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Biloela
Queensland
Bilo Silo.JPG
The Silo, Biloela
Biloela is located in Queensland
Biloela
Biloela
Location in Queensland
Population 5,758 (2016 census)
 • Density 327.2/km2 (847/sq mi)
Established 1924
Postcode(s) 4715
Elevation 175.0 m (574 ft)
Area 17.6 km2 (6.8 sq mi)
Time zone AEST (UTC10)
Location
LGA(s) Shire of Banana
State electorate(s) Callide
Federal Division(s) Flynn
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
29.0 °C
84 °F
13.2 °C
56 °F
667.6 mm
26.3 in
Localities around Biloela:
Dakenba Dakenba Valentine Plains
Prospect Biloela Valentine Plains
Prospect Prospect Valentine Plains

Biloela ( BIL-oh-EE-lə) is a rural town and locality in Shire of Banana, Central Queensland, Australia. It is situated 120 kilometres (75 mi) inland from the port city of Gladstone at the junction of the Burnett and Dawson highways. Biloela is the administrative centre of Banana Shire, which has an area of 15,729 square kilometres (6,073 sq mi). In the 2016 census, Biloela had a population of 5,758 people.

Etymology

The name Biloela is generally believed to be the Aboriginal word (possibly from the Sydney area) for black or white cockatoo. The Government dockyards in Sydney were known as Biloela during 1870–1913 in an endeavour to remove the perceived stigma of the prior Cockatoo Island convict establishment.

History

The town was gazetted in 1924; it was on the Rannes-Monto railway line. Land sales were held in Rannes in December 1924.

Biloela Post Office opened by January 1925 and Biloela State School opened on 22 June 1925.

The first open-cut mine was established in 1942.

In 1963, work began on the Callide Power Station.

The Biloela State High School opened on 29 January 1963.

Heritage listings

Biloela has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

Climate

Biloela has a warm subtropical climate, with hot to warm temperatures all year round. Winter nights can occasionally drop below freezing, however winters are usually warm and dry, with pleasant sunny days. Summers are hot and humid, with most rain falling with occasional thunderstorms. Record temperatures have ranged from 43.1 °C (109.6 °F) to −4.7 °C (23.5 °F). The wettest 24-hour rainfall was 199.6 millimetres (7.86 in) on 31 January 1978.


Climate data for Biloela
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 43.1
(109.6)
41.0
(105.8)
42.4
(108.3)
36.1
(97.0)
35.0
(95.0)
30.2
(86.4)
30.1
(86.2)
34.5
(94.1)
38.7
(101.7)
38.3
(100.9)
39.8
(103.6)
41.4
(106.5)
43.1
(109.6)
Average high °C (°F) 33.5
(92.3)
32.7
(90.9)
32.0
(89.6)
29.6
(85.3)
26.2
(79.2)
23.3
(73.9)
23.2
(73.8)
24.9
(76.8)
28.1
(82.6)
30.4
(86.7)
31.8
(89.2)
32.9
(91.2)
29.0
(84.2)
Average low °C (°F) 19.7
(67.5)
19.7
(67.5)
17.7
(63.9)
14.0
(57.2)
9.9
(49.8)
7.0
(44.6)
5.5
(41.9)
6.4
(43.5)
9.8
(49.6)
13.3
(55.9)
16.4
(61.5)
18.6
(65.5)
13.2
(55.8)
Record low °C (°F) 12.3
(54.1)
12.3
(54.1)
9.2
(48.6)
0.8
(33.4)
−1.4
(29.5)
−2.8
(27.0)
−4.7
(23.5)
−3.3
(26.1)
−0.7
(30.7)
2.6
(36.7)
4.9
(40.8)
8.7
(47.7)
−4.7
(23.5)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 98.1
(3.86)
95.9
(3.78)
61.2
(2.41)
34.5
(1.36)
39.3
(1.55)
32.2
(1.27)
28.1
(1.11)
23.4
(0.92)
25.5
(1.00)
56.1
(2.21)
75.6
(2.98)
95.8
(3.77)
665.7
(26.22)
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2mm) 7.8 7.4 5.9 4.1 3.9 3.5 3.6 3.2 3.1 5.6 6.5 7.4 62
Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Callide Dam

The closest fresh water depository is the Callide Dam, however it is often well below capacity due to low rainfall in the area. Despite this, the dam acts as a popular site for water skiing, camping, swimming and fishing. In particular, the dam is a haven for Eel-tailed catfish, Yellowbelly, Saratoga and Barramundi. The largest ever Barramundi recorded was at the 2008 Callide Dam fishing competition, measuring 138 centimetres (54 in).

The Callide Dam was constructed in 1965 to supply water for a nearby power station in Biloela in the state of Queensland, Australia. Callide Dam holds 136,300 megalitres (3.60×1010 US gal) at an average depth of 10.5 metres (34 ft) and a surface area of 1,240 hectares (3,100 acres) at full capacity. The dam supplies water to the Callide Power Station.

Facilities

Ambulance station, Biloela, 2014
Ambulance station, 2014

The Banana Shire Council has its shire chambers at 62 Valentine Plains Road. There is an ambulance station at 32 Kariboe Street.

Events

Biloela holds an annual Rockfest (music festival) in March.

Also in March, the Callide Dam also plays host to the annual Callide Dam Fishing Competition in which a number of introduced stock are caught.

In April, Rotary holds its annual Ute muster.

The Callide Valley Show including the Callide Valley Ball and the Rodeo are held each May.

The Callide Dawson Machinery Preservation Club holds an annual Old Wheels in Motion Rally in July.

November has a number of annual events: the Arts and Crafts Day, the Brigalow Arts Festival and the Biloela Festival.

Demographics

At the 2016 census, Biloela had a population of 5,727.

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 4.3% of the population.
  • 77.7% of people were born in Australia. The next most common countries of birth were New Zealand 1.9% and Philippines 1.8%.
  • 82.7% of people only spoke English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Vietnamese at 1.9%.
  • The most common responses for religion were Catholic 25.7%, Anglican 18.3% and No Religion 17.2%.

Sports

Various sporting organisations are active within the community, such as Panthers Rugby League Club, Biloela Rugby Union Club, Biloela Touch Football Association, Callide Valley Tennis Association, Biloela Netball Association, Biloela Golf Club, Biloela Cricket Association, Biloela Valley's Football Club (soccer), Biloela Swimming Club, Biloela Dirt Rider Club, the Biloela Police Citizens Youth Club, SSAA Biloela Branch Shooting Range, Callide Dawson Clay Target Club, Callide Dawson Pistol Club & Biloela Rifle Club (Queensland Rifle Association)

Education

Biloela State School is a government primary (Early Childhood-6) school for boys and girls at 48 Rainbow Street (24°23′54″S 150°30′58″E / 24.3983°S 150.5161°E / -24.3983; 150.5161 (Biloela State School)). In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 364 students with 32 teachers (27 full-time equivalent) and 19 non-teaching staff (13 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program.

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School is a Catholic primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at 66 Rainbow Street (24°23′49″S 150°30′53″E / 24.3969°S 150.5147°E / -24.3969; 150.5147 (St Joseph's Catholic Primary School)). In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 224 students with 20 teachers (19 full-time equivalent) and 14 non-teaching staff (5 full-time equivalent).

Biloela State High School is a government secondary (7-12) school for boys and girls at Cnr Scoria Street & Gladstone Road (24°23′56″S 150°31′04″E / 24.3988°S 150.5178°E / -24.3988; 150.5178 (Biloela State High School)). In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 577 students with 56 teachers (53 full-time equivalent) and 32 non-teaching staff (22 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program.

Redeemer Lutheran College is a private primary and secondary (Prep-11) school for boys and girls at 2 Collard Street (24°24′05″S 150°31′08″E / 24.4014°S 150.5190°E / -24.4014; 150.5190 (Redeemer Lutheran College)). In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 253 students with 18 teachers and 19 non-teaching staff (14 full-time equivalent).

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