The Shire of Boulia is a local government area in Central West Queensland, bordering the Northern Territory. Its administrative centre is in the town of Boulia.

Shire of Boulia
Queensland
Location within Queensland
Boulia Shire Hall, 2016
Population458 (2021 census)[1]
 • Density0.007520/km2 (0.019476/sq mi)
Established1887
Area60,906 km2 (23,515.9 sq mi)[2]
MayorRick Britton
Council seatBoulia
RegionCentral West Queensland
State electorate(s)Gregory
Federal division(s)Kennedy
WebsiteShire of Boulia
LGAs around Shire of Boulia:
Barkly (NT) Mount Isa Cloncurry
Barkly (NT) Shire of Boulia Winton
Central Desert (NT) Diamantina Diamantina
Map of Boulia Division and adjacent local government areas, March 1902

It covers an area of 60,906 square kilometres (23,515.9 sq mi), and has existed as a local government entity since 1887. The main industry in the shire is beef production.

The shire is known for the unexplained phenomenon of the Min Min light, a light that has been reported to follow travellers in the area for some distance before disappearing.

On its logo, the Shire has the motto E pluribus unum.

In the 2021 census, the Shire of Boulia had a population of 458 people.[1]

History

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Waluwarra (also known as Warluwarra, Walugara, and Walukara) is an Australian Aboriginal language of Western Queensland. Its traditional language region is the local government area of Shire of Boulia, including Walgra Station and Wolga, from Roxborough Downs north to Carandotta Station and Urandangi on the Georgina River, on Moonah Creek to Rochedale, south-east of Pituri Creek.[3]

 
Boulia Divisional Board Hall, ca. 1900.

The Boulia Division was established on 24 September 1887.

On 31 March 1903, Boulia Division became the Shire of Boulia.

Towns and localities

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The Shire of Boulia includes the following settlements:

Amenities

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Boulia Shire Council operates a public library in Boulia.[4]

The Boulia Shire Hall is in Herbert Street and can be hired for functions.

Demographics

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Year Population Notes
1933 604 [citation needed]
1947 676 [citation needed]
1954 764 [citation needed]
1961 833 [citation needed]
1966 645 [citation needed]
1971 755 [citation needed]
1976 635 [citation needed]
1981 600 [citation needed]
1986 583 [citation needed]
1991 575 [citation needed]
1996 550 [citation needed]
2001 census 640 [5]
2006 census 419 [6]
2011 census 480 [7]
2016 census 426 [8]
2021 census 458 [1]

Chairmen and mayors

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  • 1918: Joseph Richard Coghlan [9]
  • 1927: James Griffith Scholefield [10]
  • 2008–present: Eric Charles (Rick) Britton[11][12][13][14]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Shire of Boulia (LGA)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.  
  2. ^ "3218.0 – Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2017-18: Population Estimates by Local Government Area (ASGS 2018), 2017 to 2018". Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2019. Estimated resident population, 30 June 2018.
  3. ^   This Wikipedia article incorporates CC-BY-4.0 licensed text from: "Waluwarra". Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages map. State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  4. ^ "Boulia Shire Council". Public Libraries Connect. State Library of Queensland. 20 September 2016. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  5. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (9 March 2006). "Shire of Boulia (LGA)". 2001 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 22 June 2024.  
  6. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Shire of Boulia (LGA)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  7. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Shire of Boulia (LGA)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 22 June 2024.  
  8. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Shire of Boulia (LGA)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.  
  9. ^ Consolidated Index to Queensland Government Gazette 1859-1919. Queensland Family History Society. 2004. ISBN 1-876613-79-3.
  10. ^ Pugh, Theophilus Parsons (1927). Pugh's Almanac for 1927. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  11. ^ "2008 Boulia Shire - Mayoral Election - Election Summary". Electoral Commission of Queensland. 31 August 2010. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  12. ^ "2012 Boulia Shire - Mayoral Election - Election Summary". Electoral Commission of Queensland. 28 May 2012. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  13. ^ "2016 Boulia Shire Council - Mayoral Election - Election Summary". Electoral Commission of Queensland. 19 April 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  14. ^ "2020 Local Government Elections: Saturday, 28 March 2020". Electoral Commission of Queensland. 2020. Retrieved 16 June 2020.[dead link]
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22°54′S 139°54′E / 22.900°S 139.900°E / -22.900; 139.900