Population 492 (2011 census) County Cavendish State electorate(s) Lockyer Postal code 4347 Lga Lockyer Valley Region | Postcode(s) 4347 Parish Lockyer Elevation 109 m Local time Saturday 11:37 PM Federal division Division of Wright | |
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Location 100 km (62 mi) W of Brisbane
31 km (19 mi) E of Toowoomba
11 km (7 mi) W of Gatton Weather 23°C, Wind E at 10 km/h, 82% Humidity | ||
Grantham is a town in the Lockyer Valley region of Queensland, Australia. The town is located 100 kilometres (62 mi) west of the state capital, Brisbane. At the 2011 census, Grantham and the surrounding area had a population of 492.
Contents
Map of Grantham QLD 4347, Australia
History
The area was first settled in 1841, by George Mocatta. In 1866 a railway siding from the main Toowoomba line was opened which assisted in the development of a small settlement. It wasn't until the mid-1879s that a railway station was built. A butter factory was established in 1907. The building was replaced in 1926 by a brick building which operated until 1971.
Grantham Post Office opened on 1 January 1890 (a receiving office had been open from 1876).
2011 flash floods
On 10 January 2011, Grantham was severely damaged in a huge flash flood. Twelve people lost their lives and a large number of houses and other buildings were destroyed.
Following the floods, Grantham received visits by politicians including Queensland Premier Anna Bligh on numerous occasions. Australia's Governor-General Quentin Bryce also visited the town.
In May 2011, it was announced that the town would be moved to higher ground to prevent future damaging floods. A 935-acre site was purchased so that landholders could be provided a voluntary swap of equivalent-sized blocks. The new site is situated on a hill overlooking Grantham and has permission from the state government to bypass the normal development approval process. Resident of nearby Murphys Creek, Postmans Ridge, Withcott and Helidon have been included in the fast-tracked plan.