Shire of Biggenden
Encyclopedia
The Shire of Biggenden was a Local Government Area located in the northern catchment of the Burnett River
, Queensland
, Australia
, 100 kilometres (62 mi) south-southwest of the regional city of Bundaberg
. The shire covered an area of 1314.5 square kilometres (507.5 sq mi), and existed as a local government area from 1905 until 2008, when it amalgamated with several other shires to become the North Burnett Region.
Primary production is the most significant industry in the region with beef
and dairy
cattle
being predominant. Other agricultural pursuits include grain crops, pig
geries, peanut
s, citrus
and timber
. The area is also rich in minerals. Biggenden Mine is located 8 kilometres (5 mi) from Biggenden along the Isis Highway
. Gold
, bismuth
and more recently magnetite
have been extracted from the mine.
The biggest landmarks in the region are Mount Walsh
, which can be seen prominently over much of the shire and Paradise Dam, a large reservoir
formed by the damming of the Burnett River
.
Division. On 3 June 1905, Biggenden was separately incorporated under the Degilbo Shire. It was renamed Biggenden on 12 July 1941.
On 15 March 2008, under the Local Government (Reform Implementation) Act 2007 passed by the Parliament of Queensland
on 10 August 2007, the Shire of Biggenden merged with the Shires of Eidsvold
, Gayndah
, Monto
, Mundubbera
and Perry to form the North Burnett Region.
Burnett River
The Burnett River is a river in central Queensland, Australia that empties into the Pacific Ocean near the city of Bundaberg. The Burnett River region is largely given over to growing sugar cane....
, Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, 100 kilometres (62 mi) south-southwest of the regional city of Bundaberg
Bundaberg, Queensland
Bundaberg is a city in Queensland, Australia. It is part of the Local Government Area of the Bundaberg Region and is a major centre within Queensland's broader Wide Bay-Burnett geographical region...
. The shire covered an area of 1314.5 square kilometres (507.5 sq mi), and existed as a local government area from 1905 until 2008, when it amalgamated with several other shires to become the North Burnett Region.
Primary production is the most significant industry in the region with beef
Beef
Beef is the culinary name for meat from bovines, especially domestic cattle. Beef can be harvested from cows, bulls, heifers or steers. It is one of the principal meats used in the cuisine of the Middle East , Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Europe and the United States, and is also important in...
and dairy
Dairy
A dairy is a business enterprise established for the harvesting of animal milk—mostly from cows or goats, but also from buffalo, sheep, horses or camels —for human consumption. A dairy is typically located on a dedicated dairy farm or section of a multi-purpose farm that is concerned...
cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
being predominant. Other agricultural pursuits include grain crops, pig
Pig
A pig is any of the animals in the genus Sus, within the Suidae family of even-toed ungulates. Pigs include the domestic pig, its ancestor the wild boar, and several other wild relatives...
geries, peanut
Peanut
The peanut, or groundnut , is a species in the legume or "bean" family , so it is not a nut. The peanut was probably first cultivated in the valleys of Peru. It is an annual herbaceous plant growing tall...
s, citrus
Citrus
Citrus is a common term and genus of flowering plants in the rue family, Rutaceae. Citrus is believed to have originated in the part of Southeast Asia bordered by Northeastern India, Myanmar and the Yunnan province of China...
and timber
Timber
Timber may refer to:* Timber, a term common in the United Kingdom and Australia for wood materials * Timber, Oregon, an unincorporated community in the U.S...
. The area is also rich in minerals. Biggenden Mine is located 8 kilometres (5 mi) from Biggenden along the Isis Highway
Isis Highway
The Isis Highway is a state highway in southern Queensland, Australia. The highway is relatively short, and runs for 142 kilometres in a north-east direction from its junction with the Burnett Highway at Ban Ban Springs to Bundaberg...
. Gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
, bismuth
Bismuth
Bismuth is a chemical element with symbol Bi and atomic number 83. Bismuth, a trivalent poor metal, chemically resembles arsenic and antimony. Elemental bismuth may occur naturally uncombined, although its sulfide and oxide form important commercial ores. The free element is 86% as dense as lead...
and more recently magnetite
Magnetite
Magnetite is a ferrimagnetic mineral with chemical formula Fe3O4, one of several iron oxides and a member of the spinel group. The chemical IUPAC name is iron oxide and the common chemical name is ferrous-ferric oxide. The formula for magnetite may also be written as FeO·Fe2O3, which is one part...
have been extracted from the mine.
The biggest landmarks in the region are Mount Walsh
Mount Walsh National Park
Mount Walsh is a national park in Queensland, Australia, 230 km northwest of Brisbane.A prominent landmark in the Biggenden region is the granite bluff area of Mount Walsh which rises to 703 m above sea leven in the northern part of park. The summit has three peaks...
, which can be seen prominently over much of the shire and Paradise Dam, a large reservoir
Reservoir
A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...
formed by the damming of the Burnett River
Burnett River
The Burnett River is a river in central Queensland, Australia that empties into the Pacific Ocean near the city of Bundaberg. The Burnett River region is largely given over to growing sugar cane....
.
History
Biggenden was originally part of the BurrumCity of Hervey Bay
The City of Hervey Bay was a Local Government Area located in the Wide Bay-Burnett region of Queensland, Australia, containing the urban centre of Hervey Bay as well as the northern half of Fraser Island...
Division. On 3 June 1905, Biggenden was separately incorporated under the Degilbo Shire. It was renamed Biggenden on 12 July 1941.
On 15 March 2008, under the Local Government (Reform Implementation) Act 2007 passed by the Parliament of Queensland
Parliament of Queensland
The Parliament of Queensland is the legislature of Queensland, Australia. According to the state's constitution, the Parliament consists of the Queen and the Legislative Assembly. It is the only unicameral state parliament in the country, the upper chamber, the Legislative Council, having been...
on 10 August 2007, the Shire of Biggenden merged with the Shires of Eidsvold
Shire of Eidsvold
The Shire of Eidsvold was a Local Government Area located in the northern catchment of the Burnett River, Queensland, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed as a local government area from 1890 until 2008, when it amalgamated with several other shires to form the North Burnett...
, Gayndah
Shire of Gayndah
The Shire of Gayndah was a Local Government Area located in the northern catchment of the Burnett River, Queensland, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed as a local government area from 1866 until 2008, when it amalgamated with several other shires to form the North Burnett...
, Monto
Shire of Monto
The Shire of Monto was a Local Government Area located in the northern catchment of the Burnett River, Queensland, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed as a local government area from 1932 until 2008, when it amalgamated with several other shires to form the North Burnett...
, Mundubbera
Shire of Mundubbera
The Shire of Mundubbera was a Local Government Area located in the northern catchment of the Burnett River, Queensland, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed as a local government area from 1915 until 2008, when it amalgamated with several other shires to form the North Burnett...
and Perry to form the North Burnett Region.
Towns and localities
- BiggendenBiggenden, QueenslandBiggenden is a town situated on the Isis Highway in southern Queensland, Australia, 339 km north-west of the state capital Brisbane, and 84 km west of Maryborough. At the 2006 census, Biggenden had a population of 644....
- Coalstoun Lakes
- Dallarnil
- Didcot
- Degilbo
Population
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1933 | 2,476 |
| 1947 | 2,179 |
| 1954 | 1,974 |
| 1961 | 1,882 |
| 1966 | 1,722 |
| 1971 | 1,639 |
| 1976 | 1,532 |
| 1981 | 1,411 |
| 1986 | 1,553 |
| 1991 | 1,574 |
| 1996 | 1,570 |
| 2001 | 1,486 |
| 2006 | 1,506 |