title: Shire of Birchip
text: # Shire of Birchip
  
  The Shire of Birchip was a local government area about 170 kilometres (106 mi) northwest of Bendigo, in northwestern Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of 1,468 square kilometres (566.8 sq mi), and existed from 1895 until 1995.
  
  ## History
  
  Birchip was first incorporated as a shire on 6 April 1895. It was originally gazetted as the Shire of Wirmbirchip, with the error being fixed on 8 November 1895. On 22 May 1896, it annexed parts of the Shire of Borung.
  
  On 20 January 1995, the Shire of Birchip was abolished, and along with the Shires of Charlton, Donald and Wycheproof, and parts of the Shire of Kara Kara, was merged into the newly created Shire of Buloke.
  
  ## Wards
  
  The Shire of Birchip was divided into three ridings on 31 May 1988, each of which elected three councillors:
  
  * North Riding
  * South Riding
  * West Riding
  
  ## Towns and localities
  
  * Ballapur
  * Birchip*
  * Curyo
  * Jil Jil
  * Karyrie
  * Kinnabulla
  * Lake Tchum
  * Morton Plains
  * Reedy Dam
  * Warmur
  * Watchupga
  * Whirily
  * Wilkur South
  * Council seat.
  
  ## Population
  
  | Year | Population |
  | - | - |
  | 1954 | 1,745 |
  | 1958 | 1,860* |
  | 1961 | 1,899 |
  | 1966 | 1,921 |
  | 1971 | 1,739 |
  | 1976 | 1,555 |
  | 1981 | 1,466 |
  | 1986 | 1,339 |
  | 1991 | 1,249 |
  
  * Estimate in the 1958 Victorian Year Book.
  