Wakefield Regional Council

The Wakefield Regional Council is a local government administrative body in South Australia.

History

The Wakefield Regional Council covers a geographical area of 3,435 square kilometres, with the following townships located in the area: Avon, Balaklava, Blyth, Bowmans, Brinkworth, Halbury, Hamley Bridge, Hoyleton, Kybunga, Lakeview, Lochiel, Owen, Pinery, Port Wakefield, Snowtown and Whitwarta.

The body came into being on the 1st July 1997, as a result of the amalgamation of the former District Council of Blyth-Snowtown and the former District Council of Wakefield Plains. It has a population of 6,747 (estimated as at 30 June 1998 by the Australian Bureau of Statistics)

The amalgamation occurred at a period of time when much of the boundary reform of the local government was coming from the State Government as a result of various provisions contained in the "Local Government Act 1934".

As a result, the number of local councils in South Australia was reduced from 118 to 68 by the deadline of the 30th June 1999. The extent of this reform was in-line with the Australian Federal Government's overall broader micro-economic reform plans.

The area falling under Wakefield Regional Council (WRC) has been much affected by local government boundary changes that have taken place since the early 1980's. Before 1983 the area consisted of five local government district councils which have now all been subsumed into the WRC.

The Council's development plans are set out in the attached Green Paper.

Transport

The regional area is well served by a developed transport and communication networks. The main roads, which include the Stuart Highway are all sealed and there are well maintained minor gravel roads.
There is no rail service for freight or passengers on the Peninsula, however Wakefield Regional Council is traversed by the national Sydney - Perth line as well as by the state rail network.

Demographics

Data accurate to 2003

• Geographical area

• Population

• Road length

• Assessed value

The Council has recorded a net decrease in its population of 4.2% between 1991-2001 - about 27 people per annum. Anecdotal evidence suggest that this trend will continue due a decline in employment opportunities.

The median age of the population (in 2001) is 39, an increase of of 5 years since 1991 - something reflected in the percentage of people aged greater than 45, at 41.8% of the population. It is felt that a shift to an ageing community will in due course put pressure on suitable accommodation for this age group.

Council contacts

Wakefield Regional Council, Scotland Place, Balaklava SA 5461
Telephone: 08 8862 0800 / 1300 762 500

Fax: 08 8862 1115

Email: admin@wakefieldrc.sa.gov.au

External links

• Council website
• Map of Council Jurisdiction
• Council Bye Laws and policies