Brigalow, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BrigalowQueensland |
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Brigalow General Store
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 Brigalow
Location in Queensland
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| Population | 181 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 0.6608/km2 (1.711/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4412 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 273.9 km2 (105.8 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Western Downs Region | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Callide | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Maranoa | ||||||||||||||
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Brigalow is a small country town in Queensland, Australia. It is located in the Western Downs Region. In 2021, about 181 people lived in the area of Brigalow.
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Where is Brigalow?
Brigalow is found in an area called the Darling Downs. The main part of the town is in the north-west of the wider Brigalow area.
The Condamine River flows through the area. It enters from the south-east and leaves towards the north-west.
A major road, the Warrego Highway, also passes through Brigalow. It runs alongside the Western railway line. There are two railway stations in the area:
- Ehlma railway station, which is no longer used.
- Brigalow railway station, which serves the town.
Most of the land in Brigalow is used for farming. In the north, farmers grow crops like wheat, barley, and cotton. In the south, the land is used for grazing animals.
Brigalow's Story
In 1859, a small settlement called Campbell's Camp started near the Condamine River. This spot was important because bullock teams could cross the river there. The Queensland Government sold land in the area in 1862.
Many schools opened and closed in the Brigalow area over the years.
- Mulga Provisional School opened in 1896. It became Mulga State School in 1909. It closed for good in 1943.
- Brigalow Provisional School opened in 1908 and became Brigalow State School in 1910.
- Ehlma State School opened in 1913 and closed in 1965.
- Blackwood Provisional School opened in 1915. It later reopened as Belah State School in 1932 and closed in 1962.
- Noola State School opened in 1923. It was renamed Noola Plains State School around 1957 and closed around 1961.
The Brigalow Post Office opened around 1912 and closed in 1993. The first wedding in the Brigalow Methodist Church happened in 1923.
How Many People Live Here?
The number of people living in Brigalow has changed over time.
- In 2006, about 457 people lived in Brigalow and the surrounding area.
- By 2016, the population was about 170 people.
- In 2021, the population grew slightly to 181 people.
What Does Brigalow Do?
Brigalow's economy is mainly about energy and farming.
Power and Mining
The Kogan Creek Power Station is in the south-west of Brigalow. It's a huge power plant that uses coal to make electricity. It's one of the largest single power units in Australia. Building started in 2004 and it opened in 2007.
Next to the power station is the Kogan Creek coal mine. This is an open-cut mine that digs up coal from the ground. It provides about 2.5 million tonnes of coal to the power station each year.
Farming and Gas
Some areas in Brigalow are also used for extracting coal seam gas. This is a type of natural gas found in coal beds. There have been discussions about how this might affect underground water used for farming.
Many farms, called homesteads, are located throughout the Brigalow area. These farms are important for the local economy.
Learning in Brigalow
Brigalow State School is a primary school for students from Prep to Year 6. It's a government school for both boys and girls. In 2018, the school had 52 students.
There isn't a high school in Brigalow itself. Older students usually go to high schools in nearby towns like Chinchilla or Jandowae.
Places to Visit
The Brigalow Public Hall is a community building located on the Warrego Highway. It's a place where local events and gatherings can be held.
Brigalow used to have three churches, but they have all closed down. The last one to close was the Brigalow Uniting Church.
