Earth:Wickham, Western Australia

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Short description: Town in Western Australia
Wickham
Western Australia
Wickham, Western Australia.jpg
Wickham townsite
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Coordinates [ ⚑ ] : 20°40′30″S 117°08′25″E / 20.675°S 117.14028°E / -20.675; 117.14028
Population2,295 (Template:CensusAU)[1]
Established1970
Postcode(s)6720
Location33 km (21 mi) from Karratha
LGA(s)City of Karratha
State electorate(s)North West
Federal Division(s)Durack
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
31.9 °C
89 °F
20.1 °C
68 °F
295.0 mm
11.6 in

Wickham is a town located 1,572 km north of Perth and 13 km north of Roebourne in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. In 2016 Wickham had a population of 2,295 people. Aboriginal people made up 17.2% of the population, five times the state average.[1]

History

Wickham was established in 1970 by Cliffs Robe River Iron Associates (Robe) and named after John Clements Wickham, the captain of HMS Beagle, who surveyed the north-west coast in 1840.[2]

The town's first permanent buildings were completed in 1970 by Robe to support its iron-ore mine at Pannawonica, and pelletising plant and shiploading at Cape Lambert. The majority of the residences and facilities in town are owned by Rio Tinto. Wickham was originally a closed company town but from 1980 has been jointly administered by Robe and the Shire of Roebourne.[3] In August 2000 Rio Tinto acquired a majority interest in the Robe River Iron Associates joint venture and in 2012 established a new Wickham South subdivision that included 212 new dwellings, 25 residential lots, and 198 new FIFO accommodation units.[3]

References