Shire of Wyndham–East Kimberley facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley Western Australia
Location in Western Australia
Established	1887
Area	117,514 km2 (45,372.4 sq mi)
Shire president	David Menzel
Council seat	Kununurra
Region	Kimberley
State electorate(s)	Kimberley
Federal Division(s)	Durack
Website	Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley
LGAs around Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley: Timor Sea Timor Sea Timor Sea Derby-West Kimberley Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley Victoria Daly (NT) Derby-West Kimberley Halls Creek Victoria Daly (NT)

The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley is a local government area in the Kimberley region of northern Western Australia. It is one of four such areas in the Kimberley. This Shire covers a huge area of about 117,514 square kilometers. You can find it in the northeastern corner of Western Australia.

The main office for the Shire used to be in Wyndham. Now, it is in the town of Kununurra. More than half of the Shire's population of around 7,000 people live in Kununurra. There is still a council office in Wyndham.

Many interesting places are located within the Shire. These include El Questro Wilderness Park and Drysdale River National Park. You can also find Lake Argyle, the Argyle diamond mine, and part of the famous Gibb River Road here.

A Look Back: History of the Shire

The area now known as the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley has a long history. It started as the East Kimberley Road District on February 10, 1887. This was a way to manage local roads and services.

Later, on September 4, 1896, its name changed to the Wyndham Road District. Then, on July 1, 1961, a new law called the Local Government Act 1960 came into effect. This law changed all road districts into "shires." So, the Wyndham Road District became the Shire of Wyndham–East Kimberley.

In the early 1960s, the town of Kununurra was built. The Ord River Irrigation Area also started around this time. Kununurra grew quickly and became a bigger town than Wyndham. Because of this, the main office for the local government moved from Wyndham to Kununurra in the 1980s.

Large cattle stations have also been part of the area's history. For example, Argyle Downs was started by Patrick Durack and his brother Michael in 1882.

How the Shire is Run: The Council

The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley is governed by a group of people called councillors. These councillors are elected by the people who live in the Shire.

Who are the Current Councillors?

The Shire has nine (9) councillors. They represent the entire Shire, meaning they are elected to serve everyone.

David Menzel is the current Shire President. Many people have served as president over the years, helping to lead the Shire.

Council Meetings and Offices

The Shire's council meetings happen in both Kununurra and Wyndham. They switch between the two towns. These offices are also where the Shire's daily work is done. You can visit these offices in Kununurra and Wyndham if you need help or information from the Shire.

Changes in the Council (2015–2016)

In 2016, there were some problems with how the council was working. The elected councillors were having trouble working together. Because of these issues, the power of the council was temporarily given to a special person called Commissioner Ron Yuryevich.

This happened because the council members could not agree and work as a team. Eventually, several councillors resigned. This meant there were not enough councillors left to make decisions. So, the Governor of Western Australia decided to remove all the councillors. A Commissioner was put in charge until new elections could be held in October 2017. After the elections, a new council with nine councillors was sworn in.

People Living in the Shire: Population

The number of people living in the Shire changes over time. Here's a look at the population in recent years:

• 1991: 7,718 people
• 1996: 8,761 people
• 2001: 9,779 people
• 2006: 6,596 people
• 2011: 7,799 people
• 2016: 7,494 people
• 2021: 7,477 people

Towns and Communities in the Shire

The Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley has several towns and smaller communities. Here are some of them, along with their populations from the most recent Australian census:

• (* means the place is only partly within this Shire)

Indigenous Communities

The Shire is home to several Indigenous communities, including:

• Dodnun community
• Kalumburu
• Kandiwal community
• Ngallagunda Community
• Pago Community
• Woolah (Doon Doon) Community

Protecting Nature: Parks and Reserves

The Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley has many beautiful protected areas. These places help keep the natural environment safe.

National Parks

• Drysdale River
• Lawley River
• Mirima
• Mitchell River
• Prince Regent

Marine Parks

These parks protect the ocean and its creatures:

• North Lalang-garram Marine Park
• Lalang-garram / Camden Sound Marine Park
• Lalang-garram / Horizontal Falls Marine Park (This park also covers parts of the Shire of Derby West Kimberley)

Nature Reserves & Conservation Parks

These areas protect specific plants, animals, and landscapes:

• Parry Lagoons Nature Reserve
• Pelican Island Nature Reserve
• Point Spring Nature Reserve
• Ord River Nature Reserve
• Barrbem Conservation Park
• Darram Conservation Park
• Goomig Conservation Park
• Jemarnde-wooningim Conservation Park
• Laterite Conservation Park
• Mijing Conservation Park
• Ngamoowalem Conservation Park

People Who Made a Difference: Notable Councillors

Some councillors have been especially important to the Shire. For example, Susan Bradley was a former councillor and Shire president. She received an Order of Australia Medal for her great work and help in the Kimberley community.

Historical Places: Heritage-listed Sites

The Shire of Wyndham–East Kimberley has many places that are important for their history. As of 2023, there are 120 such places. Three of these are so important that they are on the State Register of Heritage Places. This means they are officially recognized and protected for their historical value.