Koorda, Western Australia

Koorda Western Australia
Koorda
Coordinates
Population	260 (2006 census)
Established	1910s
Postcode(s)	6475
Elevation	307 m (1,007 ft)
Location	236 km (147 mi) NE of Perth 43 km (27 mi) N of Wyalkatchem 36 km (22 mi) W of Bencubbin
LGA(s)	Shire of Koorda
State electorate(s)	Central Wheatbelt
Federal Division(s)	Durack

Koorda is a town in the North Eastern Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, approximately 236 kilometres (147 mi) east of Perth and 43 kilometres (27 mi) north of Wyalkatchem at the northeastern end of the Cowcowing Lakes. It is the main town in the Shire of Koorda. At the 2006 census, Koorda had a population of 260.

The surrounding areas produce wheat and other cereal crops. The town is a receival site for Cooperative Bulk Handling.

History

In 1913 the government decided to construct a railway from Wyalkatchem to Mount Marshall (southeast of Bencubbin), and the Central Cowcowing Progress Association requested that land be set aside for a townsite at the proposed siding in this area. In 1914 the Jirimbi and Mulji Progress Association again requested a townsite here, and also in 1914 the proposed siding here was named Koorda at the suggestion of J Hope, the Chief Draftsman in the Lands Department. Hope took the name from a list of words obtained from a Noongar Aboriginal in the Margaret River area, the meaning being given as a "married person". Problems regarding resumption of land for the townsite and the exact siting of the siding meant that the townsite was not gazetted until 1917.

In 1932 the Wheat Pool of Western Australia announced that the town would have two grain elevators, each fitted with an engine, installed at the railway siding.

Politics

Polling place statistics are shown below showing the votes from Koorda in the federal and state elections as indicated.

2004 Federal Election Source: AEC   Liberal 52.2%   The Nationals 22.3%   Labor 15.2%   One Nation 2.68%   Greens 2.68%	2001 Federal Election Source: AEC   Liberal 59.0%   One Nation 14.1%   The Nationals 11.8%   Labor 10.8%   Independent 1.64%	1998 Federal Election Source: AEC   Liberal 49.8%   One Nation 15.6%   The Nationals 14.0%   Labor 10.6%   Australia First 5.91%
2005 State Election Source: WAEC   The Nationals 54.1%   Liberal 25.3%   Labor 11.1%   One Nation 4.29%   Greens 2.15%	2001 State Election Source: WAEC   The Nationals 52.5%   One Nation 28.2%   Labor 12.3%   Independent 2.54%   Greens 2.17%	1996 State Election Source: WAEC   The Nationals 81.1%   Labor 18.9%