Blackbutt Queensland | |||||||||||||||
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Coordinates | 26°53′08″S152°06′11″E / 26.8855°S 152.1030°E | ||||||||||||||
Population | 799 (2021 census) [1] | ||||||||||||||
• Density | 101.1/km2 (261.9/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
Established | 1887 | ||||||||||||||
Postcode(s) | 4314 | ||||||||||||||
Elevation | 474 m (1,555 ft) | ||||||||||||||
Area | 7.9 km2 (3.1 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
Location | |||||||||||||||
LGA(s) | South Burnett Region | ||||||||||||||
County | Cavendish | ||||||||||||||
Parish | Taromeo | ||||||||||||||
State electorate(s) | Nanango | ||||||||||||||
Federal division(s) | Maranoa | ||||||||||||||
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Blackbutt is a rural town and locality in the South Burnett Region, Queensland, Australia. [2] [3] In the 2021 census, the locality of Blackbutt had a population of 799 people. [1]
The town is located on the D'Aguilar Highway, in the South Burnett local government area, 166 kilometres (103 mi) north-west of the state capital, Brisbane. Blackbutt lies within the Cooyar Creek catchment, tributary of the Brisbane River, which rises in the Bunya Mountains to the west.
European settlement in the Blackbutt area began in 1842, when the Scott family established Taromeo Station. In 1887, the Scott family ceded land to found both Blackbutt and its neighbouring town of Benarkin. Farms were established in the area and the discovery of gold in the area in the late 19th century led to population growth in the town.
The timber industry played an important role in the development of the town.
The town is named after Eucalyptus pilularis, commonly known as blackbutt , a common tree of the family Myrtaceae native to south-eastern Australia which is one of Australia's most important hardwoods.
Blackbutt, Benarkin and the nearby town of Yarraman are often collectively referred to as the "Timber Towns" and the terms "Timbertown" and "Timbertowners" feature in the name of many local businesses and a sporting teams. [4]
Blackbutt Provisional School opened on 20 January 1896 under teacher Rosa Bella Ryan. [5] On 1 January 1909, it became Blackbutt State School. The school was on a 6-acre-1-rood (2.5 ha) site at 97 Blackbutt Crows Nest Road in present-day Blackbutt South (south-east corner of Haynes Kite Millar Road, 26°54′04″S152°05′58″E / 26.9011°S 152.0994°E ). [6] In 1912, school daily attendance was between 60 and 70 students, [7] leading to a petition from parents to build a new school in a more central location. [8] In January 1914, the school relocated its current larger site in Blackbutt. [9] [10] [11]
Blackbutt Post Office opened by November 1906 (a receiving office had been open from 1896). [12]
When the Blackbutt railway station was built to serve the town, it was some distance from the town, so in 1910 it was decided to name the station Benarkin instead. [13] This in turn gave its name to the new town that formed near the railway station Benarkin. Because of the close proximity (3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) apart) and intertwined history of the two towns, they are often referred to as the twin towns of Blackbutt-Benarkin. [3] Blackbutt was connected to the Brisbane Valley railway line in 1911. However, the line was closed in the 1980s and was converted into a rail trail. [14]
The Blackbutt War Memorial was unveiled on 24 April 1920 by J.A. Lee, the chairman of Nanango Shire. [15]
The Blackbutt Library was opened in 1996. [16]
Tennis great Roy Emerson was born on a farm near Blackbutt [17] and attended Nukku State School for his early education. The former school building now houses the Roy Emerson Museum in Blackbutt. [18]
On 1 February 2018, Blackbutt's postcode changed from 4306 to 4314. [19]
In the 2011 census, the localities of Blackbutt and Benarkin had a combined population of 1,055 people. [20]
In the 2016 census, the locality of Blackbutt had a population of 836 people. [21]
In the 2021 census, the locality of Blackbutt had a population of 799 people. [1]
Blackbutt is the site of the Queensland Government's first trial of using fibre composite in bridge building when it was used in the replacement of Taromeo Creek bridge in 2005. [22] [23] Fibre composite materials are much stronger than steel and concrete but also much lighter and do not rust. [24]
Blackbutt State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at Crofton Street (bounded by Sutton Street, Margaret Street, and Pine Street) 26°53′26″S152°06′14″E / 26.8905°S 152.1039°E ). [25] [26] In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 165 students with 12 teachers (11 full-time equivalent) and 18 non-teaching staff (9 full-time equivalent). [27]
There is no secondary school in Blackbutt. The nearest are in Yarraman (P-9), Nanango and Kingaroy. [28]
The South Burnett Regional Council operates a public library in Blackbutt at 69 Hart Street ( 26°53′03″S152°06′06″E / 26.8843°S 152.1017°E ). [29]
The Blackbutt Yarraman branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at the QCWA Hall at 65 Coulson Street ( 26°53′08″S152°06′10″E / 26.8856°S 152.1027°E ). [30]
Town water supply is provided by Boobir Dam.
The Blackbutt Avocado Festival has been held annually in September since 2016, replacing the former Bloomin Beautiful Blackbutt Festival. It features avocado cooking demonstrations, avocado tossing competitions, presentations on farming avocados, in addition to other festival events, such as arts and craft displays, woodchop competitions and live music. [31]
The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail passes through Blackbutt, following the route of the former railway line. It is for walking cycling and horse riding; no motorised vehicles are permitted. [32]
The former Nukku school building was relocated to Hart Street ( 26°53′01″S152°06′05″E / 26.8835°S 152.1013°E ) in Blackbutt to house the Roy Emerson Museum celebrating tennis player Roy Emerson. [33] [34] [35]
Yarraman is a rural town and locality in the Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, the locality of Yarraman had a population of 1,127 people.
Nanango is a rural town and locality in the South Burnett Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, the locality of Nanango had a population of 3,679 people.
Goomeri is a rural town and locality in the Gympie Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, the locality of Goomeri had a population of 677 people.
The Brisbane Valley railway line was a railway connection in Queensland, Australia connecting Ipswich, west of Brisbane, to the upper Brisbane River valley. Progressively opened between 1884 and 1913, the railway provided a vital transport link between Ipswich and Yarraman and forged development and prosperity along its path. The line acquired its serpentine reputation because it did not take a straight course when faced with a hill or gully.
Moore is a rural town and locality in the Somerset Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, the locality of Moore had a population of 286 people.
Gunalda is a rural town in the Gympie Region and a locality split between Gympie Region and Fraser Coast Region in Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, the locality of Gunalda had a population of 426 people.
The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail (BVRT) is a 161-kilometre (100 mi) recreation trail from Wulkuraka in the City of Ipswich, via the Somerset Region to Yarraman in the Toowoomba Region, all within Queensland, Australia. The trail follows the old Brisbane Valley railway line and is open to walkers, touring cyclists and horse riders. The trail details the history and landscape of the Brisbane Valley. It is the longest rail trail in Queensland and in Australia.
Benarkin is a rural town and locality in the South Burnett Region, Queensland, Australia. The nearby town of Blackbutt is the origin of the town and the two towns are often referred to as the joint entity Blackbutt-Benarkin. In the 2021 census, the locality of Benarkin had a population of 61 people.
Maidenwell is a rural town and locality in the South Burnett Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, the locality of Maidenwell had a population of 227 people.
Colinton is a rural locality in the Somerset Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Colinton had a population of 60 people.
Nukku is a rural locality in the South Burnett Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Nukku had a population of 40 people.
Benarkin North is a rural locality in the South Burnett Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Benarkin North had a population of 341 people.
Taromeo is a rural locality in the South Burnett Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Taromeo had a population of 373 people.
Blackbutt North is a rural locality in the South Burnett Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Blackbutt North had a population of 451 people.
Blackbutt South is a rural locality in the South Burnett Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Blackbutt South had a population of 160 people.
Gilla is a rural locality in the Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Gilla had a population of 61 people.
Googa Creek is a rural locality in the Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Googa Creek had a population of 54 people.
Eskdale is a rural locality in the Somerset Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Eskdale had a population of 34 people.
South East Nanango is a rural locality in the South Burnett Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, South East Nanango had a population of 344 people.
Emu Creek is a rural locality in the Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Emu Creek had a population of 113 people.