Greenbushes, Western Australia
| Greenbushes Western Australia | |
|---|---|
 Blackwood Road in Greenbushes, in the 1920s | |
  Greenbushes | |
| Coordinates | 33°51′S 116°04′E / 33.85°S 116.06°ECoordinates: 33°51′S 116°04′E / 33.85°S 116.06°E |
| Population | 342 (2006 census)[1] |
| Established | 1889 |
| Postcode(s) | 6254 |
| Location | 250 km (155 mi) S of Perth |
| LGA(s) | Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes |
| State electorate(s) | Blackwood-Stirling |
| Federal Division(s) | O'Connor |
Greenbushes is a timber and mining town located in the South West region of Western Australia.
History
Greenbushes was founded as a mining town in 1888 following a surveyor's discovery of tin in 1886.[2] Greenbushes was named after the bright green bushes that contrasted against the grey eucalyptus trees.[3] The railway from Donnybrook to Bridgetown opened in 1898, with Greenbushes station located approximately six kilometres north of the main townsite.[3] The area surrounding the train station was renamed North Greenbushes to reduce confusion.[3]
The town experienced a period of economic boom until the international price of tin slumped in 1893, which caused the Greenbushes industry to collapse.[2] By 1913, approximately one quarter of Greenbushes' inhabitants were working in the timber industry, which was established shortly after the first mine.[2]
Industry
Greenbushes' two major industries are mining, producing tantalite concentrates, lithium minerals, tin metal and kaolin; and timber milling.[4] Agriculture, viticulture, tourism and art galleries are also part of Greenbushes' industry.[4]
The Greenbushes mine, located to the south of the town, has produced lithium concentrate since 1985.[5]
References
- ↑ Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Greenbushes (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
- 1 2 3 "Travel: Greenbushes". The Sydney Morning Herald. 8 February 2004. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
- 1 2 3 Western Australian Land Information Authority. "History of country town names – G". Retrieved 2008-01-15.
- 1 2 "Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes: Business and Industry". Retrieved 2008-01-15.
- ↑ "Greenbushes Lithium Operations".