Karratha, Western Australia

Karratha Western Australia
Karratha at dusk
Karratha
Population:	11,728 (2006)[1]
Established:	1960s
Postcode:	6714
Coordinates:	20°44′11″S 116°50′47″E / 20.73649°S 116.84638°E / -20.73649; 116.84638Coordinates: 20°44′11″S 116°50′47″E / 20.73649°S 116.84638°E / -20.73649; 116.84638
Location:	1575 km (979 mi) from Perth
LGA:	Shire of Roebourne
State District:	North West
Federal Division:	Kalgoorlie
Mean Max Temp Mean Min Temp Annual Rainfall 32.3 °C 90 °F 20.7 °C 69 °F 271.7 mm 10.7 in

Karratha is a town adjoining the port of Dampier in the Pilbara region of Western Australia which was developed from the 1960s to accommodate the processing and exportation workforce of the Hamersley Iron mining company and, in the 1980s, the petroleum and liquefied natural gas operations of the North West Shelf Venture. The town's name comes from the cattle station from which land was reclaimed for the development. Karratha in the local Aboriginal language means 'good country' or 'soft earth'.^[2] The town is the seat of government of the Shire of Roebourne.

Location

Karratha is located approximately 1,535 kilometres (954 mi) north of Perth and 850 kilometres (528 mi) south of Broome on the North West Coastal Highway.

Suburbs

Karratha is composed of 9 main suburbs: Bulgarra, Pegs Creek, Millars Well, Nickol, Nickol West, Baynton, Gap Ridge, Multaga, and one industrial suburb, known as both the LIA (Light Industrial Area) and KIE (Karratha Industrial Estate). Karratha's housing development continues, with new villages and suburbs being built. The Tambrey Centre currently has its own residential housing under construction. Nickol has also been expanded, with Nickol West completed in 2008. Baynton West is also being developed, and the expectation is that all the lots will be built and occupied by 2010.

Economy and Employment

Karratha's economic base includes the iron ore operations of the Rio Tinto Group, sea-salt mining, ammonia export operations, North West Shelf Natural Gas Project, Australia's largest natural resource development and the newest Natural Gas Project called Pluto LNG which is situated adjacent the exsiting North West Shelf LNG facility. Karratha came into being in the late 1960s due to the tremendous growth of the iron-ore industry and the need for a new regional centre caused by a shortage of land in Dampier.

Karratha has the largest shopping centre in the Pilbara, Centro Karratha, which has major retailers including Woolworths, Kmart, Coles and Target Country.^[3] It was opened in 1986 as Karratha City and expanded in 2005. The centre also serves the neighbouring towns of Dampier, Wickham and Roebourne. There is also a smaller centre, Karratha Village, which has health services including pharmacy, medical and dental practices.

A New shopping centre has been proposed for the Tambrey area which will include Big W, IGA, Kebab Central, Brumbies Bakery and Certain Specialty stores, it is currently under review by the Shire of Roebourne and looks set to begin construction late 2010.

Facilities

A range of hotel, motel and B&B accommodation is available for visitors. The town has restaurants and two night clubs. New establishments proposed or under construction include 8 story apartment and shopping complex.

Education is provided through four public primary schools and one private primary school, one public and one private high school, a TAFE centre with university facilities, and a library.

As well as its professional medical services, the district is served by the Nickol Bay Hospital which provides a comprehensive array of services, facilities and training.^[4]

Karratha however caters poorly for teenagers, larger companies do very little or nothing to provide entertainment for this age group. After the terrific sporting competition, there is nothing. With some of the largest companies in Australia in Karratha, the provision of entertainment for teenagers from them lacks focus.

Karratha Airport with frequent services to and from Perth, is the second busiest in Western Australia; it has three passenger airlines servicing the town with regular schedules: Qantas, Skywest and Virgin Blue. Qantas also flies twice-weekly Boeing 737-800 services between Brisbane and Karratha—the first direct link between the Pilbara region and Australia's east coast.^[5] The airport also serves as the hub of the Pilbara's light-aircraft and helicopter services^[6] enabling contractors to access destinations offshore and in other parts of the region.

Annual Festivals & Events

FeNaClNG
Each year in August Pilbara Iron, Dampier Salt, Woodside Petroleum Limited (WEL), and other smaller companies sponsor one of the largest festivals in the North West, over two days. The name FeNaClNG Festival is derived from Fe (iron), NaCl (salt) and NG (natural gas).

Christmas Lights
Beginning in December 2009, the town of Karratha is also host to one of Australia's largest Christmas lights competitions, with a total of $6,000 cash prizes (First prize of up to $3,000). The competition is a partnership between the local newspaper Pilbara Echo [1], Woodside Energy, and Horizon Power.

References

External links

• Karratha Tourism
• Map of Karratha