Karratha

Karratha was mapped out as an ‘open’ town in 1968.  Land was excised from Karratha Station Pastoral Lease.  The Town of Karratha was gazetted 08/09/1968 and was developed by the WA Government and Hamersley Iron.  Early development focused on Hamersley Iron facilities, later development was to primarily service development for Woodside’s North West Shelf Project.     Karratha is an Aboriginal word meaning ‘good country’ or ‘soft earth’.  The name was adopted by the original owners of the Karratha pastoral lease.

In under eight years Karratha grew from a few small shops and houses in Bulgarra, the first in a series of residential cells.   The first occupants     moved into their homes on 28 June 1970.   

The second residential cell, Pegs Creek, was begun in 1975, and was followed by Millars Well in 1980, Nickol in 1981 and Baynton in 1987.

In late 1970 the state government suggested that a Commissioner be appointed to carry out the functions of the shire council.  This was mainly because of the planned construction of  Wickham as a ‘closed’ town, and the decision to relocate the Roebourne Shire Council from Roebourne to Karratha.   The seven councilors resigned 19/12/1970 and a Commissioner, Mr WG Klenk, took up his appointment in January 1971.  A Commissioner remained in place until 1976.  During this period the council assumed responsibility for the airport, recreation grounds, swimming centre, health centres and staff housing.  The shire moved into new offices in Karratha in May 1975.

The Roebourne Shire has an area of 15,448 square kilometres and covers the towns of Karratha, Dampier, Wickham, Roebourne and Point Samson.