Causeway Lake, Queensland

Causeway Lake is a coastal locality on the Capricorn Coast in the Livingstone Shire, Queensland, Australia.[2] In the 2016 census, Causeway Lake had a population of 121 people.[1]

Causeway Lake
Queensland
Causeway Lake crossing, 2014
Causeway Lake is located in Queensland
Causeway Lake
Causeway Lake
Coordinates23°11′58″S 150°47′46″E / 23.1994°S 150.7961°E / -23.1994; 150.7961 (Causeway Lake (centre of locality))
Population121 (2016 census)[1]
 • Density11.86/km2 (30.72/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4703
Area10.2 km2 (3.9 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s)Shire of Livingstone
State electorate(s)Keppel
Federal division(s)Capricornia
Suburbs around Causeway Lake:
Taroomball Rosslyn Mulambin
Tanby Causeway Lake Coral Sea
Tanby Tanby Kinka Beach

Geography edit

 
Looking along Mulambin Beach with Causeway lake in the background, 2009

The locality takes its name from the lake of the same name which lies within the locality, both of which take their name from the causeway (and smallbridge) which allows the Scenic Highway to cross the lake's narrow entrance to the Coral Sea.[3]

There is very little development within the locality except for a small residential area on the north-eastern shore of the lake where there is also public parkland access to the lake for recreation. Apart from that, most of the locality is undeveloped being taken up with the lakes and the associated palustrine wetland surrounding the numerous creeks which flow into the lake.[3]

The northern mouth of the lake is part of the Capricorn Coast National Park. The southern part of the locality is within the Causeway Lake Conservation Park.[3]

History edit

The Scenic Highway crossing over Causeway Lake was constructed in 1939, allowing motorists to travel between Yeppoon and Emu Park.[4]

After a near-drowning of an 8-year-old girl at Causeway Lake in June 1951, Livingstone Shire Council erected warning signs the following month advising of the potential dangers associated with the lake.[5][6]

A 15-year-old boy drowned in the lake in January 1952 after his clothes became entangled in the propeller shaft of the outboard motor aboard his boat.[7]

A five-year-old boy drowned in the lake in February 1954.[8] After noticing him disappear, a 15-year-old girl retrieved him from the water prior to an honorary ambulance officer attempting resuscitation without success.[8]

Despite it having been a much-discussed topic in the local community, the issue of potentially dredging Causeway Lake remains an ongoing concern for local residents, recreational users of the lake and environmental agencies.[9][10][11]

 
Causeway Lake Shop (formerly Causeway Lake Kiosk), 2022

A local fish and chip shop which fronts the lake, the Causeway Lake Kiosk, received some publicity in 2017 following a visit by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson who worked in the shop for a day, in an attempt to bring attention to the issue of high electricity prices.[12][13] Hanson denied it was a ploy to win votes prior to the state election.[13]

A house fire which occurred in August 2018 caused structural damage to the neighbouring Causeway Lake Kiosk.[14] However, the business re-opened the following day and began accepting donations for the family whose home was destroyed by the fire.[14]

In the 2016 census, Causeway Lake had a population of 121 people.[1]

Education edit

There are no schools in Causeway Lake. The nearest government primary school is Taranganba State School in Taranganba to the north. The nearest government secondary school is Yeppoon State High School in Yeppoon to the north.[3]

Amenities edit

 
Watersports on the lake, 2009

The lake is popular for fishing and watersports. There are picnic and barbeque facilities, as well as a shop.[15]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Causeway Lake (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.  
  2. ^ "Causeway Lake – locality in Livingstone Shire (entry 48566)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  4. ^ "Yeppoon, Emu Park linked by coastal road: causeway now across Shoal Creek". The Morning Bulletin. 21 November 1939. Archived from the original on 27 July 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  5. ^ "Timely rescue of girl". The Morning Bulletin. 13 June 1951. Archived from the original on 27 July 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  6. ^ "Warning notice at Causeway". The Morning Bulletin. 4 July 1951. Archived from the original on 27 July 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  7. ^ "Youth drowned near causeway". The Morning Bulletin. 14 January 1952. Archived from the original on 27 July 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Boy drowned at causeway". The Morning Bulletin. 15 February 1954. Archived from the original on 27 July 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  9. ^ Watts, Nikita (30 June 2010). "Causeway is on verge of disaster". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  10. ^ "Major Causeway Lake dredging given green light". The Morning Bulletin. 21 July 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  11. ^ Jarrett, Vanessa (13 April 2021). "Livingstone Shire Council announces $300,000 study for dredging Causeway Lake". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  12. ^ Gately, Michelle (2 July 2017). "Pauline Hanson helps business owner struggling with power bills". The Sunday Mail. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  13. ^ a b "Bigger fish to fry? Hanson takes time out to lend a hand to struggling Queensland takeaway shop". A Current Affair. 3 July 2017. Archived from the original on 5 August 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  14. ^ a b McCosker, Maddelin (21 August 2018). "Business as usual for fire damaged business". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  15. ^ "Causeway Lake". Yeppoon, Capricorn Coast. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.

External links edit

  Media related to Causeway Lake, Queensland at Wikimedia Commons