Batchelor, Northern Territory
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Batchelor Northern Territory |
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The General Store and Post Office at Batchelor
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 Batchelor
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| Coordinates | 13°04′0″S 131°01′0″E / 13.06667°S 131.01667°ECoordinates: 13°04′0″S 131°01′0″E / 13.06667°S 131.01667°E | ||||||
| Population | 336 (2011 census) | ||||||
| Established | 1911 | ||||||
| Postcode(s) | 0845 | ||||||
| Elevation | 104 m (341 ft) | ||||||
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Coomalie Shire | ||||||
| Territory electorate(s) | Daly | ||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Lingiari | ||||||
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Batchelor is a town in the Northern Territory of Australia. The town is the current seat and largest town of the Coomalie Shire local government area. It is located 98 kilometres (61 mi) south of the territory capital, Darwin. A number of residents commute to Darwin and its suburbs for work. In the 2011 census, Batchelor recorded a population of 336 people, with 23% of aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin.
The first inhabitants and traditional owners of the land surrounding the town were the Warrai and Kungarakany indigenous groups.
A site near Rum Jungle was selected for one of two demonstration farms (the other was located at Daly River) established by the Commonwealth to investigate the economic potential of the Northern Territory following the administrative hand over from South Australia in 1911. The farm and an associated railway siding were named in 1912 after Lee Batchelor, the first minister responsible for the Northern Territory who died in office during the previous year. The farm operated until 1919, experimenting with different crops and livestock with varied results. The farm suffered from problems attracting and retaining experienced workers amid the strikes and industrial relations turmoil that led to the Darwin Rebellion. Among the crops successfully produced at the farm were melons, pumpkins and cabbages. From 1919, the farm was used both as a private cattle station and an Aboriginal compound.
A portion of the land formerly used for the demonstration farm was cleared during 1933 for use as a civilian aerodrome. This airfield would be substantially upgraded during World War II, becoming a major base for both Royal Australian Air Force and United States Army Air Forces in the defence of Australia. Units of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force also operated from Batchelor. To support the airbase, the railway siding formerly used by the demonstration farm was extended and a petrol unloading point installed.
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