Gannawarra Shire
Encyclopedia
The Shire of Gannawarra is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia. It is located in the north-western part of the state. The main towns are Cohuna
, Kerang
and Quambatook
. It has an area of 3,728 square kilometres. In 2006 it had a population of 11,296. The Shire was formed in 1995 from the merger of the Borough of Kerang
and most parts of the Shire of Kerang
and Shire of Cohuna
.
The northeastern border of the shire is the Murray River
. The Loddon River
flows through the shire, feeding into the Murray. The Gunbower State Forest is a significant source of River Red Gum
timber, supplying a historic sawmill in Koondrook. Gunbower Island is the largest inland island in the world. It is between the Murray River and the Gunbower Creek, an anabranch
of the Murray.
The western part of the shire is predominantly used for cereal grain production. The north and east have significant dairying and milk processing.
Tourists are attracted to the rivers (for fishing) and also the lakes (for bird watching and water sports).
Wandella and Yarran wards are represented by two elected Councillors, the others by one elected Councillor.
Cohuna, Victoria
Cohuna is a town situated north of Melbourne, on the Murray Valley Highway, in northern Victoria, Australia. At the 2006 census, Cohuna had a population of 1,893.-History:...
, Kerang
Kerang, Victoria
Kerang is a rural town on the Loddon River in northern Victoria in Australia. It is the commercial centre to an irrigation district based on livestock, horticulture, lucerne and grain. It is located north-west of Melbourne on the Murray Valley Highway a few kilometres north of its intersection...
and Quambatook
Quambatook, Victoria
Quambatook is a town in northern Victoria, Australia. The town is located on the Avoca River in the Shire of Gannawarra Local Government Area, from the state capital, Melbourne. At the 2006 census, Quambatook had a population of 253....
. It has an area of 3,728 square kilometres. In 2006 it had a population of 11,296. The Shire was formed in 1995 from the merger of the Borough of Kerang
Borough of Kerang
The Borough of Kerang was a Local Government Area located in northwestern Victoria, Australia. The borough, for most of its history part of the surrounding Shire of Kerang, covered an area of , and existed from 1966 until 1995.-History:...
and most parts of the Shire of Kerang
Shire of Kerang
The Shire of Kerang was a Local Government Area located in northwestern Victoria, Australia, along the Murray River. The shire covered an area of , and existed from 1862 until 1995. From 1966 onwards Kerang itself was managed by a separate entity, the Borough of Kerang...
and Shire of Cohuna
Shire of Cohuna
The Shire of Cohuna was a Local Government Area located on the Murray River about north-northwest of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed from 1922 until 1994.-History:...
.
The northeastern border of the shire is the Murray River
Murray River
The Murray River is Australia's longest river. At in length, the Murray rises in the Australian Alps, draining the western side of Australia's highest mountains and, for most of its length, meanders across Australia's inland plains, forming the border between New South Wales and Victoria as it...
. The Loddon River
Loddon River
The Loddon River is a 392-km long tributary of the Murray River that flows through central and northern Victoria, Australia. The river rises near Trentham and flows by Glenlyon. It then flows generally northward through Guildford and Newstead, 40 km west of Bendigo through the Cairn Curran...
flows through the shire, feeding into the Murray. The Gunbower State Forest is a significant source of River 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...
timber, supplying a historic sawmill in Koondrook. Gunbower Island is the largest inland island in the world. It is between the Murray River and the Gunbower Creek, an anabranch
Anabranch
An anabranch is a section of a river or stream that diverts from the main channel or stem of the watercourse and rejoins the main stem downstream. Local anabranches can be the result of small islands in the watercourse...
of the Murray.
The western part of the shire is predominantly used for cereal grain production. The north and east have significant dairying and milk processing.
Tourists are attracted to the rivers (for fishing) and also the lakes (for bird watching and water sports).
Wards
- Avoca
- Bannagher
- Murray
- Wandella
- Yarran
Wandella and Yarran wards are represented by two elected Councillors, the others by one elected Councillor.