The Gemfields Queensland | |||||||||||||||
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Coordinates | 23°32′33″S147°48′39″E / 23.5425°S 147.8108°E | ||||||||||||||
Population | 1,449 (2016 census) [1] | ||||||||||||||
• Density | 1.3444/km2 (3.4820/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
Gazetted | 13 August 2010 | ||||||||||||||
Postcode(s) | 4702 | ||||||||||||||
Area | 1,077.8 km2 (416.1 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
LGA(s) | Central Highlands Region | ||||||||||||||
State electorate(s) | Gregory | ||||||||||||||
Federal division(s) | Flynn | ||||||||||||||
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The Gemfields is a former locality in the Central Highlands Region, Queensland, Australia. [2] In the 2016 census, The Gemfields had a population of 1,449 people. [1]
On 17 April 2020, the Queensland Government re-drew the boundaries of localities within the Central Highlands Region by removing the locality of The Gemfields in order to create three new localities of Rubyvale, Sapphire Central and Anakie Siding (around the towns of Rubyvale, Sapphire, and Anakie respectively). [3] [4] [5]
The locality contained three small towns: Anakie, Rubyvale, and Sapphire. [6]
The nearest major town was Emerald. [6]
The Western railway line passed through the locality from east (Emerald) to west (Willows). There was a railway station at Anakie ( 23°33′10″S147°44′43″E / 23.5528°S 147.7453°E ) and a railway siding at Taroborah ( 23°32′29″S147°56′42″E / 23.5414°S 147.9450°E ). [6] [7] [8]
As the name suggested, the main industry in The Gemfields was sapphire mining, supported by tourism.
Anakie Provisional School opened on 27 July 1885. It became Anakie State School on 1 January 1909. Due to low attendances it opened and closed at times, but continues to operate to the present day. [9]
Taraborah Provisional School (also written as Taroborah) opened in 1900. On 1 July 1909 it became Taraborah State School. It closed on 1911. [9]
In the 2011 census, The Gemfields had a population of 1,630. [10]
In the 2016 census, The Gemfields had a population of 1,449 people. [1]
On 17 April 2020, the Queensland Government re-drew the boundaries of localities within the Central Highlands Region by discontinuing the locality of The Gemfields in order to create three new localities of Rubyvale, Sapphire Central and Anakie Siding (around the towns of Rubyvale, Sapphire, and Anakie respectively).: [3] [4] [5]
The Central Highlands Regional Council operated a public library at 7 Burridge Road, Rubyvale. [11]
Anakie State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at Cook Street ( 23°33′14″S147°44′45″E / 23.5540°S 147.7458°E ). [12] [13] In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 83 students with 7 teachers (6 full-time equivalent) and 7 non-teaching staff (4 full-time equivalent). [14] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 77 students with 7 teachers (6 full-time equivalent) and 9 non-teaching staff (5 full-time equivalent). [15]
There were no secondary schools in The Gemfields. The nearest government secondary school was Emerald State High School in Emerald to the east. [6]
GemFest was an annual festival in the region, attracting large numbers of visitors. [16]
Rubyvale is a rural town and locality in the Central Highlands Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, the town of Rubyvale had a population of 640 people.
Willows Gemfields is a rural town in the locality of Willows in the Central Highlands Region of Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Willows Gemfields had a population of 114 people.
Sapphire Central is a rural locality in the Central Highlands Region, Queensland, Australia. The town of Sapphire is within the locality. Sapphires are mined extensively in the area. At the 2021 census, the locality had a population of 1214 people.
Emerald is a rural town and locality in the Central Highlands Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, the locality of Emerald had a population of 14,906 people.
Bogantungan is a rural town in the locality of Willows in the Central Highlands Region, Queensland, Australia.
Central Queensland is an imprecisely-defined geographical division of Queensland that centres on the eastern coast, around the Tropic of Capricorn. Its major regional centre is Rockhampton. The region extends from the Capricorn Coast west to the Central Highlands at Emerald, north to the Mackay Regional Council southern boundary, and south to Gladstone. The region is also known as Capricornia. It is one of Australia's main coal exporting regions.
Anakie Siding is a rural locality in the Central Highlands Region, Queensland, Australia. The town of Anakie is within the locality. It is a sapphire mining area. In 2021 census, the locality of Anakie Siding had a population of 155 people.
Central Highlands Region is a local government area in Queensland, Australia.
Comet is a historically-rich rural town and locality in the Central Highlands Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, the locality of Comet had a population of 498 people.
Dingo is a rural town and locality in the Central Highlands Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, the locality of Dingo had a population of 340 people.
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Argyll is a rural locality in the Central Highlands Region, Queensland, Australia. At the 2021 census, Argyll had a population of 25 people,
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