Population 3,406 (2010) Mayor Robert Chandler Website Barcaldine Region Founded 2008 Region Central West Queensland | Established 2008 State electorate(s) Gregory Area 53,677 km² Council seat Barcaldine Federal division Division of Flynn | |
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Barcaldine Region | ||
The Barcaldine Region is a local government area in Central West Queensland, Australia. Established in 2008, it was preceded by three previous local government areas which had existed for over a century.
Contents
Map of Barcaldine, QLD, Australia
It has an estimated operating budget of A$21.6 million.
History
Prior to the 2008 amalgamation, the Barcaldine Region existed as three distinct local government areas:
When the Divisional Boards Act 1879 was proclaimed on 11 November 1879, what is now the Barcaldine Region was part of the Barcaldine, Aramac, Kargoolnah and Bauhinia divisions. With the passage of the Local Authorities Act 1902, all four became Shires on 31 March 1903. A number of boundary changes took place thereafter, but by the establishment of the Shire of Jericho on 1 January 1916, the boundaries were to remain unchanged for 92 years.
In July 2007, the Local Government Reform Commission released its report and recommended that the three areas amalgamate. All three councils were rated as weak to moderate in terms of financial sustainability, and the three areas were believed to form a collective community of interest with the town of Barcaldine serving as a regional centre with commercial facilities and an airport. All three councils opposed the amalgamation, with Aramac putting an alternate suggestion together with the Shire of Winton. On 15 March 2008, the three Shires formally ceased to exist, and elections were held on the same day to elect councillors and a mayor to the Regional Council.
Wards
The council is undivided, with six councillors and a mayor serving the whole region.
Towns and localities
The Barcaldine Region includes the following settlements:
Population
The populations given relate to the component entities prior to 2008. The next census, due in 2011, will be the first for the new Region.