Somerset, Tasmania

Somerset
Tasmania

Shops in Somerset
Somerset
Coordinates 41°02′S 145°50′E / 41.033°S 145.833°E / -41.033; 145.833Coordinates: 41°02′S 145°50′E / 41.033°S 145.833°E / -41.033; 145.833
Population 3,078 (2006 census)[1]
Postcode(s) 7322
Location
LGA(s) Waratah-Wynyard Council
State electorate(s) Braddon
Federal Division(s) Braddon
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
16.7 °C
62 °F		 6.9 °C
44 °F		 998.3 mm
39.3 in
The beach at Somerset
The beach at Somerset

Somerset is a small township to the west of Burnie, Tasmania, Australia. Today the city of Burnie encompasses the entire Burnie-Somerset urban area; however, the town is part of the Waratah/Wynyard municipal area.

History

Somerset River Cam Post Office opened on 5 November 1864. It was renamed Somerset Cam around 1934 and Somerset in 1963.[2]

Geography

Somerset is located on the estuary of the Cam River midway between the township of Wynyard and the city of Burnie. The Cam River is the borderline of where the Waratah-Wynyard Council meets the City of Burnie. A beach stretches along the full length of the Somerset coastline from the Cam River to the far western outskirts.

Climate

The temperature in summer ranges from 12.5 °C to 21 °C, with drier days as warm as 30 °C, and around 16 hours of sunlight per day. In winter, temperatures range from 6 °C to 13 °C, and only 8 hours of sunlight.

Demographics

At the 2006 census, Somerset had a population of 3,078.[1]

Economy

There are a number of small businesses in Somerset with almost all along the main street.

Notable industries in Somerset include: Gunns Veneers, which is one of only three production facilities in Australasia. Gunns Veneers is Australasia’s largest producer of sliced veneers and the world’s largest producer of Eucalypt veneers. The Burnie branch of William Adams. William Adams is a CAT Rental Dealer as well as a servicing department. They specialize in the repairing, maintenance and modifications of heavy machinery used for mining, forestry and agriculture.

Media

The Advocate is the local newspaper for the region, with its press and mailroom located in Burnie.

Somerset has access to the ABC, SBS, WIN and Southern Cross television stations. The fifth channel, Tasmanian Digital Television, has recently started transmitting from the tower at Round Hill, East of Burnie. However many residents still cannot access this channel.

Sport

Somerset is home to five sporting venues: a football field, soccer field, tennis courts, a recreation center and a surf lifesaving club.

Education

Somerset does not have a public high school or college.

There is one public primary school in Somerset, Somerset Primary School, located at the site of the old West Somerset Primary School, after the two schools merged.

There is one private school in Somerset, Seabrook Christian School, which is located on the outskirts of the town. The school follows the Accelerated Christian Education curriculum and is for students from kinder to grade 12.

Transport

Somerset is connected to the surrounding areas by the Bass Highway which runs through the town following the coast. Somerset is also connected to the West Coast by the Murchison Highway which begins beside the Cam River.

The only public transport in the area is Metro Tasmania which offers bus services from Wynyard to Ulverstone.

The Burnie Airport is located in the township of Wynyard, a 15-minute drive away.

References

  1. 1 2 Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Somerset (State Suburb)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 2007-11-14.
  2. ↑ Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
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