Longreach Region


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 Established in 2008, it superseded three previous local government areas that had existed for more than a century.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

Longreach Region lay on the traditional tribal lands of the Iningai. Iningai is an Australian Aboriginal language spoken by the Iningai people. The Iningai language region includes the landscape within the local government boundaries of the Longreach Region, particularly the towns of Longreach, Barcaldine, Muttaburra and Aramac as well as the properties of Bowen Downs and catchments of Cornish Creek and Alice River.
Kuungkari is a language of Western Queensland. The Kuungkari language region includes the landscape within the local government boundaries of Longreach Shire Council and Blackall-Tambo Shire Council.
Prior to the 2008 amalgamation, the Longreach Region existed as three distinct local government areas:
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. 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.
In January 2019, it was decided to reduce the number of localities within Longreach Region by amalgamating the localities to the north and west of the town of Longreach into the locality of Longreach. The localities amalgamated were: Camoola, Chorregon, Ernestina, Maneroo, Morella, Tocal, and Vergemont. As a consequence of this amalgamation, the Longreach Region has only three localities: Longreach, Ilframcombe and Isisford.

Mayors

Councillors

The council members elected in 2020 were:
PositionPerson
MayorAnthony Rayner
CouncillorDale Bignell
CouncillorTony Emslie
CouncillorTracy Hatch
CouncillorTony Martin
CouncillorLeonie Nunn
CouncillorTrevor Smith

The council members elected in 2016 were:
PositionPerson
MayorEd Warren
CouncillorTony Emslie
CouncillorTrevor Harris
CouncillorTony Martin
CouncillorLeonie Nunn
CouncillorAnthony Rayner
CouncillorTrevor Smith

The divisions were abolished for the 2012 election, with all councillors elected by the whole region. The council members elected in 2012 were:
PositionPerson
MayorR.L. "Joe" Owens
CouncillorJocelyn Avery
CouncillorNorma Rae Bowden
CouncillorTony Emslie
CouncillorDavid Morton
CouncillorTony Nielsen
CouncillorTrevor Smith

For the council election in 2008, the region was divided into six divisions, each electing one councillor. The council members elected in 2008 were:
PositionPerson
MayorJohn Palmer
Division 1 CouncillorTony Nielsen
Division 2 CouncillorRobert "Mick" Bischel
Division 3 CouncillorRichard Murray
Division 4 CouncillorGlennis Ford
Division 5 CouncillorNorma Rae Bowden
Division 6 CouncillorKen Hoolihan

Towns and localities

The Longreach Region includes the following settlements:
Longreach area:
Ilfracombe area:
Isisford area:
Longreach Regional Council operates public libraries at Ilfracombe, Isisford, and Longreach.

Population

The populations given relate to the component entities prior to 2008 and combined population after amalgamation. The population has been in steady decline since the early 1960's.
YearPopulation
19336,0794,564642873
19475,2444,137450657
19545,6944,343544807
19616,5335,013653867
19666,3664,959660747
19715,1424,300389453
19764,9114,052428431
19814,9113,846460605
19864,6633,871327465
19915,1534,369344440
19965,0544,419333302
20015,0374,368356313
20064,8064,180279347