Traditional Owners

The original inhabitants of the Southern Mallee District Council area were the Ngarkat and Wergaia Aboriginal people.

Settlement history

European settlement of the area dates from the 1850s, although population was minimal until the 1880s. Growth took place during the late 1800s, with more rapid development during the early 1900s, aided by the opening of the railway line in 1906. Land was used mainly for wheat growing, with sheep grazing from the 1920s, and barley and grain growing from 1935. The population of the Council area then declined gradually, falling from about 4,100 in 1933 to about 3,600 in 1961, and then to 2,800 in 1986. The population continued to decline slightly from the early 1990s, falling from about 2,500 in 1991 to about 2,100 in 2011.

Land use

The Southern Mallee District Council area is predominantly rural, with small townships at Lameroo and Pinnaroo. Land is used largely for agriculture, particularly sheep grazing and grain growing, with some vegetable growing. The Council area encompasses a total land area of nearly 6,000 square kilometres.

Transport

The Southern Mallee District Council area is served by the Mallee Highway.

Major features

• Major features of the Council area include Karte Conservation Park,
• Ngarkat Conservation Park,
• Peebinga Conservation Park,
• Scorpion Springs Conservation Park,
• Lameroo District Health Service,
• Pinnaroo Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital,
• Lameroo Golf Club,
• Pinnaroo Golf Club,
• Mallee Tourist & Heritage Centre and Pinnaroo Wetlands.

Included areas