Shire of Paroo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shire of Paroo Queensland
Location in Queensland
Population	1,679 (2021 census)
• Density	0.035256/km2 (0.09131/sq mi)
Established	1879
Area	47,623 km2 (18,387.3 sq mi)
Mayor	Suzette Catherine Beresford
Council seat	Cunnamulla
State electorate(s)	Warrego
Federal Division(s)	Maranoa
Website	Shire of Paroo
LGAs around Shire of Paroo: Quilpie Murweh Maranoa Bulloo Shire of Paroo Balonne Far West (NSW) Bourke (NSW) Brewarrina (NSW)

The Shire of Paroo is a special area in South West Queensland, Australia. It's like a local government region. The main town and where the local council meets is Cunnamulla.

The Shire of Paroo is quite large, covering about 47,623 square kilometres. That's a huge area! In 2021, about 1,679 people lived here.

Exploring the Paroo Shire

This region includes several towns. These are Cunnamulla, Yowah, Eulo, and Wyandra. Cunnamulla is the biggest town and sits right where two major roads meet: the Balonne and Mitchell Highways.

The name "Cunnamulla" comes from an Aboriginal language. It means "long stretch of water," referring to the Warrego River that flows by the town.

Nature and Landscape

The Paroo Shire has different types of land. In the east, you'll find open grasslands. To the west, there are Yowah opal fields where a special type of opal called the Yowah nut is found. Further west are the Mulga Lands, known for their unique trees.

What People Do Here

The main jobs and activities in the Shire of Paroo are linked to the land. People raise beef cattle, goats, and lambs. They also produce wool.

Another important industry is opal mining, especially in Yowah. Tourism is also growing, as people come to see the unique landscape and learn about the area's history.

Weather in Paroo

The Paroo Shire is in a semi-dry area. This means it doesn't get a lot of rain. In summer, temperatures usually range from 15 to 37 degrees Celsius. In winter, it's cooler, with temperatures from 2 to 25 degrees Celsius.

A Look at Paroo's History

Map showing the Paroo area in 1902

The land of the Paroo Shire has a long history. It is the traditional home of the Gunya (Kunya, Kunja, Kurnja) people. Their language region covers the Paroo Shire, including Cunnamulla, and stretches to nearby towns like Augathella, Bollon, and Thargomindah.

How the Shire Started

The Paroo area first became a local government region on 11 November 1879. It was called the "Paroo Division" back then. About 799 people lived there at the time.

A small part of the Paroo Division was separated on 3 June 1880. This new area became the Bulloo Division. Later, on 31 March 1903, the Paroo Division officially became the Shire of Paroo.

The Shire Hall Story

In 1924, a new building for the Shire Council was being built. But a very strong dust storm hit on 5 February and damaged it! Luckily, they were able to fix and strengthen the building. It finally opened on 6 December 1924.

Many years later, in 2018, people found that the building's foundations had moved, making it unsafe. So, it was taken down in 2019. A brand new civic centre started being built in 2020 and opened on 28 April 2021. This new building is where the local council works today.

Towns and Communities

The Shire of Paroo is made up of several towns and smaller communities. These include:

• Barringun
• Cunnamulla
• Coongoola
• Eulo
• Humeburn
• Tuen
• Wyandra
• Yowah

Local Services and Places

The old Paroo Shire Hall and Council Chambers in Cunnamulla, around 1930

The old Paroo Shire Hall with a statue of the Cunnamulla Fella in front

The main office for the Paroo Shire Council is called the Civic Centre. It's located in Cunnamulla, at the corner of Stockyard Street and Louise Street.

Cunnamulla library in 2019

The Paroo Shire Council also runs public libraries. You can find these libraries in Cunnamulla, Wyandra, and Yowah. They are great places to read and learn!

Population Changes Over Time

The number of people living in the Shire of Paroo has changed over many years. In 1933, there were about 3,505 people. The population grew to over 4,000 in the 1950s. Since then, the number of residents has slowly decreased. In 2021, the population was 1,679 people.

Leaders of Paroo Shire

The Shire of Paroo has had many leaders over the years. These leaders are called Chairmen or Mayors. They help make decisions for the local community.

The current Mayor of the Paroo Shire is Suzette Catherine Beresford. She started her role in 2020.