Shire of Burdekin facts for kids

"Burdekin" redirects here. For the Queensland electoral division, see Electoral district of Burdekin.

Quick facts for kids Shire of Burdekin Queensland
Location within Queensland
Population	18,531 (2010)
• Density	3.66769/km2 (9.4993/sq mi)
Established	1888
Area	5,052.5 km2 (1,950.8 sq mi)
Mayor	Lyn McLaughlin
Council seat	Ayr
Region	North Queensland
Federal Division(s)	Dawson, Kennedy
Website	Shire of Burdekin
LGAs around Shire of Burdekin: City of Townsville Coral Sea Coral Sea City of Townsville Shire of Burdekin Coral Sea Charters Towers Charters Towers Whitsunday

The Shire of Burdekin is a local government area located in North Queensland, Australia in the Dry Tropics region. The district is located between Townsville and Bowen in the delta of the Burdekin River.

It covers an area of 5,052.5 square kilometres (1,950.8 sq mi), and has existed as a local government entity since 1888.

History

Map of Ayr Division and its adjacent local government areas, March 1902

On 16 January 1888, the Ayr Division was created out of Subdivision 3 of the Thuringowa Division in 1888 under the Divisional Boards Act 1887.

With the passage of the Local Authorities Act 1902, Ayr Division became the Shire of Ayr on 31 March 1903.

On 12 June 1982, the Shire of Ayr was renamed the Shire of Burdekin, a change long desired by the residents of Home Hill.

Council members were elected to represent different divisions within the shire until the election of March 1994 at which all council members are elected by all shire residents. The title of Mayor replaced the former title of Shire Chairman and the title of Shire Clerk was replaced by Chief Executive Officer from that same election.

New shire chambers were opened on 9 October 1999. The cost was $2.8 million.

From 2000, council elections were held every four years to elect a mayor and ten councillors. From 2008, this was reduced to a mayor and six councillors.

Towns and localities

The Shire of Burdekin includes the following settlements:

• Ayr
• Airdmillan
• Airville
• Alva
• Barratta
• Brandon
• Carstairs
• Clare
• Colevale
• Cromarty
• Dalbeg
• Fredericksfield
• Giru
• Home Hill
• Horseshoe Lagoon

• Inkerman
• Jarvisfield
• Kalamia
• Maidavale
• Majors Creek
• McDesme
• Millaroo
• Osborne
• Parkside
• Rangemore
• Rita Island
• Shirbourne
• Wangaratta
• Wunjunga

Population

Year	Population
1933	12,073
1947	12,462
1954	15,208
1961	16,758
1966	18,693
1971	17,443
1976	18,421
1981	18,477
1986	18,337
1991	18,148
1996	18,870
2001	18,234
2006	17,297