Traditional Owners

The original inhabitants of the District Council of Loxton Waikerie area were the Ngawait Aboriginal people.

Settlement history

European settlement of the area dates from the mid 1800s, although population was minimal until the 1880s. Growth took place during the late 1800s when several small townships were established, with land used mainly for sheep grazing and wheat growing. Expansion continued during the early 1900s, aided by the opening of the railway line in 1914. Significant development occurred in the post-war years, spurred by the War Service Land Settlement Scheme in Loxton and Waikerie and irrigation schemes which enabled citrus and grape growing to be established. The population increased from about 8,000 in 1933 to over 10,000 in 1961. Gradual growth continued from the 1960s to the 1980s, with the population rising to about 12,000 in 1986. The population was relatively stable during the 1990s, and then declined slightly, falling from about 11,900 in 2001 to about 11,300 in 2011.

Land use

The District Council of Loxton Waikerie area is predominantly rural, with small townships at Loxton and Waikerie, and smaller settlements at Kingston on Murray and Moorook. Land is used largely for agriculture, particularly grape, citrus and cereal growing and grazing, with some nut, berry, fruit and vegetable growing. The Council area encompasses a total land area of about 7,800 square kilometres.

Transport

The District Council of Loxton Waikerie area is served by the Sturt Highway.

Major features

• Major features of the Council area include Bakara Conservation Park,
• Billiatt Conservation Park,
• Maize Island Lagoon Conservation Park,
• Peebinga Conservation Park,
• Pooginook Conservation Park,
• Moorook Game Reserve,
• The Murray River,
• Hart Lagoon,
• Wachtels Lagoon,
• The Village Historic Loxton,
• The Pines Historic House and Garden,
• Loch Luna Cruises,
• RiverGum Cruises,
• Murray River Queen (paddlesteamer),
• Banrock Station Wine & Wetland Centre,
• Kingston Estate Wines,
• Salena Estate Wines,
• Torambre Nissen Hut Wines,
• The Waikerie Ferry,
• Loxton Golf Club,
• Waikerie Golf Club,
• Loxton Hospital,
• Waikerie Health Service,
• BirdLife Australia Gluepot Reserve,
• Loxton Showground and Waikerie Recreation Reserve.

Included areas