Shire of Paroo facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Shire of Paroo
Queensland
Paroo LGA Qld.png
Location in Queensland
Population: 1951
Established: 1879
Area: 47714.5 km² (18,422.7 sq mi)
Mayor: Lindsay Godfrey
Council Seat: Cunnamulla
State District: Warrego
Federal Division: Maranoa
Paroo Shire Council Logo.png
Website: http://www.paroo.qld.gov.au/
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 local government area in South West Queensland, Australia. The administrative centre is the town of Cunnamulla. The Paroo Shire covers an area of 47,714.5 square kilometres (18,422.7 sq mi). At the 2006 census, 1,217 of Paroo's 1,928 residents lived in Cunnamulla.

The dominant industry is grazing. Opal fields are also worked within the shire.

History

Paroo Division, March 1902
Map of Paroo Division and adjacent local government areas, March 1902

Paroo Division was established on 11 November 1879 as one of the original divisions proclaimed under the Divisional Boards Act 1879 with a population of 799.

On 3 June 1880, the western part of the Paroo Division was separated to create the Bulloo Division was established on 3 June 1880.

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

Shire facilities

Paroo Shire Hall and Council Chambers, Cunnamulla, circa 1930
Paroo Shire Hall and Council Chambers, Cunnamulla, circa 1930
Cunnamulla Fella
The current Paroo Shire Hall with statue of the Cunnamulla Fella (from the Stan Coster song famously performed by Slim Dusty) in the foreground

In 1924, the shire was building a new shire hall, but it was wrecked in a violent dust storm on 5 February 1924. However, they were able to straighten and strengthen the building and it was finally opened on 6 December 1924 by the Minister for Public Instruction, Frank Brennan.

The current Paroo Shire Council Civic centre is located on the corner of Stockyard Street and Louise Street, Cunnamulla.

Towns and localities

The Shire of Paroo includes the following settlements:

Population

Year Population
1933 3,505
1947 3,165
1954 4,143
1961 4,099
1966 3,600
1971 3,310
1976 3,021
1981 2,691
1986 2,733
1991 2,733
1996 2,432
2001 2,310
2006 1,928

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Shire of Paroo Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.