Central Highlands Region

For the Local Government Area in Tasmania, see Central Highlands Council.

Local government area in Queensland, Australia

Central Highlands Region
Queensland

Location within Queensland

Coordinates| 23°31′20″S 148°09′42″E﻿ / ﻿23.52222°S 148.16167°E﻿ / -23.52222; 148.16167﻿ (Central Highlands Region)
Population| 27,836 (2021 census)[1]
• Density| 0.465220/km2 (1.20492/sq mi)
Established| 2008
Area| 59,834 km2 (23,102.0 sq mi)[2]
Mayor| Janice Moriarty
Council seat| Emerald
State electorate(s)| Gregory
Federal division(s)| Flynn
Website| Central Highlands Region
| LGAs around Central Highlands Region:

Isaac | Rockhampton | Rockhampton
Barcaldine | Central Highlands Region | Banana
Blackall-Tambo
Murweh | Maranoa | Western Downs

Central Highlands Region is a local government area in Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, the Central Highlands Region had a population of 27,836 people.[1]

## History

[edit]

Wadja (also known as Wadjigu, Wadya, Wadjainngo, Mandalgu, and Wadjigun) is an Australian Aboriginal language in Central Queensland. The language region includes the local government areas of the Aboriginal Shire of Woorabinda and Central Highlands Region, including the Blackdown Tableland, the Comet River, and the Expedition Range, and the towns of Woorabinda, Springsure and Rolleston.[3]

Yambina (also known as Jambina and Jambeena) is an Australian Aboriginal language of Central Queensland. Its traditional language region is the local government area of Central Highlands Region, including Peak Downs, Logan Creek, south to Avon Downs, east to Denham Range and Logan Downs, west to Elgin Downs and at Solferino.[4]

Yetimarala (also known as Jetimarala, Yetimaralla, and Bayali) is an Australian Aboriginal language of Central Queensland. Its traditional language region is within the local government areas of Central Highlands Region, on the Boomer Range and Broadsound Range and the Fitzroy River, Killarney Station, Mackenzie River and Isaac River.[5]

The Central Highlands Region was created in March 2008 as a result of the report of the Local Government Reform Commission released in July 2007. The new local government area, located in Central Queensland, contains the entire areas of four previous local government areas:

* the Shire of Bauhinia;
* the Shire of Duaringa;
* the Shire of Emerald; and
* the Shire of Peak Downs.

Legislation introduced into the Queensland Parliament gave the name of the new region as Central Highlands.[6] The report recommended that the new local government area should not be divided into wards and should elect eight councillors and a mayor. The Central Highlands Region has an area of 59,834 square kilometres (23,102 sq mi),[2] contained an estimated resident population in 2018 of 28,645[2] and has an estimated operating budget of A$66 million.[when?]

On 17 April 2020, the Queensland Government re-drew the boundaries of localities within the Region by:[7][8][9]

* replacing the locality of The Gemfields with three new localities of Rubyvale, Sapphire Central and Anakie Siding (around the towns of Rubyvale, Sapphire, and Anakie respectively)
* adjusting the boundaries of existing localities to accommodate these changes by:
* Argyll losing its south-eastern corner to become the northern part of the new Rubyvale and the north-eastern part of the new Sapphire Central
* Emerald gaining the north-eastern corner and eastern parts of The Gemfields but losing a small area on its western boundary to the new Anakie Siding
* Gindie gaining the south-eastern corner of The Gemfields and gaining the eastern edge of Lochington, but losing a small area of its northern part and a small area from its north-east part to Anakie Siding
* Lochington losing a small portion of land to the north to the new Anakie Siding, losing land from its north-eastern edge mostly to Gindie but gaining a small piece of land from Minerva
* Minerva losing a small piece of land from its north-western edge of Lochington

As a consequence of these changes, Lake Maraboon is now entirely within the north-west of Gindie and the boundary between Lochington and Minerva/Gindie more closely follows the course of the Nogoa River.[10]

## Demographics

[edit]

In the 2016 census, the Central Highlands Region had a population of 27,999 people.[11]

In the 2021 census, the Central Highlands Region had a population of 27,836 people.[1]

## Towns and localities

[edit]

The Central Highlands Region includes the following settlements:

Bauhinia area:

* Arcadia Valley (rural locality)
* Arcturus (rural locality)
* Buckland (locality)
* Cairdbeign (locality)
* Cona Creek (locality)
* Consuelo (rural locality)
* Coorumbene (rural locality)
* Humboldt (rural locality)
* Lowesby (rural locality)
* Minerva (rural locality)
* Mungabunda (rural locality)
* Nandowrie (locality)
* Orion (village)
* Rewan (rural locality)
* Rolleston (town)
* Springsure (town)
* Togara (rural locality)
* Wealwandangie (rural locality)

Duaringa area:

* Bauhinia (township)
* Blackwater (town)
* Bluff (town)
* Dingo (town)
* Duaringa (town)

Emerald area:

* Bogantungan (village)
* Comet (village)
* Emerald (town)
* Fernlees (village)
* Gindie (village)
* Lochington (locality)
* Withersfield (village)
* Yamala (village)
* Anakie (Gemfields town)
* Rubyvale (Gemfields town)
* Sapphire (Gemfields town)
* The Willows (sometimes also called Willows Gemfields)

Peak Downs area:

* Argyll (rural locality)1
* Capella (town)
* Crinum (locality)
* Theresa Creek (rural locality)
* Tieri (town)

|

Notes:

1 – partially shared with Isaac Region (former Belyando Shire)

## Libraries

[edit]

The Central Highlands Region operates public libraries at Bauhinia, Blackwater, Capella, Dingo, Duaringa, Emerald, Rubyvale (The Gemfields), Rolleston, Springsure and Tieri.[12]

## Mayors

[edit]

* 2008–2016: Peter John Eric Maguire[13][14]
* 2016–2024: Kerry Michael Hayes[15][16]
* 2024–present: Janice Margaret Moriarty[17]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Central Highlands Region (LGA)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
2. ^ a b c "3218.0 – Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2017-18: Population Estimates by Local Government Area (ASGS 2018), 2017 to 2018". Australian Bureau of Statistics. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2019. Estimated resident population, 30 June 2018.
3. ^ This Wikipedia article incorporates CC BY 4.0 licensed text from: "Wadja". Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages map. State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
4. ^ This Wikipedia article incorporates CC BY 4.0 licensed text from: "Yambina". Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages map. State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
5. ^ This Wikipedia article incorporates CC BY 4.0 licensed text from: "Yetimarala". Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages map. State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
6. ^ "Local Government Reform Bill" (PDF). State of Queensland. 2007. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 September 2007. Retrieved 9 September 2007.
7. ^ "Recent place name decisions: Job number 18-115: The Gemfields". Queensland Government. 17 April 2020. Archived from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
8. ^ "Proposed Locality Boundaries and Names: Anakie Siding, Argyll, Emerald, Gindie, Lochington, Minerva, Rubyvale and Sapphire Central" (PDF). Queensland Government. 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
9. ^ "Locality Boundaries and Names: Anakie Siding, Argyll, Emerald, Gindie, Lochington, Minerva, Rubyvale and Sapphire Central" (PDF). Queensland Government. 17 April 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
10. ^ "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
11. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Central Highlands Region (LGA)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
12. ^ "Locations". Central Highlands Regional Council. Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
13. ^ "2008 Central Highlands Regional Council – Mayoral Election – Election Summary". results.ecq.qld.gov.au. Archived from the original on 29 March 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
14. ^ "2012 Central Highlands Regional Council – Mayoral Election – Election Summary". results.ecq.qld.gov.au. Archived from the original on 1 April 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
15. ^ "2016 Central Highlands Regional Council – Mayoral Election – Election Summary". results.ecq.qld.gov.au. Archived from the original on 27 March 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
16. ^ "2020 Local Government Elections: Saturday, 28 March 2020". Electoral Commission of Queensland. 2020. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
17. ^ Offord, Geordi (28 March 2024). "Janice Moriarty declared mayor of Central Highlands Regional Council". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 29 March 2024. "Central Highlands Regional Council has its first female mayor since it was established in 2008 after Janice Moriarty was officially declared the winner by the Electoral Commission Queensland on Thursday."

## External links

[edit]

* Central Highlands Regional Council
* Central Highlands Regional Council – Local Transition Committee
* University of Queensland: Queensland Places: Central Highlands Regional Council
* Springsure Library

* v
* t
* e

Towns and localities in the Central Highlands Region, Queensland

Current towns and localities|

* Albinia
* Alsace
* Anakie
* Anakie Siding
* Arcadia Valley
* Arcturus
* Argyll
* Balcomba
* Barnard
* Bauhinia
* Belcong
* Bingegang
* Blackdown
* Blackwater
* Bluff
* Bogantungan
* Boolburra
* Buckland
* Bundoora
* Cairdbeign
* Capella
* Carbine Creek
* Carnarvon Park
* Cheeseborough
* Chirnside
* Comet
* Cona Creek
* Consuelo
* Coomoo
* Coorumbene
* Cotherstone
* Crinum
* Dingo
* Dromedary
* Duaringa
* Emerald
* Fernlees
* Fork Lagoons
* Gainsford
* Gindie
* Goomally
* Goowarra
* Gordonstone
* Hibernia
* Humboldt
* Jellinbah
* Khosh Bulduk
* Lilyvale
* Lochington
* Lowesby
* Lowestoff
* Mackenzie
* Mantuan Downs
* Mimosa
* Minerva
* Mount Macarthur
* Mungabunda
* Nandowrie
* Oombabeer
* Orion
* Peak Vale
* Retro
* Rewan
* Rhydding
* Rolleston
* Rubyvale
* Sapphire
* Sapphire Central
* Springsure
* Theresa Creek
* Tieri
* Togara
* Wallaroo
* Wealwandangie
* Willows
* Willows Gemfields
* Withersfield
* Wooroona
* Wyuna
* Yamala

Former localities|

* The Gemfields

Main Article: Local government areas of Queensland

* v
* t
* e

Central Queensland, Queensland

Cities:|

* Emerald
* Gladstone
* Rockhampton

Townships:|

* Bajool
* Banana
* Baralaba
* Biloela
* Bouldercombe
* Boyne Island
* Blackwater
* Bluff
* Callide
* Calliope
* Capella
* Carmila
* Clairview
* Clermont
* Comet
* Dingo
* Dysart
* Duaringa
* Gogango
* Gracemere
* Jambin
* Marlborough
* Middlemount
* Moranbah
* Moura
* Mount Larcom
* Mount Morgan
* Rannes
* Raglan
* Rolleston
* Springsure
* Stanwell
* St Lawrence
* Tannum Sands
* Tieri
* Westwood
* Wowan
* Woorabinda
* Yaamba
* Yeppoon

Local Government Areas:|

* Banana
* Central Highlands
* Gladstone
* Isaac
* Livingstone
* Rockhampton
* Woorabinda

National Parks:|

* Baga
* Blackdown Tableland
* Bulburin
* Byfield
* Capricorn Coast
* Capricornia Cays
* Carnarvon
* Castle Tower
* Curtis Island
* Deepwater
* Epping Forest
* Eurimbula
* Expedition
* Goodedulla
* Homevale
* Humboldt
* Isla Gorge
* Junee
* Keppel Bay Islands
* Kroombit Tops
* Littabella
* Mazeppa
* Minerva Hills
* Mount Archer
* Mount Colosseum
* Mount Etna Caves
* Mount O'Connell
* Mount Walsh
* Nuga Nuga
* Palmgrove
* Peak Range
* Rundle Range
* Snake Range
* Taunton
* West Hill
* Wild Cattle Island

Places of Interest:|

* Carnarvon Gorge
* Capricorn Caves
* Shoalwater Bay
* The Gemfields

* v
* t
* e

Local government areas of Queensland

South East|

* Brisbane
* Gold Coast
* Ipswich
* Lockyer Valley
* Logan
* Moreton Bay
* Noosa
* Redland
* Scenic Rim
* Somerset
* Sunshine Coast

Wide Bay–Burnett|

* Bundaberg
* Cherbourg
* Fraser Coast
* Gympie
* North Burnett
* South Burnett

Darling Downs|

* Goondiwindi
* Southern Downs
* Toowoomba
* Western Downs

Central|

* Banana
* Central Highlands
* Gladstone
* Isaac
* Livingstone
* Mackay
* Rockhampton
* Whitsunday
* Woorabinda

North|

* Burdekin
* Charters Towers
* Hinchinbrook
* Palm Island
* Townsville

Far North|

* Aurukun
* Cairns
* Cassowary Coast
* Cook
* Douglas
* Hope Vale
* Kowanyama
* Lockhart River
* Mapoon
* Mareeba
* Napranum
* Northern Peninsula Area
* Pormpuraaw
* Tablelands
* Torres
* Torres Strait Island
* Weipa
* Wujal Wujal
* Yarrabah

North West|

* Burke
* Carpentaria
* Cloncurry
* Croydon
* Doomadgee
* Etheridge
* Flinders
* Mckinlay
* Mornington
* Mount Isa
* Richmond

Central West|

* Barcaldine
* Barcoo
* Blackall-Tambo
* Boulia
* Diamantina
* Longreach
* Winton

South West|

* Balonne
* Bulloo
* Maranoa
* Murweh
* Paroo
* Quilpie

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