The Shire of Irwin is a local government area in the Mid West region of Western Australia, about 50 kilometres (30 mi) south of Geraldton and about 360 kilometres (220 mi) north of the state capital, Perth. The Shire covers an area of 2,374 square kilometres (917 sq mi), and its seat of government is the town of Dongara.
History
The Irwin Road District was created on 24 January 1871 as one of the first regional local government areas in Western Australia. Before this, it was the "Victoria District". In 16 June 1916, Irwin received a large land area from the Upper Irwin Road Board shortly before that entity's dissolution. Sections of the district separated as part of the formation of the Carnamah Road District on 24 August 1923 and the Three Springs Road District on 2 November 1928.[2]
On 1 July 1961, it became a shire following the passage of the Local Government Act 1960, which reformed all remaining road districts into shires.[2]
In June 2015, Irwin declared itself gasfield free.[3]
^* This LGA holds city status under the Local Government Act 1995, ^† This LGA holds town status under the Local Government Act 1995, ^# Western Australian law applies to the Indian Ocean Territories under the Territories Law Reform Act 1992
