About Katanning

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 provides quality facilities to residents from neighbouring towns such as Broomehill-Tambellup, Kojonup, Woodanilling, Wagin, Dumbleyung, Gnowangerup and Nyabing. Katanning is coupled with another seven Local Governments that lie within a 70km radius of the town providing 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 meat 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.

Population

There are 4,200 people in the Shire of Katanning, with a town population of 3,700. Katanning is the most ethnically diverse regional centre in WA. The population of the wider regional area (which includes six neighbouring Shires of Broomehill-Tambellup, Dumbleyung, Kent, Kojonup, Wagin and Woodanilling) is currently 12,500.

Location

WA’s Great Southern Region, 287km south-east of Perth (3 hours drive) and 187km (1.75 hours) to the city of Albany. Situated on the northern gateway to the Great Southern, Katanning is well established as a major service centre for the region.

Environment

Sheep and wheat farming town situated in magnificent wildflower country.

Climate

Katanning enjoys a Mediterranean/temperate climate with cool, wet winters and hot summers with cool nights.

Summer Average (Dec – Feb) Max 29°C Min 13°C

Winter Average (Jun – Aug) Max 15°C Min 6°C

Industry and Employment

Katanning Sheep Sale Yards, the largest in WA; abattoir; meat processing; CBH, a major grain handling service; hospital; education (primary, secondary, tertiary); agribusiness services; transport and logistics; housing and construction; retail services; and a vibrant small business community.

Potential Drivers:

- Mining operations/exploration, creating up to 200 jobs.

- Development of a food processing precinct, creating up to 300 jobs

- Development of Regional Strategic Industrial Precinct around the new sales yards for new rural industries.

The Katanning Regional Business Association is working in partnership with the Shire and the Great Southern Development Commission to harness opportunities within the region to help further strengthen the local economy. A number of potential new business opportunities have been identified, including services to both Katanning and Western Australia’s multicultural community.

Housing

Katanning is a dream location for first home buyers, with prices starting from as little as $100,000 and an average house price of $215,000 for a 3 bed, 1 bathroom home.

Katanning achieved WA’s highest price growth in 2012/13 at 30.3%, more than double that of the second highest price growth in a regional town.

Education

3 kindergartens, 3 primary schools, senior high school, TAFE (tertiary) and 2 education support centres (inc. special care).

Facilities

Hospital and medical centre, community health centre, childcare centre, youth centre, recreation centre, aqua centre including 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 in Katanning.

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 (inc halal), newsagency, agricultural supplies, clothing, hardware.

Hospitality

Hotels, motels; bed & breakfast; caravan park and camping grounds, cafes, restaurants, bars, takeaway food outlets.

Transport

Road, Freight Rail, bus services, airstrip.

The History of Katanning

The History of Katanning

Our Town

Our Town

Multiculturalism

Katanning is an extraordinary town in its celebration of history and its culture.
Moh Aeson is first generation Cocos Malay. His parents came to Katanning in 1976 to work at the abattoir.
He tells how people are made to feel welcome, feel involved and feel part of the community, no matter where they’re from.

The Saleyards

Rob Bushell has been running the Katanning Saleyards for 40 years.
He tells how things in the sheep trade have changed over that time, and the future of sheep business - the breeding rams, the food security and traceability of the sheep, and the animal welfare concerns.
He explains how the community spirit and pride inspired the new saleyards and helped save almost $20 million on the construction.

Agriculture

Agriculture is not just about wheat and sheep farming, it’s about new technology and innovative thinking.
Devon Gilmore from McIntosh & Son explains the new tractor technology developed by local engineers which helps kill 99% of weed seeds.

Yogi

Glenn (Yogi) Kendall is a worldwide trucking celebrity, who has built a brand using old-fashioned values and new-fashioned social media.
He has become a social media influencer from the cab in Katanning - “we are 2 hours from anywhere”.

The Co-op

Bev Lockley and Amy Richardson tell of the transformation of the Katanning co-op, and how businesses – ice creams and bulk foods – have lured a new generation of shoppers through the front door.
Bev’s ice creams are award winning and WA made.
Amy’s bulk foods are about sustainability and compostable packaging

 Clontarf

Footy legend, Willie Rowe, tells why it’s important to pass down Aboriginal tales of wisdom.
He explains how young indigenous boys on Katanning learn the key pillars of the Clontarf Academy, and how those lessons seek to fundamentally change their lives, and – hopefully – the lives of their sons and grandsons.

 Premier Mill

The Premier Mill has been at the core of Katanning’s heart since its foundation in 1891.
Nigel Oakey talks about the history of the Mill and its founder, Frederick Piesse.
This is a story of the innovation and ideas which have been carried down through generations of Katanning families.

 Moojepin

David Thompson from Moojepin Foods has turned a salt problem into “the perfect accompaniment to a cracking dish.”
He grows edible plants that are adapted to grow in salt environments.
The salty, juicy, crunchy plants are now sold at 5-star restaurants in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne.

Population and Lifestyle

Population and Lifestyle

Katanning is a true multicultural community, the most ethnically diverse regional centre in Western Australia and possibly Australia. Featuring some 50 language groups, we are proud to say that ours is a harmonious community, embracing the different cultural and religious backgrounds of our townsfolk.

One of the contributors to this cohesive sense of community spirit is that we as a town recognise ethnic diversity as an economic driver. Apart from providing a strong dedicated workforce to support staffing requirements of industry, new residents are setting up businesses that reflect their cultural heritage. These businesses are thriving, such as the halal butcher who services the region and beyond.

With big business including the sheep sale yards, the grain handling facility, the abattoir and the meat processing facility offering stable employment opportunities, unemployment is low in the town, and this is reflected in our very low crime rate.

Community events form the backbone of Katanning’s social calendar. One of the most important community events on our social calendar is the Harmony Festival, where everyone comes together to celebrate and learn more about the various cultures in our town - the food, entertainment, historical stories, and shared experiences.

Our townsfolk also have 7 day a week access during warmer months to an impressive aquatic centre, featuring an Olympic size swimming pool for competitions and lessons, a large sport and recreational centre, a youth centre, and a wide range of cafes, restaurants and bars. Sports play a huge part of community life – tennis, football, basketball, gymnastics, swimming, netball, cricket … you name it. But we also have more specialised sporting interests – from gliding and light aircraft, to BMX tracks and skate parks. Katanning is the centre for many regional, and occasionally state, competitions and events at the Katanning Speedway will appeal to motorsport enthusiasts.

Although the town and its surrounds feature plenty of wide open space and walking trails, we are also developing the Piesse Park Community Recreational Area. This will be a major gathering point for the community for picnics and family activities. The jewel in the crown of Piesse Park is the enhanced lake and dam, fed by a natural stream. 

Local and Key Industries

Local and Key Industries

Business and Employment

• Retail
• Hospitality
• Support Services
• Health and Medical Services
• Education Services
• Government Organisations
• Transport & Logistics

The Katanning Regional Business Association is working in partnership with the Shire and the Great Southern Development Commission to harness opportunities within the region to help further strengthen the local economy. A number of potential new business opportunities have been identified, including services to both Katanning and Western Australia’s multicultural community.

Agriculture

• Crop farming
• CBH
• Grain handling
• Livestock farming
• Largest undercover sheep saleyards in the Southern Hemisphere
• WAMMCO Abattoir
• Meat processing

Tourism

• Great Southern Treasures
• RV Friendly Town
• Heritage Listings
• Memorial Sites
• All Ages Playground
• Welcome Zone
• Nature Reserves
• Premier Mill Hotel

Shire Newsletter

Shire Newsletter

Katanning Shire Matters is a monthly newsletter, published in the Great Southern Herald, which summarises events and news within the Shire of Katanning. Hard copies are available at the Shire Administration on request. If you have any suggestions or feedback please send them to publicrelations@katanning.wa.gov.au