Longreach Region

Longreach Region Queensland
Location within Queensland
Population	4,344 (2010)[1]
• Density	0.106944/km^2 (0.27698/sq mi)
Established	2008
Area	40,619.5 km^2 (15,683.3 sq mi)
Mayor	John Palmer
Council seat	Longreach
Region	Central West Queensland
State electorate(s)	Gregory
Federal Division(s)	Flynn
Website	Longreach Region
LGAs around Longreach Region: Winton Flinders Barcaldine Winton Longreach Region Barcaldine Barcoo Quilpie Blackall-Tambo

The Longreach Region is a local government area in Central West Queensland, Australia. Established in 2008, it superseded three previous local government areas that had existed for more than a century.

It has an estimated operating budget of A$22.3m.

Traditionally, pastoral activities, tourism, and rural education have been the areas of focus within the region, with a major agricultural college and attractions such as the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame and the Qantas Founders Outback Museum.

History

The Longreach Region began as three separate entities: the Shires of Longreach, Ilfracombe, and Isisford.

In July 2007, the Local Government Reform Commission released its report recommending that the three areas amalgamate. Ilfracombe was rated by a Treasury sustainability review as very weak with a negative outlook, while the other two were rated as moderate. All three councils opposed the amalgamation.^[2] The legislation passed to effect the merger on 10 August 2007. A Local Transition Committee made up of staff and councillors of the three dissolving entities was formed to manage the process. On 15 March 2008, the three Shires formally ceased to exist, and elections were held on the same day to elect councillors and a mayor to the Regional Council.

Wards

The Region has six divisions, each represented by one councillor, with a directly elected mayor serving the whole region.

Towns and localities

• Longreach
• Arrilalah
• Camoola
• Chorregon
• Emmet
• Ernestina
• Ilfracombe
• Isisford
• Maneroo
• Morella
• Tocal
• Vergemont
• Yaraka

Population

The populations given relate to the component entities prior to 2008. The next census, due in 2011, will be the first for the new Region.

Year	Population (Total)	(Longreach)	(Ilfracombe)	(Isisford)
1933	6,079	4,564	642	873
1947	5,244	4,137	450	657
1954	5,694	4,343	544	807
1961	6,533	5,013	653	867
1966	6,366	4,959	660	747
1971	5,142	4,300	389	453
1976	4,911	4,052	428	431
1981	4,911	3,846	460	605
1986	4,663	3,871	327	465
1991	5,153	4,369	344	440
1996	5,054	4,419	333	302
2001	5,037	4,368	356	313
2006	4,806	4,180	279	347

References

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 March 2011). "Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2009–10". Retrieved 11 June 2011.
2. Queensland Local Government Reform Commission (July 2007). Report of the Local Government Reform Commission (PDF) 2. pp. 194–198. ISBN 1-921057-11-4. Retrieved 5 June 2010.