Margaret River Timeline

By A.Louw
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    1950s Land Use & Population

    Land use:
    - Margaret river was mainly used with agriculture.
    - Used for dairy farming, livestock grazing, and cropping.
    - Margaret river was characterized as rural land.
    - Township established in the 1910s. Population:
    - Population of 2314 people.
    - The town itself was likely much smaller.
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    1950s Settlement Patterns & Transport Developments

    Settlement Patterns:
    - Heavily influenced by WW1
    - Many migrants came to the region to establish farms in the area.
    - Primary Economic activity was agriculture, therefore settlement pattern was centred around that. Transport Developments
    - Largely rely on unpaved roads, accessed mainly by cars, and some horse-drawn vehicles.
    - Limited rail connection services to larger regional centres.
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    1980s Settlement Patterns & Transport Development

    Settlement Patterns
    - Failed to sustain farming leading to farms being abandoned
    - Population increased economic activity grew, infrastructure services expand
    - Wine production and tourism slowing started increased
    - New Residents and visitors Transport Developments
    - Better roads built and more efficient vehicles
    - The railway system closed in 1980s
    - Buses and roads freight continued after trains shut down
    - Train station was relocated to Busselton to be used as a tourist railway venture
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    1980s Land use & Population

    Land Use:
    - Still characterized as rural land.
    - Agriculture continues, especially dairy farming.
    - Developed townsite with accompanying residential, commercial, and community land use.
    - Re-owned for its natural features like rivers, forests, and caves. Population
    - The population of Western Australia in 1980 was 1,300,056 but no information about exact numbers.
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    2000s Land use & Population

    Land use:
    - World renowned for its wine production and its industry was well established by 2000s.
    - Agriculture like farming and livestock still active but wine was dominant.
    - Historical connection to forestry but reduced over time. Population
    - The population went from 3,600 to 5,300 from 2001 to 2011.
    -Most of the population at the time were between the age of 30 and 55 years old.
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    2000s Settlement Patterns & Transport Development

    Settlement Patterns:
    - Deregulation of the dairy industry
    - Introduction of forestry
    - Mix of traditional rural areas and growing coastal settlement Transport Developments:
    - Improving air travel and integrating the transport system.
    - Air service from Perth to Busselton and Margaret River.
    - Fuel cell buses and travel smart program are being made
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    2020s Land Use & Population

    Land Use:
    - Agriculture especially viticulture (wine) and tourism
    -Known for rural landscapes, like grazing land and forestry
    - Towns are growing in residential and commercial area Population:
    - The population is 18,600 in the general area of Margaret river as the year of 2023
    - The region experienced rapid growth
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    2020s Settlement Patterns & Transport Developments

    Settlement Patterns:
    - Population growth driven by desirability as a place to live and visit.
    - Family - friendly community with a strong focus on the natural environment Transport Developments:
    - Completion of Wilman Wadani Highway
    - Expansion of Busselton Margaret River Airport