Yabulu, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids YabuluTownsville, Queensland |
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QR loco 1556 and a 1720 class haul the Sunlander northbound through Yabulu, circa 1991
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 Yabulu
Location in Queensland
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| Population | 719 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 20.31/km2 (52.6/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4818 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 35.4 km2 (13.7 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | |||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | City of Townsville | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Thuringowa | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Herbert | ||||||||||||||
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Yabulu is a town and coastal area located in the City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. It's a place where about 719 people lived in 2021.
Contents
Exploring Yabulu's Location
Yabulu is about 25 kilometers (15 miles) north of Townsville, Queensland.
Natural Borders and Waterways
The area is bordered by Halifax Bay to the north-east. This bay is part of the Coral Sea. Alick Creek is to the south-east, and Althaus Creek is to the south-west, west, and north-west. Althaus Creek also flows into Halifax Bay.
Roads and Railways
The Bruce Highway runs through Yabulu. This important road connects many places in Queensland.
There are also two railway lines here:
- The North Coast railway line is still in use.
- The Greenvale railway line is now closed.
Yabulu has a few railway stations on the North Coast line:
- Purono railway station
- Yabulu railway station
- Cobarra railway station (near the nickel refinery)
Mount Saunders
In the middle of Yabulu, you'll find Mount Saunders. It's a small mountain that stands 92 meters (302 feet) above sea level.
Yabulu's History
Yabulu is located on the traditional lands of the Wulgurukaba Aboriginal people. The nearby Nyawigi Aboriginal country is also close by.
How Yabulu Got Its Name
The town gets its name from the Yabulu railway station. The word Yabulu comes from an Aboriginal language and means grass.
The Nickel Refinery and Railway
In the 1970s, a special railway line was built. It connected Greenvale, where nickel ore was mined, to Yabulu. This ore was then processed at a large nickel refinery in Yabulu.
People Living in Yabulu
In 2016, Yabulu had 697 residents. Most people (78.1%) were born in Australia. Also, 86.4% of people spoke only English at home. The main religions were Catholic, No Religion, and Anglican.
By 2021, the population of Yabulu had grown slightly to 719 people.
The Palmer Nickel and Cobalt Refinery
Yabulu is home to a big factory called the Palmer Nickel and Cobalt Refinery. This factory is owned by a company called Queensland Nickel, which belongs to Clive Palmer.
How the Refinery Started
The Yabulu refinery started working in 1974. It processed nickel ore that came from the Greenvale mine by train. Mining at Greenvale stopped in 1992, and the refinery processed that ore until 1993. Since 1986, the refinery has been importing ore from other countries like New Caledonia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Production and Challenges
In 2009, Clive Palmer bought the refinery. The next year, the factory made 30% more nickel and cobalt. At its busiest, about 750 people worked there. The refinery could produce 32,000 tonnes (70.5 million pounds) of nickel and 19,000 tonnes (41.9 million pounds) of cobalt each year.
However, the refinery faced problems. In 2016, 237 workers lost their jobs. This was partly because nickel prices were very low. The refinery later went into a process called "voluntary administration," which is when a company gets help to manage its money problems. There were hopes that the refinery would open again in late 2018 or 2019.
Fun Things to Do in Yabulu
If you're looking for a place to stay or visit, the Bluewater Caravan Park is located on the Bruce Highway.
Purono Park: A Nearby Community
Purono Park is a small living area located between Yabulu and Bluewater. It's about 25 kilometers (15 miles) north of the main Townsville area.
Community Facilities
Purono Park has a couple of important community places:
- The Bluewater Medical Practice, for health care.
- The Bluewater Caravan Park, which is also mentioned as an attraction in Yabulu.
