Tuckanarra, Western Australia
| Tuckanarra Western Australia | |
|---|---|
  Tuckanarra | |
 | |
| Coordinates | 27°07′S 118°05′E / 27.117°S 118.083°E |
| Established | 1899 |
| Postcode(s) | 6640 |
| Elevation | 481 m (1,578 ft) |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Shire of Cue |
| State electorate(s) | North West |
| Federal division(s) | Durack |
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.[1] 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.[2]
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 Northern 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,[needs update][3] and the output is projected to be 200 megawatts.
References
- ^ "History of country town names – T". Western Australian Land Information Authority. Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2008.
- ^ "Morowa Historical Society – Ghosttowns of Western Australia" (PDF). 2000. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
- ^ Fernandes A. WA to build nation’s first Sun power tower at Science Network WA, 27 January 2012