The Shire of Gingin is located on the traditional land of the Yued people and Gingin in particular, is one of WA's older rural settlements having been gazetted as a town in 1871. Both Indian Ocean Drive and the Brand Highway pass north through the Shire of Gingin and the new Tonkin Highway extension finishes just 15 minutes drive south of the township of Gingin where it connects with Brand Highway and the Great Northern Highway in Muchea. The Shire has the convenience of the nearby metropolitan area with all the benefits of rural and coastal living.
About the Shire
Home to one of WA’s oldest towns, several historic shipwrecks, numerous popular coastal tourist destinations, and a thriving agricultural industry, the Shire of Gingin is located on the northern doorstep to the Perth metropolitan area and is one of the State’s fastest growing country local governments.
The Shire encompasses an area of 3,223 km² and is home to a population of approximately 5,700 residents. There are five townships within the Shire: Gingin, Guilderton, Lancelin, Ledge Point, and Seabird and several smaller rural residential estates.
Geographically the Shire stretches from the coastline across the flat sandy soils of the Swan Coastal Plain in the west to the hinterland and foothills of the Darling Scarp in the east. It also embraces the lower reaches of Moore River together with a system of freshwater lakes, streams and swamps, and the watercourse of Gingin Brook.
The Shire of Gingin falls into the traditional land area of the Yued Noongar People which covers approximately 29,253km2 and also includes the Shires of Coorow, Dalwallinu, Dandaragan, Moora, Victoria Plains, Toodyay, and Chittering. Nyoongar camping grounds, birthing areas, festival places, songlines, and sacred lore sites are scattered throughout the Yued region and some are found along Moore River, known as ‘Gabah-daar’ (translated as ‘mouthful of water’), and Karakin Lakes, known as ‘Karak-nyinning’ (translated as ‘home/place of the black red-tail cockatoo’).
Agriculture is the Shire’s primary economic contributor and accounts for approximately 40% of local business and some 137,145 hectares of land. Local industries within the Shire include cattle and sheep grazing, apiaries, irrigated horticulture, viticulture, olive groves, aquaculture, piggeries, poultry farms, wineries, abattoirs, feedlots, and cray fishing. In addition to rural industries the Shire’s economy is also based around tourism with coastal areas consistently experiencing large influxes of people during holiday periods.
With its wide-open spaces, beautiful coastline and river systems, fascinating history, and passionate communities, the Shire of Gingin has much to offer and is an exceptional place to live and visit.
Who We Are
The Shire of Gingin is governed by 9 Councillors who are elected by public vote to represent the interests and needs of the community as specified within the Local Government At 1995. The Shire's Councillors work together as a team to represent the interests of the Shire as a whole. Once a decision is made by Council it is the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer to see that decision implemented.
Council are supported by a team of administration and technical staff who carry out the day to day running of the Shire and the provision of services to the Shire's communities.
What We Do
The Shire of Gingin is responsible for numerous services and employs approximately 90 full time, part time and casual staff to provide the following services:
- Road building and maintenance (Shire roads - excludes Brand Hwy and Indian Ocean Drive)
- Planning and local economic development
- Community support services, aged care and disability services
- Library services
- Maintenance of heritage assets
- Waste collection and disposal, including recycling and waste management
- Maintenance of recreational grounds and public buildings
- Street cleaning
- Cemetery and niche wall facilities
- Public conveniences
- Food and health safety
- Environmental protection and improvement
- Building control and inspection
- Dog and Cat control
- Licensing of entertainment venues
- Maintenance of parks, open spaces and playgrounds
- Community centres
- Arts heritage and cultural facilities
Keeping You Informed
The Shire of Gingin is made up of various communities and as such, endeavours to communicate via a number of media channels all of the latest news happening around your Shire. Stay informed via the following methods: