Shire Profile
Katanning is located in the Upper Great Southern and is at the heart of one of the most productive agricultural regions in Western Australia. Katanning is situated 2 ½ hours south of Perth and under 2 hours north of Albany. Katanning is a regional centre and coupled with another seven Local Governments that lie within a 70km radius of the town provides services to a combined population of approximately 12,500.
The Shire is encouraging economic development and fostering growth as part of the State Governments SuperTown Project. The agricultural sector supports more than 400 businesses in Katanning, and the commercial sector includes retail, wholesale and a large range of service industries. The Australian Bureau of Statistics lists Katanning as one of the most rapidly growing inland centres and, with continued government support, it is forecast that over the next 20 years Katanning can grow from a population of 5,000 to 15,000 which is well above state average.
The State Government recognises Katanning is the home of a range of businesses that already deliver excellent services to agriculture and thus has great promise to support growth in this area an area of Agricultural Excellence with the potential to develop as a Meat Precinct to be developed to supply met produces to the growing Asian markets. The Western Australian Meat Marketing Co-operative (WAMMCO) operates an internationally acclaimed Halal Abattoir which employs up to 340 full time workers. The new Katanning Regional Sheep Saleyard, that opened on 28 May 2014, is one of the largest facilities of its type in the country drawing livestock from across the south west land division is providing improved facilities for producers, buyers, agents and livestock reinforcing Katanning’s premier position in the industry.
With a mixture of urban and rural life, Katanning has many highly desirable characteristics that will ensure it remains a vibrant and prosperous regional centre. Katanning prides itself on its multicultural diversity and is widely recognised as a community where residents enjoy a well-developed cultural and heritage lifestyle. People from many countries around the world have settled in Katanning and this enhances the diverse and rich cultural fabric that makes Katanning such a vibrant place to live.
Katanning is the regional centre of the Upper Great Southern District and provides quality facilities to residents from neighbouring towns such as Broomehill-Tambellup, Kojonup, Woodanilling, Wagin, Dumbleyung, Gnowangerup and Nyabing.
Current Statistics
Population: 4,407 (ABS estimate 2013)
Area: 1,523km2
Length of sealed roads: 255km
Length of unsealed roads: 529km
Number of Dwellings: 2,145
Number of Shire Employees: 92 (62 Full Time Equivalent)
Educational Institutions: 2 kindergartens, 3 primary schools, 1 senior high school, Great Southern Institute of Technology (Tertiary) and 2 education support centres (including special care).
Facilities: Hospital and medical centre, community health centre, childcare centre, youth centre, recreation centre, aquatic centre including an Olympic sized swimming pool, various sports clubs including golf, tennis, and gymnastics, aged care accommodation, Community Resource Centre, Police, Fire and St John Ambulance services, parks, the National Broadband Hub.
Industry and Employment: Katanning Regional Sheep Saleyards, abattoir meat processing; CBH, hospitality; education; agribusiness services; transport and logistics; housing and construction; retail services; vibrant small business community.
Churches: Anglican, Baptist, Catholic, Foursquare, Jehovah’s Witness, Lutheran, Muslim Mosque, Seventh Day Adventist, Uniting, Wesleyan Methodist.
Retail and Commercial: Supermarkets, speciality shops, pharmacy, banks, bakeries, butcher (including Halal), news/lotto agency, agricultural supplies, clothing, hardware.
Hospitality: Hotels, motels; bed & breakfast; caravan park, camping grounds, cafes, restaurants, bars, takeaway food outlets.
Transport: Road, Freight Rail, TransWA and Airstrip.