Barakula is a rural locality in the Western Downs Region, Queensland, Australia.[3] In the 2021 census, Barakula had "no people or a very low population".[1]

Barakula
Queensland
Timber cutter with a large log in Barakula
Barakula is located in Queensland
Barakula
Barakula
Coordinates26°19′52″S 150°35′52″E / 26.3311°S 150.5977°E / -26.3311; 150.5977 (Barakula (centre of locality))
Population0 (2021 census)[1]
 • Density0.00000/km2 (0.0000/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4413[2]
Area1,639.4 km2 (633.0 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
LGA(s)Western Downs Region
State electorate(s)Callide
Federal division(s)Maranoa
Suburbs around Barakula:
Roche Creek Auburn Kragra
Pelham Barakula Durah
Hookswood Blackswamp Fairyland
Burncluith

Barakula's postcode is 4413.[2]

History

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In 1911 the Queensland Railway Department built a tramway from Chinchilla to Wongongera (now Barakula) to transport railway sleepers made from logs taken from the state forest at Barakula and milled at the Barakula sawmill (approx 26°25′40″S 150°30′16″E / 26.4279°S 150.5044°E / -26.4279; 150.5044 (Barakula sawmill (former))). The route of the Barakula tramway was based on an earlier plan to construct a railway line from Chinchilla to Taroom that was subsequently abandoned in favour of a railway line from Miles to Taroom.[4][5] Originally established to supply sleepers for the Great Western Railway, the sawmill and the tramway operated intermittently depending on demand. The sawmill was mothballed in August 1928 but a caretaker, F. Brooks, was retained. The line reopened in 1942.[6] The tramway operated until 1970.[7] It was a 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) gauge tramway.[8]

Wongongera Sawmill Provisional School opened on 25 July 1912. In 1914 it was renamed Barakula Provisional School. It closed and re-opened a number of times due to low student numbers. In 1927 it became Barakula State School. It closed on 31 December 1982.[9] It was located within Barakula State Forest (approximately 26°25′38″S 150°30′10″E / 26.4273°S 150.5027°E / -26.4273; 150.5027 (Barakula State School (former))).[10][11]

Demographics

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In the 2016 census Barakula had a population of 13 people.[12]

In the 2021 census, Barakula had "no people or a very low population".[1]

Heritage listings

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Barakula has the following heritage-listed sites:

References

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  1. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Barakula (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.  
  2. ^ a b Barakula Postcode Archived 15 November 2021 at the Wayback Machine Australia Post
  3. ^ "Barakula – locality in Western Downs Region (entry 47662)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  4. ^ "RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT". The Brisbane Courier. No. 16, 643. Queensland, Australia. 16 May 1911. p. 5. Archived from the original on 15 November 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "DOWNS RAILWAYS". Darling Downs Gazette. Vol. LIV, no. 9853. Queensland, Australia. 16 September 1911. p. 5. Archived from the original on 15 November 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ Knowles, John (June 2010). "Re: Tall Timber and Tramlines in Queensland" (PDF). Light Railways (213): 26. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  7. ^ "From Charley's Creek to Chinchilla" (PDF). The railway through Queensland's south and west. Queensland Rail. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 March 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  8. ^ Houghton, Norman (June 2008). "Queensland Rail Tales" (PDF). Australian Forest History Society Inc. Newsletter (49): 8. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 March 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  9. ^ Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
  10. ^ "Queensland Two Mile series sheet 2m83" (Map). Queensland Government. 1951. Archived from the original on 6 November 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  11. ^ "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  12. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Barakula (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.  
  13. ^ "Waaje Fire Tower No.4 (entry 650070)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 22 February 2018.

Further reading

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