Central Highlands was established on 2 April 1993 after the amalgamation of the Bothwell and Hamilton municipalities. Central Highlands is the least densely populated local government area of Tasmania, with only 0.3 people per square kilometre. The municipality is classified as rural, agricultural and medium (RAM) under the Australian Classification of Local Governments.
Towns The population of the area is small and quite decentralised, resulting in a large number of small towns. Some of these towns were founded as support sites for workers on the
hydro-electric dams scattered along the upper
Derwent River. Main towns are considered Hamilton (council headquarters) and Bothwell. The towns (with population as of 2006): •
Bothwell (376) •
Bronte Park (16) •
Derwent Bridge (?) •
Hamilton (300) •
Liawenee (?) •
Miena (104) •
Ouse (137) •
Tarraleah Townships The municipality is subdivided into eight
townships: • Hamilton Township • Ouse Township •
Gretna Township •
Ellendale Township •
Fentonbury Township •
Westerway Township •
Wayatinah Township • Bothwell Township
Other localities • • • • • • •
Central Plateau • • • • • • • • • • •
Lake St Clair • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Southwest • • • • •
Waddamana •
Walls of Jerusalem •
Parks and reserves It covers most of the mountainous centre of the state, also known as the
Central Plateau which contains the
Central Plateau Conservation Area including sections of the
Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, as well as the
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, and
Walls of Jerusalem National Park. Other smaller reserves of different status occur in the region as well. ==Council==