Ashburton - Tom Price

Ashburton-Tom Price region is a picturesque area located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The region is located in the northern part of the state, and it covers over 157,000 square kilometers. The region has a long and fascinating history, and it is home to some of Australia's most stunning landscapes. In this article, we will take a closer look at the local history of the Ashburton-Tom Price region. Indigenous History The Ashburton-Tom Price region has a rich indigenous history that dates back thousands of years. The area was traditionally occupied by the Indigenous people, who belonged to the Mandjildjara, Puutu Kunti Kurrama, and Nyiyaparli tribes. These tribes were semi-nomadic, and they lived off the land by hunting and gathering. The region was teeming with wildlife, including kangaroos, emus, and wallabies, making it an ideal place for the Indigenous people to thrive. In the early 1800s, European settlers began to move into the region. Unfortunately, this caused a great deal of upheaval and disruption for the Indigenous people. The settlers took over the land and resources, and they forced the Indigenous people to move away from their traditional lands. Exploration and Colonisation In the late 1800s, the Western Australian government began to encourage settlers to move to the Pilbara region. The government believed that the area had vast potential for mining, pastoralism, and agriculture. This led to a wave of new settlers moving into the region, and by the early 1900s, the region was thriving. In 1902, the government established the Ashburton Road Board to oversee the development of the region. The road board was responsible for building infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and water supply systems. The region's population grew steadily, and many new towns and settlements were established. Mining History The Ashburton-Tom Price region is most famous for its mining history. In the 1960s and 1970s, the region became the center of Australia's iron ore mining industry. The Pilbara region had vast deposits of iron ore, and mining companies flocked to the area to extract it. The town of Tom Price was established in the late 1960s to support the mining industry. It was named after Sir Thomas Price, who was the Premier of South Australia from 1905 to 1910. Tom Price quickly became the hub of the region's mining industry, and it remains an important center for the industry today. Today, the mining industry is still the backbone of the Ashburton-Tom Price region's economy. The region produces vast amounts of iron ore, and mining companies are continually investing in new technology and infrastructure to increase production. Conclusion The Ashburton-Tom Price region has a rich and fascinating history that spans centuries. From its early Indigenous roots to its modern-day mining industry, the region has undergone many changes over the years. Today, the region remains an important center for Australia's mining industry, and its stunning landscapes continue to attract visitors from all over the world.