Biloela

Biloela
Queensland

The Silo, Biloela
Biloela
Coordinates 24°25′0″S 150°30′0″E / 24.41667°S 150.50000°ECoordinates: 24°25′0″S 150°30′0″E / 24.41667°S 150.50000°E
Population 5,808 (2011 census)[1]
Established 1924
Postcode(s) 4715
Elevation 175.0 m (574 ft)
Location
  • 142 km (88 mi) from Rockhampton
  • 549 km (341 mi) from Brisbane
LGA(s) Banana Shire Council
State electorate(s) Callide
Federal Division(s) Flynn
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
29.0 °C
84 °F		 13.2 °C
56 °F		 667.6 mm
26.3 in
Localities around Biloela:
Dakenba Dakenba Valentine Plains
Prospect Biloela Valentine Plains
Prospect Prospect Valentine Plains

Biloela (/bɪləˈwiːlə/ bil-ə-WEE-lə)[2] is a rural town and locality in Shire of Banana, Central Queensland, Australia.[3][4] It is situated 120 kilometres (75 mi) inland from the port city of Gladstone at the junction of the Burnett and Dawson highways. At the 2011 census, Biloela had a population of 5,808.[1] Biloela is the administrative centre of Banana Shire, which has an area of 15,729 square kilometres (6,073 sq mi).

Etymology

The name Biloela is generally believed to be Aboriginal word (possibly from the Sydney area) for black or white cockatoo.[3][4] The Government dockyards in Sydney were known as Biloela during 1870–1913 in an endeavour to remove the perceived stigma of the prior Cockatoo Island convict establishment.[5][6][7]

History

The town was gazetted in 1924; it was on the Rannes-Monto railway line.[8] Land sales were held in Rannes in December 1924.[9]

Biloela Post Office opened by January 1925[10] and Biloela State School opened on 22 June 1925.[11]

The first open-cut mine was established in 1942.

In 1963, work began on the Callide Power Station.

The Biloela State High School opened on 29 January 1963.[11]

Heritage listings

Biloela has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

Climate

Biloela has a warm subtropical climate, with hot to warm temperatures all year round. Winter nights can occasionally drop below freezing, however winters are usually warm and dry, with pleasant sunny days. Summers are hot and humid, with most rain falling with occasional thunderstorms. Record temperatures have ranged from 43.1 °C (109.6 °F) to −4.7 °C (23.5 °F). The wettest 24-hour rainfall was 199.6 millimetres (7.86 in) on 31 January 1978.


Climate data for Biloela
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 43.1
(109.6)		 41.0
(105.8)		 42.4
(108.3)		 36.1
(97)		 35.0
(95)		 30.2
(86.4)		 30.1
(86.2)		 34.5
(94.1)		 35.4
(95.7)		 38.0
(100.4)		 39.8
(103.6)		 41.4
(106.5)		 43.1
(109.6)
Average high °C (°F) 33.6
(92.5)		 32.7
(90.9)		 32.1
(89.8)		 29.7
(85.5)		 26.3
(79.3)		 23.4
(74.1)		 23.1
(73.6)		 24.9
(76.8)		 28.0
(82.4)		 30.2
(86.4)		 31.7
(89.1)		 32.9
(91.2)		 29.0
(84.2)
Average low °C (°F) 19.7
(67.5)		 19.8
(67.6)		 17.7
(63.9)		 14.1
(57.4)		 9.8
(49.6)		 6.9
(44.4)		 5.5
(41.9)		 6.4
(43.5)		 9.9
(49.8)		 13.4
(56.1)		 16.3
(61.3)		 18.7
(65.7)		 13.2
(55.8)
Record low °C (°F) 12.3
(54.1)		 12.3
(54.1)		 9.2
(48.6)		 0.8
(33.4)		 −1.4
(29.5)		 −2.8
(27)		 −4.7
(23.5)		 −3.3
(26.1)		 −0.7
(30.7)		 2.6
(36.7)		 4.9
(40.8)		 8.7
(47.7)		 −4.7
(23.5)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 98.6
(3.882)		 97.8
(3.85)		 61.2
(2.409)		 34.9
(1.374)		 39.8
(1.567)		 32.7
(1.287)		 28.6
(1.126)		 23.5
(0.925)		 25.3
(0.996)		 57.0
(2.244)		 74.5
(2.933)		 93.7
(3.689)		 667.6
(26.282)
Avg. rainy days (≥ 0.2mm) 7.8 7.5 5.8 4.1 4.0 3.5 3.6 3.2 3.1 5.7 6.5 7.4 62.2
Source: Bureau of Meteorology[14]

Industry

Biloela and the Banana Shire, dubbed by the council as 'The Shire of Opportunity', has a diverse range of industries.[15] Extensive grazing and cropping concerns are found in the area. Cotton, sorghum and wheat are grown in the area. The Callide Power Stations lie just north of the town. Coal was discovered on Callide Creek in 1891[16] and is now mined at the nearby Callide[17] and Boundary Hill mines which supply the power station. The third largest abattoir in Queensland is situated in the town.[18]

Callide is an open-cut mining operation providing low sulphur, sub-bituminous thermal coal primarily for Queensland's domestic power generation.

Callide Dam

The closest fresh water depository is the Callide Dam, however it is often well below capacity due to low rainfall in the area. Despite this, the dam acts as a popular site for water skiing, camping, swimming and fishing. In particular, the dam is a haven for Eel-tailed catfish, Yellowbelly, Saratoga and Barramundi. The largest ever Barramundi recorded was at the 2008 Callide Dam fishing competition, measuring 138 centimetres (54 in).

The Callide Dam was constructed in 1965 to supply water for a nearby power station in Biloela in the state of Queensland, Australia. Callide Dam holds 136,300 megalitres (3.60×1010 US gal) at an average depth of 10.5 metres (34 ft) and a surface area of 1,240 hectares (3,100 acres) at full capacity. The dam supplies water to the Callide Power Station.

Schools

Biloela has two primary schools: St Joseph's Catholic Primary (private), and Biloela State School. It has a private school college, Redeemer Lutheran College, and it has one state high school (Biloela State High School).

Facilities

Ambulance station, 2014

The Banana Shire Council has its shire chambers at 62 Valentine Plains Road.[19] There is an ambulance station at 32 Kariboe Street (24°24′10″S 150°30′51″E / 24.402724°S 150.514181°E).[20]

Tourism

The town has various sites for tourist accommodation (400 beds), many dining options, two main shopping streets, including a modern air-conditioned shopping centre with many speciality stores.

There are many destinations which are great to visit as a family or individually including Kroombit Tops, The Mine and Power Station lookout, the Callide Dam, the Silo and the Lions Park. Standing above surrounding farmlands the sandstone escarpments, gorges, creeks and waterfalls of Kroombit Tops provide a cool retreat. Explore intriguing natural and cultural wonders hidden among a mosaic of woodlands, rainforests and scrublands.

Events

Biloela holds an annual Rockfest (music festival) in March.[21]

Also in March, the Callide Dam also plays host to the annual Callide Dam Fishing Competition in which a number of introduced stock are caught.[21]

In April, Rotary holds its annual Ute muster.[21]

The Callide Valley Show including the Callide Valley Ball and the Rodeo are held each May.[21]

The Callide Dawson Machinery Preservation Club holds an annual Old Wheels in Motion Rally in July.<r<ref>"Old Wheels in Motion Rally". Callide Dawson Machinery Preservation Club. Retrieved 8 June 2014.</ref> ef name=annual/>

November has a number of annual events: the Arts and Crafts Day, the Brigalow Arts Festival and the Biloela Festival.[21]

Sports

Various sporting organisations are active within the community, such as Panthers Rugby League Club, Biloela Rugby Union Club, Biloela Touch Football Association, Callide Valley Tennis Association, Biloela Netball Association, Biloela Golf Club, Biloela Cricket Association, Biloela Valley's Football Club (soccer), Biloela Swimming Club, Biloela Dirt Rider Club and the Biloela Police Citizens Youth Club.

Radio

Zinc927 (previously known as 4CC) owned by Prime Radio, is an AM commercial station servicing Biloela on the local 666 AM frequency, although its local breakfast show is presented from the Zinc studio in Gladstone. Zinc has a classic rock format and also relies heavily on networked programming from their Sunshine Coast studios.

Rebel FM 88.9 (MHz) was Banana Shires first commercial FM radio station. Rebel FM has a new rock & classic rock music format. The Breeze broadcasts on 89.7 FM (MHz) with an easy adult contemporary & classics hits format. Both stations are part of the Rebel Media group.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Biloela (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  2. ↑ Macquarie Dictionary, Fourth Edition (2005). Melbourne, The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd. ISBN 1-876429-14-3
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Biloela (entry 2623)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Biloela (entry 40422)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  5. ↑ "THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.". The Sydney Morning Herald (National Library of Australia). 27 May 1871. p. 7. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  6. ↑ "THE FORTHCOMING AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY'S SHOW.". The Empire (Sydney: National Library of Australia). 3 June 1871. p. 2. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  7. ↑ "MELBOURNE.". Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney: National Library of Australia). 3 June 1871. p. 8. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  8. ↑ "Biloela". Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media). 8 February 2004. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  9. ↑ "ROCKHAMPTON.". The Brisbane Courier (National Library of Australia). 26 December 1924. p. 7. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  10. ↑ Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  12. ↑ "Greycliffe Homestead (entry 14792)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
  13. ↑ "http://www.magsq.com.au/01_cms/details.asp?ID=657". Museum and Gallery Services Queensland. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  14. ↑ "THANGOOL AIRPORT". Climate statistics for Australian locations. Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved July 2013.
  15. ↑ "Mayor's Message". Banana Shire Council. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  16. ↑ The Callide Coalfields Branch Railway Kerr, J.D. Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, October 1978 pp210-222
  17. ↑ Biloela – Railhead for the Callide Milne, Rod Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, October 1992 pp241-247
  18. ↑ "Introducing Banana Shire". Banana Shire. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  19. ↑ "Contact Us". Banana Shire Council. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  20. ↑ "Queensland Ambulance Service – Biloela". My Community Directory. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 "Simple Pleasures: Banana Shire" (PDF). The Gladstone Region. Tourism Queensland. p. 3. Retrieved 8 June 2014.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Biloela.