Shire of Burdekin
Local government area in Queensland, Australia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Shire of Burdekin is a local government area located in North Queensland, Australia in the Dry Tropics region. The district is located between Townsville and Bowen in the delta of the Burdekin River. The shire covers an area of 5,044 square kilometres (1,947 sq mi).[1] It has existed as a local government entity since 1888. In the 2021 census, the Shire of Burdekin had a population of 16,692 people.[2]
Shire of Burdekin | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Location within Queensland | |||||||||||||
 | |||||||||||||
| Country | Australia | ||||||||||||
| State | Queensland | ||||||||||||
| Region | North Queensland | ||||||||||||
| Established | 1888 | ||||||||||||
| Council seat | Ayr | ||||||||||||
| Government | |||||||||||||
| • Mayor | Pierina Dalle Cort | ||||||||||||
| • State electorate | |||||||||||||
| • Federal divisions | |||||||||||||
| Area | |||||||||||||
• Total | 5,044 km2 (1,947 sq mi) | ||||||||||||
| Population | |||||||||||||
| • Total | 16,692 (2021 census)[2] | ||||||||||||
| • Density | 3.3093/km2 (8.5710/sq mi) | ||||||||||||
| Website | Shire of Burdekin | ||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
History
Yuru (also known as Juru, Euronbba, Juru, Mal Mal, Malmal) is an Australian Aboriginal language spoken on Yuru country. The Yuru language region includes the landscape within the local government boundaries of the Shire of Burdekin, including the town of Home Hill.[3]
On 16 January 1888, the Ayr Division was created out of Subdivision 3 of the Thuringowa Division in 1888 under the Divisional Boards Act 1887.[4]
With the passage of the Local Authorities Act 1902, Ayr Division became the Shire of Ayr on 31 March 1903.[5]
On 12 June 1982, the Shire of Ayr was renamed the Shire of Burdekin, a change long desired by the residents of Home Hill.[5][6]
Council members were elected to represent different divisions within the shire until the election of March 1994 at which all council members are elected by all shire residents. The title of Mayor replaced the former title of Shire Chairman and the title of Shire Clerk was replaced by Chief Executive Officer from that same election.[6]
New shire chambers were opened on 9 October 1999. The cost was $2.8 million.[6]
From 2000, council elections were held every four years to elect a mayor and ten councillors. From 2008, this was reduced to a mayor and six councillors.[6]
Facilities
Towns and localities
The Shire of Burdekin includes the following settlements:
Demographics
| Year | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1933 | 12,073 | [citation needed] |
| 1947 | 12,462 | [citation needed] |
| 1954 | 15,208 | [citation needed] |
| 1961 | 16,758 | [citation needed] |
| 1966 | 18,693 | [citation needed] |
| 1971 | 17,443 | [citation needed] |
| 1976 | 18,421 | [citation needed] |
| 1981 | 18,477 | [citation needed] |
| 1986 | 18,337 | [citation needed] |
| 1991 | 18,148 | [citation needed] |
| 1996 | 18,870 | [citation needed] |
| 2001 census | 18,234 | [10] |
| 2006 census | 17,020 | [11] |
| 2011 census | 17,364 | [12] |
| 2016 census | 17,074 | [13] |
| 2021 census | 16,692 | [2] |
Council
Burdekin Shire Council | |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Leadership | |
Mayor | Pierina Dalle Cort, Independent |
Deputy Mayor | Max Musumeci, Independent |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 7 elected representatives, including a Mayor and 6 councillors |
Political groups |
|
| Elections | |
Last election | 16 March 2024 |
Next election | 25 March 2028 |
Below is the current council, elected in 2024:[14]
| Councillor | Party | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pierina Dalle Cort | Independent | Mayor | |
| Max Musumeci | Independent | Deputy Mayor | |
| Michael Detenon | Independent | ||
| John Furnell | Independent | ||
| Amanda Hall | Independent LNP | ||
| Callan Oar | Independent | ||
| Delfine Vasta | Independent | ||
Chairmen and mayors
| Dates | Chairman / Mayors | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1896 | James Henry Rae | [15] |
| 1888 | Charles Young | [16] |
| 1896 | J. H. Rae | [17] |
| 1927 | Herbert Barsby | [18] |
| 1952–1970 | E.W. Ford | [6] |
| 1970–1976 | R. W. Rossiter | [6] |
| 1976–1982 | F.J. Mills | [6] |
| 1982–1991 | J.W. Trace | [6] |
| 1991–1994 | E.N. Honeycombe | [6] |
| 1994–2004 | John F. Woods | First to use the title "Mayor"[6][19] |
| 2004–2012 | Lynette Angela (Lyn) McLaughlin | [6][20] |
| 2012–2016 | William Charles (Bill) Lowis | [6] |
| 2016–2024 | Lynette Angela (Lyn) McLaughlin | [21][22] |
| 2024-present | Pierina Dalle Cort |
