Economically, Central Queensland is an important centre of primary sectorindustries, particularly for food and fibre production.[2] Central Queensland includes the Bowen Basin which is rich in high quality coking coal, the Port of Gladstone produces 40% of the state's export earnings, the Fitzroy River is the second-largest river system in Australia and commands significant water resources such as Fairbairn Dam. Gladstone has a significant aluminium smelter.
Beef
Rockhampton is claimed to be the beef capital of Australia, a title which is disputed by Casino in New South Wales.[3] Beef production in the region is centred on Brigalow and speargrass land types.[4] Every three years, Rockhampton holds the national Beef Australia exposition to celebrate the cattle industry as well as to facilitate trade opportunities for Australian beef producers.[5]
Central Queensland is one of the world's leading producers and exporters of black coal.[6]Ludwig Leichhardt was the first European to discover coal deposits in the region in 1845.[7] In the 2011-2012 financial year the region produced 40% of the state's total coal production.[8]
Gold, silver, limestone, coal seam gas, magnesite and gemstones are also mined.[6] Sapphires were discovered here in 1875.[10] Gold was discovered in the Mount Morgan region around 1865. Mount Morgan Mine has since gone on to become one of Australia's richest mines.[11]
Purpose-built mining towns in Central Queensland include Dysart, Middlemount, Moranbah, Mount Morgan and Moura. Three mining disaster have occurred at Moura since 1975, resulting in the loss of 36 lives.[12]
Citrus canker outbreak
In 2004, an orchard on Evergreen farm was the site of the first detection of citrus canker in Central Queensland. A significant part of the citrus growing industry was devastated when a total of 6,000 acres (24 km2) of crop had to be destroyed so the disease would not spread across the country.[13] In 2005 several fresh outbreaks were reported so the eradication expanded to include private backyard trees.[14] The outbreak's cause has not been fully explained despite a federal inquiry.[13] In 2009 authorities from the Government of Queensland declared the eradication program complete.
The region contain 33 national parks. Great Keppel Island has been an island tourist attraction since the 1960s. It and several other islands in the area are surrounded by coral reefs.[15] In the west of the region is Queensland's central highlands and the Carnarvon Gorge, which is protected within the Carnarvon National Park. Carnarvon Gorge features white sandstone cliffs, steep-sided gorges a diverse range of significant plant and animal species and many walking tracks.[16]Kroombit Tops National Park provides habitat for the endemic Kroombit tinker frog. Deepwater National Park is good place for turtle watching. From November to March three species of turtle lay their eggs on beaches protected within the park.[17]
For this purpose the area of Central Queensland was restricted to the areas encircled by the Dawson Highway between Gladstone and Springsure; the Gregory Highway between Springsure and Clermont, and the Peak Downs Highway between Clermont and enters North Queensland via Mackay – extended right to the eastern coastline.
Yagalingu (also known as Jagalingu, Auanbura, Kokleburra, Owanburra, Kowanburra, Wagalbara, and Djagalingu) is an Australian Aboriginal language of Central Queensland. Its traditional language region was within the local government area of Isaac Region, from the headwaters of the Belyando River south to Avoca, north to Laglan, west to the Great Dividing Range, and east and south to Drummond Range.[20]
Yambina (also known as Jambina and Jambeena) is an Australian Aboriginal language of Central Queensland. Its traditional language region is the local government area of Central Highlands Region, including Peak Downs, Logan Creek, south to Avon Downs, east to Denham Range and Logan Downs, west to Elgin Downs and at Solferino.[21]
In 1889 Central Queenslanders in Rockhampton established the Central Queensland Territorial Separation League with the hopes of turning Central Queensland into its own state. The core argument of secessionist movement was that the seat of government, Brisbane was in the south-east corner of the State. It was so far removed from substantial portions of the state that these areas and their citizens were left disadvantaged and neglected as political and economic interests focused on the south. Supplementing the Central Queensland Territorial Separation League, the women of Rockhampton established their own separation league in October 1892. Their main focus was preparing a petition to Queen Victoria. The introductory text set out their grievances and described the immense size of Queensland: being twelve times the area of England and Wales, and larger than France, Germany, Spain and Portugal combined. [23]
^ ab"Census data". 2011 Census of Population and Housing. Australian Bureau of Statistics. Archived from the original on 10 April 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
^"About Keppel Bay Islands". Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing. 6 January 2014. Archived from the original on 27 February 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
^"About Carnarvon Gorge". Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing. 20 October 2009. Archived from the original on 24 July 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
^"Nature, culture and history". Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing. 19 October 2009. Archived from the original on 2 September 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
