Swan Marsh is a town in the Western District of Victoria, Australia. The town is located in the Colac Otway Shire local government area, 168 kilometres (104 mi) south west of the state capital, Melbourne.

Swan Marsh
Victoria
Main street
Swan Marsh is located in Colac Otway Shire
Swan Marsh
Swan Marsh
Coordinates38°22′0″S 143°23′0″E / 38.36667°S 143.38333°E / -38.36667; 143.38333
Population121 (2016 census)[1]
Postcode(s)3249
Location
LGA(s)Colac Otway Shire
State electorate(s)Polwarth
Federal division(s)Wannon
Localities around Swan Marsh:
Stonyford Stonyford
Pirron Yallock
Pirron Yallock
Carpendeit Swan Marsh Pirron Yallock
Carpendeit Bungador Irrewillipe

The area around Swan Marsh was first settled by Europeans in the mid 19th century.[2] The area was described as ""wet, marshy land, forest and some beautiful cleared rich gently sloping high land."[2] The swamps were drained using bullock teams and hand labour to install large drains—the beginnings of the Tirrengower Drainage Scheme. The name "Swan Marsh" was derived from the swans prevalent in the local area.[2] In 1907, the area saw closer settlement with 60-acre (24 ha) blocks created and allocated mainly to young families.[2] The Swan Marsh dairy, operated by the Colac and District Company, was built in 1901. From the 1930s to its closure in 1956, the dairy produced casein.[2]

Swan Marsh today has four businesses: the post office, the general store/take away food outlet, a peat mine and a water carter.[2] Community facilities include the football ground/recreation reserve, public hall, tennis courts and a speedway circuit.[2] The town hosts a Country Fire Authority volunteer brigade.[2] Swan Marsh Primary School services the town.[3]

References

edit
  1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Swan Marsh (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 17 November 2017.  
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Swan Marsh and District Township Plan" (PDF). Colac Otway Shire Council. Retrieved 18 August 2010.
  3. ^ "Swan Marsh Primary School". Retrieved 18 August 2010.
edit

  Media related to Swan Marsh at Wikimedia Commons