Shire of Blackall

The Shire of Blackall was a Local Government Area located in central Queensland around the town of Blackall. It covered an area of 16,366.8 square kilometres (6,319.3 sq mi), and existed as a local government entity from 1879 until 2008, when it amalgamated with neighbouring Shire of Tambo to form the Blackall-Tambo Region.

The council consisted of a Mayor and 9 elected councillors. No wards or electoral divisions existed.

The Barcoo River passes through the shire's former area and the dominant industry is sheep and cattle grazing.

History

Kargoolnah Divisional Board was created on 11 November 1879 as one of 74 divisions around Queensland under the Divisional Boards Act 1879, and included the areas of Blackall, Tambo and Barcaldine and parts of Jericho (these areas are now part of the Barcaldine Region). On 20 May 1880, a municipal Borough of Blackall was created to cover the town and its first councillors were elected in July 1880.

With the passage of the Local Authorities Act 1902, Kargoolnah became a shire council on 31 March 1903, while Blackall became a Town. It was abolished on 7 November 1931 and became Division 3 of the Kargoolnah Shire, which had in the meantime shrunk to include only the Blackall region. On 19 November 1932, after representations to the State Government, Kargoolnah was officially renamed Blackall.^[2]

On 15 March 2008, under the Local Government (Reform Implementation) Act 2007 passed by the Parliament of Queensland on 10 August 2007, the Shire of Blackall merged with the Shire of Tambo to form the Blackall-Tambo Region.

Towns and localities

• Blackall

Population

References