UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND Economic Development in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia: A History and Dependency Theory Perspective A dissertation submitted by Les Sharpe For the award of Doctor of Philosophy 2004 Abstract The focus of the research undertaken for this dissertation is the economic development of the Kimberley region of Western Australia. The period studied is, approximately, the one hundred years from 1900–2000. The region has many of the characteristics of an underdeveloped area and of a low income economy. This research used dependency theory as a framework for examining the causes of underdevelopment in the Kimberley. The development that occurred in the region during the relevant period has been catalogued by the creation of a database. This has enabled the collected information to be examined and manipulated in many ways. The database has allowed the detail of development in the Kimberley to be studied with respect to time, place and type of activity. This made it possible to examine the five hypotheses proposed by A. G. Frank which he considered likely to lead to fruitful research. The detailed study of these hypotheses would not have been possible in the way described without the database. It was found that dependency theory does help to explain and understand the development experience of the Kimberley region of Western Australia during the twentieth century. This was the clear and positive result of this study. The extension to Frank’s core dependency theory, the five hypotheses, were not found to be applicable to the Kimberley region nor supported by the data. The hypotheses, therefore, do not add to our understanding of the nature of Kimberley development during the period examined. This does not invalidate or devalue the usefulness of dependency theory in this study. i CERTIFICATION OF DISSERTATION I certify that the ideas, experimental work, results, analyses, software and conclusions reported in this dissertation are entirely my own effort, except where otherwise acknowledged. I also certify that the work is original and has not been previously submitted for any other award, except where otherwise acknowledged. ______________________________ ______________ Signature of Candidate Date ENDORSEMENT ______________________________ ______________ ______________________________ ______________ Signature/s of Supervisor/s Date ii Acknowledgements There are many people who deserve my thanks and sincere gratitude. Without them this thesis could not have been completed. The following are a few of the many. • My two supervisors Dr Rod St Hill and Mr John Searle who provided continuous guidance over a long period and across many kilometres. Their perseverance, experience and attention to detail have been of inestimable value. It has been distance education in the extreme. • Ms Christine Bartlett who was always understanding in applying administrative rules over long and tenuous communication links. • All of the staff, past and present, at the U.S.Q. Off Campus Library. (One day I hope to meet at least a few of the above in person.) • Everyone at the Derby Library, especially Stephanie Roe, Jane Edwards and Suzie Moffat. • Robbie Meerman of D.I.T.S who kept my hardware going and loaned me spares as necessary. • My son, Michael, who, from his home in U.S.A., was ready at any hour to electronically swoop into my machine to correct program errors, to install updates and to adapt and service my ageing operating system and software. • My daughter, Yvonne, whose support at times of personal stress was invaluable. • My wife, Stella, who made the real sacrifices. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION........................................................................................ 1 OBJECTIVE ................................................................................................... 1 BACKGROUND TO THIS STUDY........................................................................ 1 In General Terms.................................................................................... 1 Special Features..................................................................................... 2 DEPENDENCY THEORY .................................................................................. 3 Justification for the Use of Dependency Theory ..................................... 3 Advantages over Other Theories of Development .................................. 5 THE CONCEPT AND THE QUESTIONS............................................................... 7 METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................ 8 OUTLINE OF THE STUDY .............................................................................. 10 CONCLUSION.............................................................................................. 12 CHAPTER 2................................................................................................. 13 THE KIMBERLEY PAST AND PRESENT................................................. 13 OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................... 13 THE KIMBERLEY GEOGRAPHICALLY AND HISTORICALLY.................................. 13 GEOGRAPHY OF THE KIMBERLEY .................................................................. 14 Position................................................................................................. 14 Water .................................................................................................... 15 Hills and Ranges................................................................................... 15 Climate.................................................................................................. 15 HISTORY OF THE KIMBERLEY........................................................................ 17 Discovery.............................................................................................. 17 Population............................................................................................. 18 Pastoral Industry................................................................................... 19 Incomes ................................................................................................ 21 Finance................................................................................................. 22 Infrastructure......................................................................................... 24 Communications ................................................................................... 25 Transport .............................................................................................. 25 Air Transport ......................................................................................... 26 Shipping and Ports ............................................................................... 28 Mining ................................................................................................... 30 Pearling................................................................................................. 32 Agriculture............................................................................................. 33 Aquaculture........................................................................................... 34 Tourism................................................................................................. 35 THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION .............................................................. 36 Building a Model ................................................................................... 36 Gathering Data ..................................................................................... 37 The Database Model ............................................................................ 38 Database Design .................................................................................. 39 Determination of an “Event”.................................................................. 40 SUMMARY .................................................................................................. 41 CONCLUSION.............................................................................................. 42 CHAPTER 3................................................................................................. 43 THE PEOPLE AND MAJOR INDUSTRIES OF THE KIMBERLEY ............ 43 OBJECTIVE ................................................................................................. 43 THE PEOPLE AND THE INDUSTRIES ............................................................... 43 The People ........................................................................................... 45 The Major Industries: An Overview....................................................... 49 THE MINING INDUSTRY ................................................................................ 53 THE PASTORAL INDUSTRY ........................................................................... 62 THE PEARLING INDUSTRY ............................................................................ 68 SUMMARY .................................................................................................. 76 CONCLUSION.............................................................................................. 76 CHAPTER 4................................................................................................