Shire of Lowan

Shire of Lowan Victoria
270px Location in Victoria
File:Nhill Lowan Shire Hall.JPG The Shire Hall in Nhill, built in 1888
Population	2,940 (1992)
• Density	1.0276/km2 (2.662/sq mi)
Established	1875
Area	2,861 km2 (1,104.6 sq mi)
Council seat	Nhill
Region	Wimmera
County	Lowan, Weeah
LGAs around Shire of Lowan: Walpeup Walpeup Dimboola Kaniva Shire of Lowan Dimboola Kowree Kowree Arapiles

The Shire of Lowan was a local government area in the Wimmera region of western Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of 2,861 square kilometres (1,104.6 sq mi), and existed from 1875 until 1995.

History

Lowan was originally part of the Shire of Wimmera, which incorporated in 1862. On 31 December 1875, Lowan became a shire in its own right. Several parts of the shire split away in its first 20 years;

• the Shire of Dimboola severed from Lowan and incorporated on 2 April 1885;
• the West Riding was severed, to form the Shire of Kaniva (Lawloit) on 29 May 1891;
• the South Riding was severed, to form the Shire of Kowree on 29 May 1894.

Like many western shires, it lost a remote section to its north, when the Shire of Walpeup was created on 1 November 1911.

On 20 January 1995, the Shire of Lowan was abolished, and, along with the Shire of Dimboola, was merged into the newly created Shire of Hindmarsh.

Wards

The Shire of Lowan was divided into four ridings on 31 May 1901, each of which elected three councillors:

• East Riding
• West Riding
• South Riding
• Southwest Riding

Towns and localities

• Baker
• Balrootan North
• Boyeo
• Broughton
• Kinimakatka
• Netherby
• Nhill
• Propodollah
• Tarraginnie
• Waggon Flat
• Winiam
• Yannac

Population

Year	Population
1954	3,999
1958	4,130*
1961	3,872
1966	3,822
1971	3,489
1976	3,510
1981	3,350*
1986	3,220*
1991	2,990

* Estimates in 1958, 1983 and 1988 Victorian Year Books.