Tuckanarra, Western Australia Explained

Type:town
Tuckanarra
State:wa
Lga:Shire of Cue
Local Map:yes
Zoom:9
Coordinates:-27.1167°N 123°W
Postcode:6640
Est:1899
Elevation:481
Stategov:North West
Fedgov:Durack
Dist1:692
Dir1:NNE
Location1:Perth
Dist2:41
Dir2:NNE
Location2:Cue

Tuckanarra is a small town in the Shire of Cue in the Murchison region of Western Australia. The town is located between Cue and Meekatharra along the Great Northern Highway in the Mid West region of Western Australia.

Gold mining

Gold was discovered in the area by two prospectors, Boyle and Moore, in 1897 and was initially known as Boyle's Find. The two prospectors were granted the reward claim. The original townsite was located near Boyd's Hill and the town was known as Boyd's for a while. Eventually the well at Cork Tree Flat was deepened and potable water was available so the town also became known as Cork Tree Flat.[1]

A state battery was erected by the government in 1898, which led to the local progress association petitioning for a townsite to be declared. Following some debate on where it was to be situated, lots were surveyed in 1898 and the townsite was gazetted in 1899.

The town is named after a nearby hill and the name is Aboriginal in origin and the meaning of the name is thought to be camp of the wooden dish.

Railway

Tuckenarra was a siding on the Mullewa–Meekatharra railway, between Mullewa and Meekatharra. The line closed in 1978.

Energy

In 2010, Hyperion Energy purchased Karbar Station, a large property surrounding the town, proposing to construct a solar updraft tower power generation project. Construction was expected to commence in 2014,[2] and the output is projected to be 200 megawatts.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Morowa Historical Society – Ghosttowns of Western Australia. 2000. 7 March 2011.
  2. Fernandes A. WA to build nation’s first Sun power tower at Science Network WA, 27 January 2012