Karoo thunderstorms in the Great Karoo. The Swartberg Pass is not tarred and can be treacherously slippery after rain. It also becomes impassable after heavy snowfalls on the mountain, a not infrequent occurrence in winter. Poet Thomas Hardy wrote of the Karoo in his poem "Drummer Hodge". In "Bridge-Guard in the Karroo", Rudyard Kipling evoked the loneliness experienced by blockhouse soldiers at Ketting station on the Dwyka River while guarding the Karoo railway track, a lifeline during the South African War (excerpts). Karoo The Karoo ( ; from a Khoikhoi word, possibly "garo" "desert") is a semi desert natural region of
Central Desert Region councillors were held on 25 October 2008. The President (Mayor) of the Central Desert Regional Council is Adrian Dixon and the Deputy President is Norbert Jampijinpa Patrick. Much of the council's area had been unincorporated, and several Community Government Councils were merged into the Central Desert Region. These were: Changes to the NT Local Government Legislation in 2013 changed the names of Shire to Regional Councils and thus the Central Desert Shire became the Central Desert Regional Council with effect from 1 January 2014. The Central Desert Regional Council is divided into 4 wards, which is governed by 12 councillors