,899 in 2009.
Males represent 52.2 per cent of the population in the Wheatbelt region. The population in the region is ageing, with 44 per cent of the population aged 45 years and over in 2008, although 21 per cent of the population is aged under 15 years of age.

ECONOMY

The Wheatbelt is so called because of its extensive agricultural industry. The region is the primary producer of cereal crops in the state and contributes other agricultural products such as canola, olives, vegetables, wine grapes, honey, citrus fruits and livestock. Whilst agriculture remains the dominant industry, the economy of the region is also supported by mining, commerce, manufacturing, fishing and tourism.

LABOUR MARKET

The labour force in the Wheatbelt region reached a peak in 2007 at 43,000 people. Since that time, numbers have fallen 6.9 per cent to 40,000 in 2009, representing 3.3 per cent of the State total for unemployment.

MAP