Pannawonica, Western Australia: Difference between revisions
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{{Use dmy dates|date=August |
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}} |
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{{Use Australian English|date=August 2012}} |
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2012}} |
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{{Infobox Australian place |
{{Infobox Australian place |
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| name = Pannawonica |
| name = Pannawonica |
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| state = wa |
| state = wa |
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| image = |
| image = Pannawonica Welcome Sign.jpg |
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| caption = |
| caption = |
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| lga = Shire of Ashburton |
| lga = Shire of Ashburton |
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| local_map = yes |
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| zoom = 11 |
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| coordinates = {{coord|21|38|00|S|116|20|00|E|display=inline,title}} |
| coordinates = {{coord|21|38|00|S|116|20|00|E|display=inline,title}} |
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| postcode = 6716 |
| postcode = 6716 |
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| est = 1970 |
| est = 1970 |
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| pop = <!--leave blank to draw the latest automatically from Wikidata--> |
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| pop = 695 |
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| |
| area = {{cvt |input=P2046}} |
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| pop_footnotes = |
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| elevation= 200 |
| elevation= 200 |
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| maxtemp = 34.6 |
| maxtemp = 34.6 |
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| mintemp = 19. |
| mintemp = 19.5 |
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| rainfall = |
| rainfall = 407.2 |
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| stategov = [[Electoral district of North West Central|North West Central]] |
| stategov = [[Electoral district of North West Central|North West Central]] |
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| fedgov = [[Division of Durack|Durack]] |
| fedgov = [[Division of Durack|Durack]] |
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| Line 27: | Line 28: | ||
| location2= [[Karratha, Western Australia|Karratha]] |
| location2= [[Karratha, Western Australia|Karratha]] |
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}} |
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'''Pannawonica''' is an iron-ore mining town located in the [[Pilbara]] region of [[Western Australia]], near the Robe River, about {{convert|200|km|abbr=on}} south-west from [[Karratha]] and {{convert|1429|km|abbr=on}} North from Perth. At the [[2016 Australian census|2016 census]], Pannawonica had a population of 695.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2016/quickstat/SSC51188|title=2016 Census QuickStats: Pannawonica|website=censusdata.abs.gov.au|language=en|access-date=2018-05-17}}</ref> |
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In 2011 and again in 2016, it reportedly had the highest median weekly income of any town in Western Australia and most likely Australia, due to the high income of its mine workers.<ref>Salt B ''[http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,28124,24712211-14741,00.html Richest and poorest live in outback towns]'' The Australian Business, 27 November 2008</ref> |
In 2011 and again in 2016, it reportedly had the highest median weekly income of any town in Western Australia and most likely Australia, due to the high income of its mine workers.<ref>Salt B ''[http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,28124,24712211-14741,00.html Richest and poorest live in outback towns]'' The Australian Business, 27 November 2008</ref> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Pannawonica was built on Yalleen Station in 1970 by [[Cliffs Natural Resources|Cleveland-Cliffs]] Robe River Iron (it then became Robe River Iron Associates and was then bought out by Rio Tinto Iron Ore) it was gazetted as a townsite in 1972. |
Pannawonica was built on Yalleen Station in 1970 by [[Cliffs Natural Resources|Cleveland-Cliffs]] Robe River Iron (it then became Robe River Iron Associates and was then bought out by Rio Tinto Iron Ore) it was gazetted as a townsite in 1972. |
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The |
The township's name was derived from nearby Pannawonica Hill, named by a surveyor in 1885 after the corresponding Aboriginal place name which is said to mean "the hill that came from the sea". The traditional legend is that two local Aboriginal tribes were arguing over the ownership of the hill which was located by the sea. The sea spirit decided to resolve the dispute by moving the hill inland. As the hill was dragged over the land it left a deep indentation which became the [[Robe River (Australia)|Robe River]]. |
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Pannawonica is one of a number of remote-area iron-ore-mining towns built throughout the Pilbara to house workers operating open-cut mines and the loading of ore trains. It is a 'closed town', having limited facilities for visitors, the company's accommodation being reserved for its staff and visiting contractors. Some visitor accommodation is available at the Pannawonica Tavern. |
Pannawonica is one of a number of remote-area iron-ore-mining towns built throughout the Pilbara to house workers operating open-cut mines and the loading of ore trains. It is a 'closed town', having limited facilities for visitors, the company's accommodation being reserved for its staff and visiting contractors. Some visitor accommodation is available at the Pannawonica Tavern. |
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Pannawonica is home to more than 1000 people: Rio Tinto Iron Ore employee families, staff on [[fly-in fly-out]] ( |
Pannawonica is home to more than 1000 people: Rio Tinto Iron Ore employee families, staff on [[fly-in fly-out]] ('fifo') roster from Perth, and those involved in support services (49% residential, 51% FIFO). It is accessible by road, rail and light aircraft. |
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==Climate== |
==Climate== |
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Pannawonica has a [[hot desert climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''BWh''), bordering on [[hot semi-arid climate]] (Köppen ''BSh''). In summer, the days are very hot and the nights are warm. On average, there are 66.8 days per year where the temperature reaches {{convert|40|C}}. The record maximum temperature is {{convert|48.4|C}} on 20 January 2003. Precipitation is highly variable. The wet season lasts from December to March, in which storms and [[tropical cyclone]]s cause rainfall. In winter, the days are warm and the nights are mild. The record minimum temperature is {{convert|5.5|C}} on 5 June 1973.<ref name="BoM" /> |
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Pannawonica’s weather is recorded by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology station number 005069, which was opened in 1971. Between 1971 and 2005, the mean maximum temperature at Pannawonica ranged from 26.7 °C in July to 40.9 °C in January. Pannawonica experiences a wet season that can stretch from December to March, and cyclonic storm events. |
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The [[Bureau of Meteorology]]'s Pannawonica weather station opened in 1971. All recordings except rainfall closed in 2005. Rainfall is still being recorded as of 2020.<ref name="BoM" /> |
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{{Weather box |
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|location = Pannawonica |
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|metric first = Yes |
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|single line = Yes |
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|Jan record high C = 48.4 |
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|Feb record high C = 48.2 |
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|Mar record high C = 46.4 |
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|Apr record high C = 42.6 |
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|May record high C = 39.7 |
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|Jun record high C = 33.5 |
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|Jul record high C = 33.4 |
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|Aug record high C = 36.1 |
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|Sep record high C = 40.7 |
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|Oct record high C = 46.0 |
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|Nov record high C = 46.1 |
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|Dec record high C = 47.4 |
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|Jan high C = 41.0 |
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|Feb high C = 39.7 |
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|Mar high C = 38.5 |
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|Apr high C = 35.8 |
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|May high C = 30.6 |
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|Jun high C = 27.0 |
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|Jul high C = 26.7 |
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|Aug high C = 28.8 |
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|Sep high C = 32.4 |
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|Oct high C = 36.1 |
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|Nov high C = 38.5 |
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|Dec high C = 40.5 |
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|year high C = 34.6 |
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|Jan low C = 25.2 |
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|Feb low C = 25.2 |
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|Mar low C = 24.4 |
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|Apr low C = 21.8 |
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|May low C = 17.2 |
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|Jun low C = 14.0 |
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|Jul low C = 12.6 |
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|Aug low C = 13.7 |
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|Sep low C = 15.9 |
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|Oct low C = 19.0 |
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|Nov low C = 21.5 |
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|Dec low C = 24.0 |
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|year low C = 19.5 |
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|Jan record low C = 16.2 |
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|Feb record low C = 15.0 |
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|Mar record low C = 15.0 |
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|Apr record low C = 10.0 |
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|May record low C = 7.7 |
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|Jun record low C = 5.5 |
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|Jul record low C = 5.6 |
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|Aug record low C = 6.5 |
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|Sep record low C = 8.0 |
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|Oct record low C = 9.0 |
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|Nov record low C = 14.5 |
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|Dec record low C = 15.6 |
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|rain colour = green |
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|Jan rain mm = 81.4 |
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|Feb rain mm = 103.7 |
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|Mar rain mm = 72.9 |
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|Apr rain mm = 19.1 |
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|May rain mm = 26.7 |
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|Jun rain mm = 34.7 |
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|Jul rain mm = 15.0 |
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|Aug rain mm = 7.0 |
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|Sep rain mm = 1.3 |
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|Oct rain mm = 1.8 |
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|Nov rain mm = 6.9 |
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|Dec rain mm = 30.0 |
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|year rain mm = 407.2 |
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|Jan precipitation days = 7.9 |
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|Feb precipitation days = 9.0 |
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|Mar precipitation days = 6.9 |
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|Apr precipitation days = 2.7 |
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|May precipitation days = 3.1 |
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|Jun precipitation days = 3.5 |
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|Jul precipitation days = 2.6 |
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|Aug precipitation days = 1.5 |
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|Sep precipitation days = 0.5 |
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|Oct precipitation days = 0.5 |
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|Nov precipitation days = 1.0 |
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|Dec precipitation days = 3.9 |
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|year precipitation days = 43.1 |
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|humidity colour = green |
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|time day = 15:00 |
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|Jan afthumidity = 26 |
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|Feb afthumidity = 33 |
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|Mar afthumidity = 28 |
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|Apr afthumidity = 26 |
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|May afthumidity = 31 |
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|Jun afthumidity = 33 |
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|Jul afthumidity = 27 |
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|Aug afthumidity = 22 |
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|Sep afthumidity = 19 |
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|Oct afthumidity = 16 |
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|Nov afthumidity = 17 |
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|Dec afthumidity = 21 |
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|year humidity = 25 |
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|source = [[Bureau of Meteorology]]<ref name="BoM">{{cite web |title=Climate statistics for Australian locations |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_005069_All.shtml |website=Bureau of Meteorology |access-date=30 December 2020}}</ref><br/>Temperatures: 1971–2005; Rain data: 1971–2020; Relative humidity: 1971–2005 |
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|date = December 2020 |
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}} |
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==Resident facilities== |
==Resident facilities== |
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The |
The town's facilities include a post office, supermarket, milk-bar, pub, a public swimming pool, sports fields, police station, petrol station, primary school, tavern bistro, gym and a free drive-in cinema with takeaway facility, free movies show on Friday and Sunday nights. Police officers based at Pannawonica supervise an area of approximately 33,800 square kilometres. |
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The annual Pannawonica Robe River Rodeo, in September, attracts an average of 1500 people from all over Australia. Funds raised are distributed to many organisations including the Royal Flying Doctor Service, local school and other volunteer-based groups. |
The annual Pannawonica Robe River Rodeo, in September, attracts an average of 1500 people from all over Australia. Funds raised are distributed to many organisations including the Royal Flying Doctor Service, local school and other volunteer-based groups. |
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An annual Gala weekend held around August boasts a Gala Ball evening to raise funds for a Family Fun Day with children's rides and local stallholders showcase their wares. |
An annual Gala weekend held around August boasts a Gala Ball evening to raise funds for a Family Fun Day with children's rides and local stallholders showcase their wares. |
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[[File:PannaHill.JPG|thumb|Pannawonica Hill]] |
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==Mining and loading== |
==Mining and loading== |
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The Pannawonica residents work at the nearby [[Mesa J mine|Mesa J]] opened in 1992, [[Mesa A mine]]s opened in 2010 and Warramboo still in development. Mesa is a Spanish word that means |
The Pannawonica residents work at the nearby [[Mesa J mine|Mesa J]] opened in 1992, [[Mesa A mine]]s opened in 2010 and Warramboo still in development. Mesa is a Spanish word that means 'table', which describes the appearance of the flat-topped iron-ore plateaus standing high above the surrounding ground, remnants of terrain carved by an ancient river system. |
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The Robe Valley operation produces two [[pisolite]] (spheroidal crystalline) iron-ore products called Robe River Fines and Robe River Lump. The blasted high-grade ore is hauled directly to a train load-out. The sub-grade ore is washed and screened prior to loading onto trains that can stretch for three kilometres. Rio Tinto Iron Ore - Robe Valley transports about 32 million tonnes of iron ore per year via the |
The Robe Valley operation produces two [[pisolite]] (spheroidal crystalline) iron-ore products called Robe River Fines and Robe River Lump. The blasted high-grade ore is hauled directly to a train load-out. The sub-grade ore is washed and screened prior to loading onto trains that can stretch for three kilometres. Rio Tinto Iron Ore - Robe Valley transports about 32 million tonnes of iron ore per year via the company's private 200-kilometre-long rail line to its processing and port facilities at [[Cape Lambert]], near the township of [[Wickham, Western Australia|Wickham]]. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070610152002/http://www.roberiver.com/ Robe River Iron] |
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*[https://web.archive.org/web/20071029215220/http://www.pilbarairon.com/ Pilbara Iron] |
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*[http://www.riotinto.com Rio Tinto] |
*[http://www.riotinto.com Rio Tinto] |
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*{{LandInfo WA|c|P|2008-08-04}} |
*{{LandInfo WA|c|P|2008-08-04}} |
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{{Towns in the Shire of Ashburton}} |
{{Towns in the Shire of Ashburton}} |
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{{Towns Pilbara WA}} |
{{Towns Pilbara WA}} |
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{{authority control}} |
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[[Category:Mining towns in Western Australia]] |
[[Category:Mining towns in Western Australia]] |
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Latest revision as of 04:59, 9 June 2023
| Pannawonica Western Australia | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | |||||||||
  Pannawonica | |||||||||
 | |||||||||
| Coordinates | 21°38′00″S 116°20′00″E / 21.63333°S 116.33333°E | ||||||||
| Population | 685 (SAL 2021)[1][2] | ||||||||
| Established | 1970 | ||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 6716 | ||||||||
| Elevation | 200 m (656 ft) | ||||||||
| Area | 27.6 km2 (10.7 sq mi) | ||||||||
| Location | |||||||||
| LGA(s) | Shire of Ashburton | ||||||||
| State electorate(s) | North West Central | ||||||||
| Federal division(s) | Durack | ||||||||
| |||||||||
Pannawonica is an iron-ore mining town located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, near the Robe River, about 200 km (120 mi) south-west from Karratha and 1,429 km (888 mi) North from Perth. At the 2016 census, Pannawonica had a population of 695.[3]
In 2011 and again in 2016, it reportedly had the highest median weekly income of any town in Western Australia and most likely Australia, due to the high income of its mine workers.[4]
History
[edit]Pannawonica was built on Yalleen Station in 1970 by Cleveland-Cliffs Robe River Iron (it then became Robe River Iron Associates and was then bought out by Rio Tinto Iron Ore) it was gazetted as a townsite in 1972.
The township's name was derived from nearby Pannawonica Hill, named by a surveyor in 1885 after the corresponding Aboriginal place name which is said to mean "the hill that came from the sea". The traditional legend is that two local Aboriginal tribes were arguing over the ownership of the hill which was located by the sea. The sea spirit decided to resolve the dispute by moving the hill inland. As the hill was dragged over the land it left a deep indentation which became the Robe River.
Pannawonica is one of a number of remote-area iron-ore-mining towns built throughout the Pilbara to house workers operating open-cut mines and the loading of ore trains. It is a 'closed town', having limited facilities for visitors, the company's accommodation being reserved for its staff and visiting contractors. Some visitor accommodation is available at the Pannawonica Tavern.
Pannawonica is home to more than 1000 people: Rio Tinto Iron Ore employee families, staff on fly-in fly-out ('fifo') roster from Perth, and those involved in support services (49% residential, 51% FIFO). It is accessible by road, rail and light aircraft.
Climate
[edit]Pannawonica has a hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification BWh), bordering on hot semi-arid climate (Köppen BSh). In summer, the days are very hot and the nights are warm. On average, there are 66.8 days per year where the temperature reaches 40 °C (104 °F). The record maximum temperature is 48.4 °C (119.1 °F) on 20 January 2003. Precipitation is highly variable. The wet season lasts from December to March, in which storms and tropical cyclones cause rainfall. In winter, the days are warm and the nights are mild. The record minimum temperature is 5.5 °C (41.9 °F) on 5 June 1973.[5]
The Bureau of Meteorology's Pannawonica weather station opened in 1971. All recordings except rainfall closed in 2005. Rainfall is still being recorded as of 2020.[5]
| Climate data for Pannawonica | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 48.4 (119.1) |
48.2 (118.8) |
46.4 (115.5) |
42.6 (108.7) |
39.7 (103.5) |
33.5 (92.3) |
33.4 (92.1) |
36.1 (97.0) |
40.7 (105.3) |
46.0 (114.8) |
46.1 (115.0) |
47.4 (117.3) |
48.4 (119.1) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 41.0 (105.8) |
39.7 (103.5) |
38.5 (101.3) |
35.8 (96.4) |
30.6 (87.1) |
27.0 (80.6) |
26.7 (80.1) |
28.8 (83.8) |
32.4 (90.3) |
36.1 (97.0) |
38.5 (101.3) |
40.5 (104.9) |
34.6 (94.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 25.2 (77.4) |
25.2 (77.4) |
24.4 (75.9) |
21.8 (71.2) |
17.2 (63.0) |
14.0 (57.2) |
12.6 (54.7) |
13.7 (56.7) |
15.9 (60.6) |
19.0 (66.2) |
21.5 (70.7) |
24.0 (75.2) |
19.5 (67.1) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 16.2 (61.2) |
15.0 (59.0) |
15.0 (59.0) |
10.0 (50.0) |
7.7 (45.9) |
5.5 (41.9) |
5.6 (42.1) |
6.5 (43.7) |
8.0 (46.4) |
9.0 (48.2) |
14.5 (58.1) |
15.6 (60.1) |
5.5 (41.9) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 81.4 (3.20) |
103.7 (4.08) |
72.9 (2.87) |
19.1 (0.75) |
26.7 (1.05) |
34.7 (1.37) |
15.0 (0.59) |
7.0 (0.28) |
1.3 (0.05) |
1.8 (0.07) |
6.9 (0.27) |
30.0 (1.18) |
407.2 (16.03) |
| Average precipitation days | 7.9 | 9.0 | 6.9 | 2.7 | 3.1 | 3.5 | 2.6 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 3.9 | 43.1 |
| Average afternoon relative humidity (%) (at 15:00) | 26 | 33 | 28 | 26 | 31 | 33 | 27 | 22 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 21 | 25 |
| Source: Bureau of Meteorology[5] Temperatures: 1971–2005; Rain data: 1971–2020; Relative humidity: 1971–2005 | |||||||||||||
Resident facilities
[edit]The town's facilities include a post office, supermarket, milk-bar, pub, a public swimming pool, sports fields, police station, petrol station, primary school, tavern bistro, gym and a free drive-in cinema with takeaway facility, free movies show on Friday and Sunday nights. Police officers based at Pannawonica supervise an area of approximately 33,800 square kilometres.
The annual Pannawonica Robe River Rodeo, in September, attracts an average of 1500 people from all over Australia. Funds raised are distributed to many organisations including the Royal Flying Doctor Service, local school and other volunteer-based groups.
An annual Gala weekend held around August boasts a Gala Ball evening to raise funds for a Family Fun Day with children's rides and local stallholders showcase their wares.
Mining and loading
[edit]The Pannawonica residents work at the nearby Mesa J opened in 1992, Mesa A mines opened in 2010 and Warramboo still in development. Mesa is a Spanish word that means 'table', which describes the appearance of the flat-topped iron-ore plateaus standing high above the surrounding ground, remnants of terrain carved by an ancient river system.
The Robe Valley operation produces two pisolite (spheroidal crystalline) iron-ore products called Robe River Fines and Robe River Lump. The blasted high-grade ore is hauled directly to a train load-out. The sub-grade ore is washed and screened prior to loading onto trains that can stretch for three kilometres. Rio Tinto Iron Ore - Robe Valley transports about 32 million tonnes of iron ore per year via the company's private 200-kilometre-long rail line to its processing and port facilities at Cape Lambert, near the township of Wickham.
References
[edit]- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Pannawonica (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Pannawonica (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021.
- ^ "2016 Census QuickStats: Pannawonica". censusdata.abs.gov.au. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
- ^ Salt B Richest and poorest live in outback towns The Australian Business, 27 November 2008
- ^ a b c "Climate statistics for Australian locations". Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
External links
[edit]"History of country town names – P". Western Australian Land Information Authority. Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2008.