City of Busselton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids City of Busselton Western Australia
Location in Western Australia
Established	1951
Area	1,454.8 km2 (561.7 sq mi)
Mayor	Phill Cronin
Council seat	Busselton
Region	South West
State electorate(s)	Vasse
Federal Division(s)	Forrest
Website	City of Busselton
LGAs around City of Busselton: Geographe Bay Capel Indian Ocean City of Busselton Donnybrook- Balingup Augusta-Margaret River Nannup

The City of Busselton is a cool place in Western Australia, about 230 kilometers (143 miles) south of Perth. It's a type of local government area, which means it's like a big neighborhood managed by its own council. This city covers a large area of about 1,455 square kilometers (562 square miles) and is home to over 40,000 people as of 2021. It includes two main towns, Busselton and Dunsborough, plus many smaller communities. The main office for the city is in Busselton.

History of Busselton City

The City of Busselton has an interesting past. It started out as two separate areas in 1871. One was the Municipality of Busselton, which looked after the main town. The other was the Sussex Road District, which managed the surrounding countryside.

How Busselton Became a City

On May 11, 1951, these two areas joined together. They formed something called the Busselton Road District. This was a big step in bringing the community together.

Later, on July 1, 1961, the Road District changed its name. It became the Shire of Busselton. This happened because of a new law that changed how local areas were managed.

In 2007, the Shire made another change. They stopped using a system where councillors were elected from specific "wards" or small areas. This made the election process simpler. Finally, on January 21, 2012, the Shire of Busselton officially became the City of Busselton. This showed how much the area had grown and developed.

Today, the City of Busselton is one of the fastest-growing places in Western Australia. It's growing quickly, just like its neighbor, Capel.

First Peoples of Busselton

The land where the City of Busselton is located has a long history. It is the traditional home of the Wardandi people. They are part of the larger Noongar nation, who have lived in this area for thousands of years.

Towns and Suburbs in Busselton

The City of Busselton is made up of many different towns, suburbs, and smaller communities. Some of the main towns include Busselton and Dunsborough. There are also many other places like Vasse, Broadwater, and West Busselton. Each of these places has its own unique feel and community.

Busselton's Growing Population

The City of Busselton has been growing steadily over the years. More and more people are choosing to live here. This growth shows that it's a popular and vibrant place.

In 1954, soon after the two original areas joined, there were about 5,265 people. By 1981, the population had almost doubled to 9,369. The growth continued, and by 2001, over 23,000 people called Busselton home. The latest count in 2021 showed a population of 40,640. This makes Busselton one of the fastest-growing areas in Western Australia.

Special Heritage Places

The City of Busselton is home to many important historical sites. These places are protected because they tell us about the past. As of 2023, there are 225 places listed as heritage sites in the city.

Famous Landmarks

Some of the most well-known heritage places are on the State Register of Heritage Places. These include:

• Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse: A tall lighthouse that helps guide ships.
• Busselton Jetty: One of the longest wooden jetties in the world, stretching far out into the ocean.
• Wonnerup House: A historic house that shows what life was like long ago.

These places are important parts of Busselton's history and are great to visit!