Shire of Burdekin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shire of Burdekin Queensland
Location within Queensland
Population	16,692 (2021 census)
• Density	3.3093/km2 (8.571/sq mi)
Established	1888
Area	5,044 km2 (1,947.5 sq mi)
Mayor	Lyn McLaughlin
Council seat	Ayr
Region	North Queensland
State electorate(s)	Burdekin
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 special area in North Queensland, Australia. It's like a local government region, meaning it has its own council to manage local services. This area is found between the cities of Townsville and Bowen. It sits in the flat, fertile land near where the Burdekin River flows into the sea.

The Shire of Burdekin covers about 5,044 square kilometers. It has been a local government area since 1888. In 2021, about 16,692 people lived in the Shire of Burdekin.

A Brief History of Burdekin

The land of the Burdekin Shire has a long history. The Yuru people are the traditional owners of this area. Their language, Yuru, is an Aboriginal language spoken across this country. This includes the town of Home Hill.

How the Shire Was Formed

On January 16, 1888, the area was first set up as the Ayr Division. This happened under a law called the Divisional Boards Act 1887. It was created from a part of the Thuringowa Division.

Later, a new law, the Local Authorities Act 1902, changed things. On March 31, 1903, the Ayr Division became the Shire of Ayr.

Changing the Name to Burdekin

Many people in Home Hill wanted the name to change. So, on June 12, 1982, the Shire of Ayr officially became the Shire of Burdekin. This new name recognized the important Burdekin River.

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

How Council Elections Changed

For a long time, council members were chosen from different parts of the shire. But in March 1994, this changed. Now, all residents of the shire vote for all council members.

Also in 1994, the leader's title changed from "Shire Chairman" to "Mayor." The "Shire Clerk" became the "Chief Executive Officer." New council offices were opened on October 9, 1999. They cost $2.8 million to build.

From 2000, elections for the council happened every four years. People voted for a mayor and ten councillors. In 2008, the number of councillors was reduced to six.

Local Facilities

The Burdekin Shire Council Library Services has its main library in Ayr. It is located at 108 Graham Street. The Burdekin Shire also has another public library. This one is in Home Hill at 77-79 Ninth Avenue. Both of these libraries opened in 1984.

Towns and Localities

The Shire of Burdekin includes many towns and smaller areas. Here are some of them:

Population Changes Over Time

The number of people living in the Shire of Burdekin has changed over the years. This table shows how the population has grown and shrunk:

Burdekin Shire Council

The Burdekin Shire Council is the group of people who make decisions for the local area. They are elected by the residents. The council has a Mayor and six councillors. They work together to manage local services like libraries, roads, and parks.

Current Council Members

Here are the people who are currently on the Burdekin Shire Council. They were elected in 2020:

Past Leaders of Burdekin

This table lists the people who have led the Burdekin area over the years. Before 1994, they were called "Chairmen." After that, they were called "Mayors."