MANJIMUP
| No one can tell you where the
heart of the forest is, but Manjimup must be
close.
The trees in the far South West are a treasure,
and at 80m tall there are claims that the
Karri is the second biggest tree in the world.
The area invokes an earlier time, when humans
hadn’t completely subdued the world around
us. The trees which dominate the landscape
have been the economic lifeblood of the town,
but this is problematic at present.
The Timber industry is undergoing a restructure
which is hurting many small operators but
the quality of timber is high and the industry
will be important for a long time. As the
restructure takes hold, making a living is
presenting a challenge to many Manjimup people,
but like Collie before it, Manjimup is facing
the challenge by developing a broader economy.
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Photo courtesy of the
Manjimup Shire Council |
This has happened before, with a number of significant
industries rising and falling in Manjimup. Perhaps
the most notable was the tobacco industry which in
the 1950s was worth literally millions of dollars,
but for reasons that most people accept as good, fell
away by the 1960s.
This is a town of people who have determined that
this is a good place to live and they’re making
the most of life. New industries are important but
the lifestyle and the relationships seem to be the
big drawcard. This is evidenced by what seems to be
a flow of people into the town who are retiring there
or winding down, and have chosen to be there because
they have ties through family or through happy history
there.
A brief talk with the community development officer
with the shire will reveal the impressive number of
festivals and events that come out of what is still
a small community…… but if life is to be
all it can, you have to do the things that are good.
| Population |
Around 4000 (Manjimup shire council) |
| Distance to Perth |
306km |
| Distance to Bunbury |
124km |
| Distance to beach |
Around 70km. Some spectacular coast
can be reached on 4wd tracks in less distance,
but get directions from a local and watch the
conditions. |
| Annual Rainfall |
Approx 1000mm |
| Schools |
3 Primary schools, 2 Senior High
schools (to Year 12), TAFE Centre, Education support
unit. |
| Police |
Police station |
| Health Services |
83 bed hospital, aged care facilities,
2 medical centres, 2 dentists, child heath centre,
Ambulance. |
| Shops |
4 Banks, Supermarket, and a range
of speciality stores |
| Sport |
Sport is an important part of life
in Manjimup, and a very diverse range of sporting
associations exist for juniors and seniors - including
Soccer, Basketball, Netball, Australian Rules
(six teams in the shire), Shooting, Motorsport,
Hockey, Cycling, Bowls Golf, and much more. |
| Other Facilities |
Recreation ground, Police &
Citizens Youth Club, Library, and Airstrip. |
| Major Industries |
Manjimup is arguably the centre
of the forestry industry, and there are still
significant operations in that industry. Plantation
timbers will clearly have to take over from natural
forest over time. There are 13 vineyards in the
local area, and horticulture is an important and
well established industry. Value adding to horticultural
product is important. |
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