Wickham, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids WickhamWestern Australia |
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Wickham townsite
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 Wickham
Location in Western Australia
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| Population | 2,295 (2016 census) | ||||||||
| Established | 1970 | ||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 6720 | ||||||||
| Location | 33 km (21 mi) from Karratha | ||||||||
| LGA(s) | City of Karratha | ||||||||
| State electorate(s) | North West | ||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Durack | ||||||||
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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.
History
The town's first permanent buildings were begun in 1970 by Cliffs Robe River to support its iron-ore mine at Pannawonica, processing at Cape Lambert and shiploading at Port Walcott. The majority of the residences and facilities in town are owned by Rio Tinto. Wickham was originally a closed company town but was transferred to administration by the Shire of Roebourne in 1980, after which a scheme for public housing was implemented. Wickham now has an estimated population of 1,800 people.
It has a close nexus with Cossack, Roebourne and Karratha. 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. Robe’s aim was to create a processing plant for the iron ore mined at nearby Pannawonica, a port (at Cape Lambert) from which to ship the produce, and a town to house the associated employees.
Port
Just out of Wickham, the Cape Lambert Iron Ore ship loading facility boasts one of the longest and tallest jetties in Australia. View the massive 170 tonne haul truck at Robe's Visitor Centre. At sunset visit Wickham's Tank Hill lookout for sweeping views, or walk the secluded pristine sandy beaches around Port Walcott, home of the local yacht club.
Airstrip
The local Wickham Airstrip has closed down due to the expansion works of Cape Lambert (Rio Tinto) which has seen the Wickham Skydivers Club relocate to Roebourne for its operations. The club still occupies the "Ranch" adjacent the old airstrip which is where its club house and hangar are still located. The Club was awarded $48,750 in 2007 to construct a cyclone proof hangar to protect the light aircraft in event of a cyclone and provide a suitable area to store equipment and operate from.
