State electorate(s) Central Wheatbelt Shire of Westonia Yilgarn Founded 1916 Council seat Westonia Mayor Louis Geier | Website Shire of Westonia Area 3,304 km² Population 237 (2001) Region Wheatbelt Federal division Division of Kalgoorlie | |
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The Shire of Westonia is a local government area in the Eastern Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, about 310 kilometres (193 mi) east of Perth, the state capital. Its seat of government is the small town of Westonia.
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Although the Shire of Westonia is located in the Wheatbelt region, it is at the eastern limit of land suitable for wheat growing. The most important industries of Westonia today are wheat and sheep, but historically it was a gold mining area.
History
In 1916, the Westonia Road District was created on land previously within Merredin Road District. On 1 July 1961, it became the Shire of Westonia under the Local Government Act 1960.
Wards
The Shire initially had a ward system with two elected members representing the north, south, west and town wards (for a total of eight members). However, following the 2009 local government elections the Shire of Westonia's ward system was abolished and the number of elected members was dropped to six.