Traditional Owners

The original inhabitants of the District Council of Grant were the Booandik Aboriginal people.

Settlement history

European settlement dates from the 1840s, with land used mainly for sheep grazing. Population was minimal until the 1860s when Port MacDonnell developed as a port, shipping wool and wheat. Growth took place during the 1860s and 1870s, with agriculture being an important industry. The population declined during the late 1800s, largely due to the port not being connected to the south-east railway network. From the early 1900s some boat sheds and shacks were built in the coastal areas. From the 1930s timber milling became an important industry in the north, around Tarpeena. Significant development occurred during the post-war years. The population was relatively stable between 1991 and 2011, between 7,400 and 7,600 people.

Land use

The District Council of Grant is predominantly rural, with small townships at Port MacDonnell and Tarpeena, and various small coastal holiday communities. The Council area encompasses a total land area of about 1,900 square kilometres. Land is used largely for agriculture, particularly dairy, beef and sheep farming, and seed and grain growing, with some horticulture. Forestry and tourism are also important industries, with the rock lobster industry being significant at Port MacDonnell.

Transport

The District Council of Grant is served by the Princes Highway.

Major features

• Major features of the District Council include Canunda National Park,
• Carpenter Rocks Conservation Park,
• Dingley Dell Conservation Park,
• Douglas Point Conservation Park,
• Ewens Ponds Conservation Park,
• Finger Point Conservation Park,
• Lower Glenelg River Conservation Park,
• Nene Valley Conservation Park,
• Penambol Conservation Park,
• Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park,
• Telford Scrub Conservation Park,
• Lower South East Marine Park,
• Bucks Lake Game Reserve,
• Piccaninnie Ponds Karst Wetlands,
• Lake Bonney,
• Mount Schank,
• Cape Northumberland Heritage and Nature Park,
• Woolwash Interpretive Centre,
• Port MacDonnell & District Maritime Museum,
• Penguin Viewing Platform,
• Port MacDonnell Golf Club,
• Mount Gambier Airport,
• Tarpeena Mill,
• Bay Wave Sculpture,
• Clarke Park Picnic Reserve,
• Germein Reserve,
• Lions Park Reserve,
• Tenterden Reserve,
• Volunteer Park,
• and various beaches,
• rock pools and pontoons.

Included areas