Shire of Eacham
Encyclopedia
The Shire of Eacham was a Local Government Area of Queensland
. It was located on the Atherton Tableland
, a plateau forming part of the Great Dividing Range
west of the city of Cairns
. The shire, administered from the town of Malanda
, covered an area of 1126.4 square kilometres (434.9 sq mi), and existed as a local government entity from 1910 until 2008, when it amalgamated with several other councils in the Tableland area to become the Tablelands Region.
Despite its tropical latitude, the high altitude on the tableland allows a dairy
industry to operate.
On 18 November 1910, the area around Lake Eacham
was incorporated as a new Shire, and its first meeting was held at Yungaburra
's community hall on 22 February 1911. It resolved to site the new Shire office at Malanda
, although Shire offices were not built until 1925.
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 Eacham merged with the Shires of Atherton
, Herberton
and Mareeba to form the Tablelands Region.
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...
. It was located on the Atherton Tableland
Atherton Tableland
The Atherton Tableland is a fertile plateau which is part of the Great Dividing Range in Queensland, Australia. It is located west to south-south-west inland from Cairns, well into the tropics, but its elevated position provides a climate suitable for dairy farming. It has an area of around...
, a plateau forming part of the Great Dividing Range
Great Dividing Range
The Great Dividing Range, or the Eastern Highlands, is Australia's most substantial mountain range and the third longest in the world. The range stretches more than 3,500 km from Dauan Island off the northeastern tip of Queensland, running the entire length of the eastern coastline through...
west of the city of Cairns
Cairns, Queensland
Cairns is a regional city in Far North Queensland, Australia, founded 1876. The city was named after William Wellington Cairns, then-current Governor of Queensland. It was formed to serve miners heading for the Hodgkinson River goldfield, but experienced a decline when an easier route was...
. The shire, administered from the town of Malanda
Malanda, Queensland
Malanda is a medium-sized town on the Atherton Tableland in Far North Queensland, Australia. It is located from Cairns and above sea level. Malanda first developed in the 1880s when the discovery of tin and copper at Herberton saw a steady stream of miners and engineers moving over the mountains...
, covered an area of 1126.4 square kilometres (434.9 sq mi), and existed as a local government entity from 1910 until 2008, when it amalgamated with several other councils in the Tableland area to become the Tablelands Region.
Despite its tropical latitude, the high altitude on the tableland allows a 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...
industry to operate.
History
Tinaroo Divisional Board was created on 3 September 1881 under the Divisional Boards Act 1879, and was responsible for a large area which included Eacham. With the passage of the Local Authorities Act 1902, Tinaroo became a shire council on 31 March 1903.On 18 November 1910, the area around Lake Eacham
Lake Eacham
Lake Eacham: is a popular lake of volcanic origin on the Atherton Tableland of Queensland, Australia, within the World Heritage listed Wet Tropics of Queensland.-Origins:...
was incorporated as a new Shire, and its first meeting was held at Yungaburra
Yungaburra, Queensland
Yungaburra is a town located on the Atherton Tableland in Far North Queensland, Australia, not far from Cairns. At the 2006 census, Yungaburra had a population of 932.-History:...
's community hall on 22 February 1911. It resolved to site the new Shire office at Malanda
Malanda, Queensland
Malanda is a medium-sized town on the Atherton Tableland in Far North Queensland, Australia. It is located from Cairns and above sea level. Malanda first developed in the 1880s when the discovery of tin and copper at Herberton saw a steady stream of miners and engineers moving over the mountains...
, although Shire offices were not built until 1925.
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 Eacham merged with the Shires of Atherton
Shire of Atherton
The Shire of Atherton was a Local Government Area of Queensland. It was located on the Atherton Tableland, a plateau forming part of the Great Dividing Range west of the city of Cairns...
, Herberton
Shire of Herberton
The Shire of Herberton was a Local Government Area of Queensland. It was located on the Atherton Tableland, a plateau forming part of the Great Dividing Range west of the city of Cairns...
and Mareeba to form the Tablelands Region.
Towns and localities
- MalandaMalanda, QueenslandMalanda is a medium-sized town on the Atherton Tableland in Far North Queensland, Australia. It is located from Cairns and above sea level. Malanda first developed in the 1880s when the discovery of tin and copper at Herberton saw a steady stream of miners and engineers moving over the mountains...
- YungaburraYungaburra, QueenslandYungaburra is a town located on the Atherton Tableland in Far North Queensland, Australia, not far from Cairns. At the 2006 census, Yungaburra had a population of 932.-History:...
- Butchers Creek
- Glen Allyn
- Jaggan
- Lake EachamLake EachamLake Eacham: is a popular lake of volcanic origin on the Atherton Tableland of Queensland, Australia, within the World Heritage listed Wet Tropics of Queensland.-Origins:...
- Maalan
- Millaa MillaaMillaa Millaa, QueenslandMillaa Millaa is a small town on the Atherton Tableland in Far North Queensland, Australia with a population of 295. It is located approximately 60 km west of cyclone-stricken Innisfail, north of Ravenshoe, south of Malanda...
- North Johnstone
- Palmerston
- Peeramon
- Tarzali
- Upper Barron (split with AthertonShire of AthertonThe Shire of Atherton was a Local Government Area of Queensland. It was located on the Atherton Tableland, a plateau forming part of the Great Dividing Range west of the city of Cairns...
)
Population
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1933 | 4,324 |
| 1947 | 3,740 |
| 1954 | 3,771 |
| 1961 | 3,842 |
| 1966 | 3,598 |
| 1971 | 3,327 |
| 1976 | 3,433 |
| 1981 | 4,137 |
| 1986 | 5,135 |
| 1991 | 5,609 |
| 1996 | 6,074 |
| 2001 | 6,076 |
| 2006 | 6,359 |