Shire of Maroochy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shire of Maroochy Queensland
Location within Queensland
Population	151,599 (2006 census)
• Density	130.385/km2 (337.70/sq mi)
Established	1890
Area	1,162.7 km2 (448.9 sq mi)
Council seat	Nambour
Region	Sunshine Coast
Website	Shire of Maroochy
LGAs around Shire of Maroochy: Cooloola Noosa Pacific Ocean Cooloola Shire of Maroochy Pacific Ocean Kilcoy Caloundra Pacific Ocean

The Shire of Maroochy was a special area in Queensland, Australia. It was like a local government area, meaning it had its own council to manage things for the people living there. This shire was located about 100 kilometers (62 miles) north of Brisbane, in a beautiful part of Queensland called the Sunshine Coast.

The Shire of Maroochy covered a large area of 1162.7 square kilometers (448.9 square miles). It existed as a local government from 1890 until 2008. In 2008, it joined with its nearby areas, the Shire of Noosa and the City of Caloundra, to create the larger Sunshine Coast Region.

A Look Back: History of Maroochy

Map showing the Maroochy Division and nearby areas in March 1902

The name "Maroochy" comes from the local Aboriginal language. In 1842, explorer Andrew Petrie traveled north of Brisbane. He discovered the Mary River with some Aboriginal guides. They called the local black swan "Muru-kutchi," which means "red-bill." Petrie then named the area Maroochy.

The Maroochy area first became part of the Caboolture Divisional Board in 1879. This was a type of early local government. Then, on July 5, 1890, Maroochy became its own separate area, called the Maroochy Division. It covered about 1265 square kilometers (488 square miles). Its main office was in Nambour. The first elections for local leaders happened in September 1890.

In 1903, Maroochy officially became a shire council. This meant it had more power to manage local services. In 1908, land was sold in Maroochydore, which helped new towns like Alexandra Headland and Mooloolaba grow along the coast. The council started providing electricity in 1927, and a hospital opened in 1930. As the region grew, Maroochy Airport (now Sunshine Coast Airport) opened in 1961. The Shire then grew very quickly.

Fires were sometimes a problem in the inland areas. In 1948, a fire badly damaged the Shire's main office building. In 1978, the Shire moved its offices to a new building in Nambour. The old building was later damaged by another fire in 1986 and was eventually removed.

In 2000, there was a security issue involving the Maroochy Shire's wastewater system. Someone gained unauthorized access to the system using a computer and radio.

Finally, on March 15, 2008, the Shire of Maroochy joined with the Shire of Noosa and the City of Caloundra. Together, they formed the new Sunshine Coast Region. This change was part of a plan by the Queensland government to make local governments more efficient.

How Maroochy Was Run

The Shire of Maroochy was divided into 12 sections, called divisions. Each division elected one councillor to represent its people. There was also an elected mayor who was the main leader of the whole Shire.

Towns and Places in Maroochy

The Shire of Maroochy included many towns and smaller areas. Here are some of them:

¹ - shared with the Shire of Noosa
² - shared with the City of Caloundra

Growing Over Time: Population

The population of the Shire of Maroochy grew a lot over the years. Here's how many people lived there at different times:

Leaders of Maroochy

The Shire of Maroochy had different leaders over the years, called Chairmen or Mayors. These people were elected to lead the local government and make decisions for the community.

• 1927: J. T. Lowe
• 1952-1967: David Low
• 1967-1982: Eddie De Vere
• 1982-1985: Don Culley
• 1985-1994: Fred Murray
• 1994-1997: Bob King
• 1997-2000: Don Culley
• 2000-2004: Alison Grosse
• 2004-2008: Joe Natoli

Friends Around the World: Sister Cities

The Shire of Maroochy had "sister city" relationships with two cities in other countries. This means they shared cultural exchanges and friendly ties.

• Tatebayashi, Japan
• Xiamen, China