Middlemount, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids MiddlemountQueensland |
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Middlemount coal mine, 2011
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 Middlemount
Location in Queensland
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| Population | 1,899 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 3.7701/km2 (9.765/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4746 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 503.7 km2 (194.5 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | |||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Isaac Region | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Burdekin | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Capricornia | ||||||||||||||
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Middlemount is a small town in the Isaac Region of Queensland, Australia. It's also known as a "locality," which means it's a specific area or district. In 2021, about 1,899 people lived in Middlemount.
Some local people call Middlemount the "Giant Peanut" because of how its roads are shaped.
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Where is Middlemount?
Middlemount is located in Central Queensland. It's about 242 kilometres (150 miles) inland from cities like Mackay and Rockhampton. The town is a place where both people who live there all the time and workers who are visiting for a short time can find a place to stay. Middlemount is surrounded by several important coal mines. These include Foxleigh, Lake Lindsay, Middlemount Mine, Aquila Mine, German Creek, and the record-holding underground mine called Grasstree.
A Look at Middlemount's Past
Middlemount grew quickly in the early 1980s, just like many other mining towns in Queensland. The Middlemount Post Office first opened its doors on 2 June 1980.
The local school has an interesting history. Middlemount State School started in 1980. A high school section was added in 1983. Then, in 1988, the high school became a separate school called Middlemount State High School. But on 1 January 2001, the primary and high schools joined together again. They became what is now known as Middlemount Community School. The Middlemount Library also opened in 1984, giving people a place to read and learn.
Most of the houses in Middlemount are owned by a company called Anglo Coal. This company also helps to manage some of the town's services. Many of the houses look very similar, with three main styles: L-shaped, square, and high-set homes. Over its 39-year history, around 40,000 workers have been employed in Middlemount's coal mines. This town has played a big part in helping Queensland and Australia grow economically.
Mining in Middlemount
Mining is a very important part of Middlemount's economy. The German Creek coal mine, also known as Capcoal, is run by Anglo Coal. This mine is special because it has the deepest "longwall" coal mine in Queensland. A longwall mine uses a special machine to cut large panels of coal underground. It also has Australia's only "thin-seam" underground coal mine, which uses technology from the United States.
The German Creek mine has several underground mines and two "open cut" mines. Open cut mines are large pits dug from the surface to get coal. Another important mine nearby is the Foxleigh coal mine. This mine used to be a partnership between several big companies. It produces millions of tonnes of coal each year for export to other countries.
What to Do in Middlemount
Middlemount has a small shopping area where you can find many useful things. There's a grocery store for food and a butchery for meat. You can also find an Australia Post Office, a jewellery and gift shop, and a clothing store. For your health needs, there's a medical centre and a chemist. If you're hungry, there's a bakery, a takeaway shop, and a cafe. You can also get your hair cut at the hairdressers or buy newspapers and magazines at the news agency.
Across from the shopping centre is the 'Leisure Centre'. Here, you can find another pizza and takeaway shop, a gym, and another hairdressers. Middlemount also has a pub, a local hall for events, a hotel, a restaurant, and a motel. For fun, there's a skatepark, a public swimming pool, and a country club. The Isaac Regional Council also runs a public library inside the shopping centre.
Learning in Middlemount
Middlemount Community School is the main school in town. It's a government school for both boys and girls. Students can attend from Prep (the first year of school) all the way through to Year 12. In 2015, the school had 373 students. By 2018, there were 247 students. The school also has a special education program for students who need extra support. If there are any high school subjects not taught at the school, students can learn them through distance education. This means they can study from home with help from teachers.
Famous People from Middlemount
Middlemount has been home to some well-known athletes. Two famous former residents are Olympic cyclists Anna Meares and Kerrie Meares. They are sisters who have both competed in the Olympics.
