Yarloop, Western Australia
Encyclopedia
Yarloop is a town located in the South West of Western Australia
along the South Western Highway
, between Waroona
and Harvey
. At the 2006 census
, Yarloop had a population of 545.
in origin (most likely from the local Bindjareb
Noongar
people). Yalup Brook is situated only about 5 km north of Yarloop and there is similarity in pronunciation of the word and the early spelling variations of the siding (Yailoup and Yarloup) support it being Aboriginal.
In 1849, Joseph Logue arrived in the area and farmed at nearby Cookernup
. He was followed by W.J. Eastcott, who used to collect red gum
bark and pit-saw timber for other settlers, and John Bancells in 1886.
In 1894, Charles and Edwin Millar moved into the district looking to put nearby stands of jarrah
to use - they had exported jarrah blocks to London for use in street paving. They soon established their own 300 acres (1.2 km²) timber town with accommodation and support facilities, located 2 km south of a government-surveyed town site as the company wished to maintain effective control over staff and workmen. However, not everyone working at the mill wanted to live in the facilities, so a company town on the eastern side of the railway and a public town on the western side developed. A siding
on the Perth-Bunbury Railway came into being in 1896.
In 1901, they made Yarloop the centre of their operations, and the town became even more important when in 1905 they closed their Denmark
mills on the south coast. At their peak, they employed over 500 people in the Yarloop area. By the 1930s, they boasted the largest private railway in the world with eight railway systems and 25 locomotives. The timber mill, originally known as the Waigerup mill, still operates and in 1984 the mill town was classified as a conservation area by the National Trust and is now protected by the Yarloop Conservation Plan (1998) administered by the Heritage Council.
The town was gazetted in 1962.
. The work shops have many operating steam engines along displays of the equipement used to maintain 25 steam locos and the timber production of millers. There is a heritage trail around the old mill town and conservation area. Facilities include primary school, local shops and various types of accommodation.
The biggest issue in the town is emissions from the Alcoa
alumina refinery at nearby Wagerup
which also significantly contributes to the economic viability of the town. For years, some residents have reported illnesses such as respiratory irritation, frequent blood noses, headaches, nausea and cancer, as reported in numerous media outlets with various levels of journalistic integrity, including the ABC's Four Corners program 'Something In The Air', although no formal causal link has ever been established and rates are not significantly deviated from normal population. Alcoa has subsequently obtained permission (September 2006) to double the size of the refinery to become the biggest such refinery in the world, although very strict conditions have been imposed on the expansion by the Health and Environment departments. Residents have already announced plans to fight the decision in the Supreme Court in an attempt to force Alcoa to purchase properties at a significant premium to market price. As a result, the future of the town remains distinctly uncertain.
passenger train from Perth
to Bunbury
.
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
along the South Western Highway
South Western Highway
South Western Highway is a highway in the South West region of Western Australia connecting Perth's southeast with Walpole. It is a part of the National Highway 1 network for most of its length...
, between Waroona
Waroona, Western Australia
Waroona is a town located in the Peel region of Western Australia along the South Western Highway, between Pinjarra and Harvey. The town is the seat of the Shire of Waroona. At the 2006 census, Waroona had a population of 1,864.-History:...
and Harvey
Harvey, Western Australia
Harvey is a town located in the South West of Western Australia along the South Western Highway, 140 km south of Perth, between Pinjarra and Bunbury...
. At the 2006 census
Census in Australia
The Australian census is administered once every five years by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The most recent census was conducted on 9 August 2011; the next will be conducted in 2016. Prior to the introduction of regular censuses in 1961, they had also been run in 1901, 1911, 1921, 1933,...
, Yarloop had a population of 545.
History
The name Yarloop is said to have originated from the words "yard loop"; the rail loop into the timber yard there. However, the name is more likely AboriginalIndigenous Australians
Indigenous Australians are the original inhabitants of the Australian continent and nearby islands. The Aboriginal Indigenous Australians migrated from the Indian continent around 75,000 to 100,000 years ago....
in origin (most likely from the local Bindjareb
Pindjarup
The Binjareb, Pindjarup or Pinjareb is the name of the Indigenous Australian group of Noongar speakers, living in the region of Southwest, Western Australia between Port Kennedy on the coast, between Rockingham and Mandurah to Australind on the Leschenault Inlet, and between a point between Byford...
Noongar
Noongar
The Noongar are an indigenous Australian people who live in the south-west corner of Western Australia from Geraldton on the west coast to Esperance on the south coast...
people). Yalup Brook is situated only about 5 km north of Yarloop and there is similarity in pronunciation of the word and the early spelling variations of the siding (Yailoup and Yarloup) support it being Aboriginal.
In 1849, Joseph Logue arrived in the area and farmed at nearby Cookernup
Cookernup, Western Australia
Cookernup is a town located in the South West of Western Australia just off the South Western Highway, between Waroona and Harvey.-History:In 1835, Stephen Henty and Thomas Peel were the first Europeans to visit the area, being guided through the reaches of the Harvey River by local Aboriginal...
. He was followed by W.J. Eastcott, who used to collect red gum
River Red Gum
The River Red Gum is a tree of the genus Eucalyptus. It is one of around 800 in the genus. It is a plantation species in many parts of the world, but is native to Australia, where it is widespread, especially beside inland water courses...
bark and pit-saw timber for other settlers, and John Bancells in 1886.
In 1894, Charles and Edwin Millar moved into the district looking to put nearby stands of jarrah
Jarrah
Eucalyptus marginata is one of the most common species of Eucalyptus tree in the southwest of Western Australia. The tree and the wood are usually referred to by the Aboriginal name Jarrah...
to use - they had exported jarrah blocks to London for use in street paving. They soon established their own 300 acres (1.2 km²) timber town with accommodation and support facilities, located 2 km south of a government-surveyed town site as the company wished to maintain effective control over staff and workmen. However, not everyone working at the mill wanted to live in the facilities, so a company town on the eastern side of the railway and a public town on the western side developed. A siding
Rail siding
A siding, in rail terminology, is a low-speed track section distinct from a running line or through route such as a main line or branch line or spur. It may connect to through track or to other sidings at either end...
on the Perth-Bunbury Railway came into being in 1896.
In 1901, they made Yarloop the centre of their operations, and the town became even more important when in 1905 they closed their Denmark
Denmark, Western Australia
Denmark is a town in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, south-south-east of the state capital of Perth. At the 2006 census, Denmark had a population of 2,732.-History:...
mills on the south coast. At their peak, they employed over 500 people in the Yarloop area. By the 1930s, they boasted the largest private railway in the world with eight railway systems and 25 locomotives. The timber mill, originally known as the Waigerup mill, still operates and in 1984 the mill town was classified as a conservation area by the National Trust and is now protected by the Yarloop Conservation Plan (1998) administered by the Heritage Council.
The town was gazetted in 1962.
Present day
Yarloop is today home to citrus growers, dairy farmers and millers. The town centre includes many restored timber building along with the historical steam workshopsYarloop Workshops
The Yarloop Workshops are situated in the town of Yarloop Western Australia, where they operated from 1901 to 1978. Originally built by Millers on the site of the first timber mill in the area, the operations expanded to become the support facility for Millers' 26 timber mills and the rail network...
. The work shops have many operating steam engines along displays of the equipement used to maintain 25 steam locos and the timber production of millers. There is a heritage trail around the old mill town and conservation area. Facilities include primary school, local shops and various types of accommodation.
The biggest issue in the town is emissions from the Alcoa
Alcoa
Alcoa Inc. is the world's third largest producer of aluminum, behind Rio Tinto Alcan and Rusal. From its operational headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Alcoa conducts operations in 31 countries...
alumina refinery at nearby Wagerup
Wagerup, Western Australia
Wagerup is a town located in the Peel region of Western Australia just off the South Western Highway, between Waroona and Harvey.-History:...
which also significantly contributes to the economic viability of the town. For years, some residents have reported illnesses such as respiratory irritation, frequent blood noses, headaches, nausea and cancer, as reported in numerous media outlets with various levels of journalistic integrity, including the ABC's Four Corners program 'Something In The Air', although no formal causal link has ever been established and rates are not significantly deviated from normal population. Alcoa has subsequently obtained permission (September 2006) to double the size of the refinery to become the biggest such refinery in the world, although very strict conditions have been imposed on the expansion by the Health and Environment departments. Residents have already announced plans to fight the decision in the Supreme Court in an attempt to force Alcoa to purchase properties at a significant premium to market price. As a result, the future of the town remains distinctly uncertain.
Transport
Yarloop serves as a stop on the AustralindTranswa Australind
The Transwa Australind is a diesel railcar train operated by Transwa that runs between Perth, Western Australia, and the south-west city of Bunbury on the South Western Railway . The Australind fleet consists of three powered railcars ADP101, ADP102 and ADP103, with two non-driving trailers ADQ121...
passenger train from Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
to Bunbury
Bunbury, Western Australia
The port city of Bunbury is the third largest city in Western Australia after the State Capital Perth and Mandurah. It is situated south of Perth's central business district...
.
External links
- Map of Yarloop (Shire of Harvey)