Kiamba, Queensland

Kiamba is a rural locality in the Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia.^[2] In the 2021 census, Kiamba had a population of 191 people.^[1]

Kiamba Queensland
Wappa Dam splling, 1964
Kiamba
Coordinates	26.5733°S 152.9094°E / -26.5733; 152.9094 (Kiamba (centre of locality))
Population	191 (2021 census)[1]
• Density	12.32/km2 (31.92/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4560
Area	15.5 km2 (6.0 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	11.6 km (7 mi) NW of Nambour 41.3 km (26 mi) NNW of Caloundra 126 km (78 mi) N of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Sunshine Coast Region
State electorate(s)	Nicklin
Federal division(s)	Fairfax
Suburbs around Kiamba: Cooloolabin Cooloolabin Cooloolabin Gheerulla Kiamba Yandina Kulangoor Gheerulla Kureelpa Image Flat

Geography

Wappa Falls, 2012

The south branch of the Maroochy River forms much of the southern boundary before flowing to the north-east, where it enters the Wappa Dam (26.5697°S 152.9203°E / -26.5697; 152.9203 (Wappa Dam)), also in the locality.^[3] Rocky Creek enters from the north-west and flows east to join the South Maroochy above the dam.^[4]

There are two waterfalls on the south Maroochy River:

• Kiamba Falls, upstream from the dam (26.5869°S 152.9097°E / -26.5869; 152.9097 (Kiamba Falls))^[5]

• Wappa Falls, downstream from the dam, at the end of Pump Station Road (26.5708°S 152.9252°E / -26.5708; 152.9252 (Wappa Falls))^[6]

History

Wappa Dam under construction, 1962

The name Kiamba is reportedly derived from an Aboriginal word Geyambin meaning Cockatoo.^[2]

Kiamba State School opened on 28 April 1927 and closed on 28 August 1964.^[7] It was on the western side of Kiamba Road (approx 26.57324°S 152.90027°E / -26.57324; 152.90027 (Kiamba State School (former))).^[8]

In 1930, the residents of Kiamba purchased the Dulong-Kureelpa Public Hall to relocated to Kiamba using volunteer labour on land acquired from Messrs L and C Duhs.^[9] The Kiamba Hall was officially opened on 4 October 1930. The building was 40 by 28 feet (12.2 by 8.5 m). The cost of buying the hall and the land was about £112.^[10][11]

Wappa Dam was built in 1963. The dam wall is 138 metres (453 ft) long and is a concrete gravity arch dam with earth abutments.^[12]

Demographics

In the 2016 census, Kiamba had a population of 191 people.^[13]

In the 2021 census, Kiamba had a population of 191 people.^[1]

Education

There are no schools in Kiamba. The nearest government primary schools are Yandina State School in neighbouring Yandina to the east and Nambour State College (Junior School) in Nambour to the south-east. The nearest government secondary school is Nambour State College.^[14]

Attractions

Jack Harrison Park (also known as Wappa Park) is on Wappa Park Road on the banks on the Wappa Dam (26.5714°S 152.9225°E / -26.5714; 152.9225 (Jack Harrison Park (Wappa Park))). It provides picnic and playground facilities. It provides good views of the dam when it is spilling and the Wappa Falls is a short walk away.^[15]

References

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Kiamba (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
2. "Kiamba – locality in Sunshine Coast Region (entry 48698)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
3. "Wappa Dam – reservoir in the Sunshine Coast Region (entry 36485)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
4. "Kiamba, Queensland" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
5. "Kiamba Falls – waterfall in Sunshine Coast Regional (entry 18060)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
6. "Wappa Falls – waterfall in Sunshine Coast Regional (entry 47630)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
7. Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
8. "Nambour". Queensland Government (Map). 1942. Archived from the original on 21 August 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
9. "YANDINA". The Brisbane Courier. No. 22, 622. Queensland, Australia. 31 July 1930. p. 10. Retrieved 20 March 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
10. "Advertising". Nambour Chronicle And North Coast Advertiser. Vol. XXVII, no. 1373. Queensland, Australia. 26 September 1930. p. 2. Retrieved 20 March 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
11. "FERTILE AREA". Nambour Chronicle And North Coast Advertiser. Vol. XXVII, no. 1375. Queensland, Australia. 10 October 1930. p. 5. Retrieved 20 March 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
12. "Wappa". Seqwater. Archived from the original on 10 November 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
13. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Kiamba (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
14. "Layers: Locality; Schools and school catchments". Queensland Globe. Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 19 December 2017. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
15. "Wappa Dam and Falls". Adventure Sunshine Coast. Archived from the original on 16 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2024.

Further reading

• Blyth, Audienne (2003). Streets and roads of Yandina & district : their history & origins : includes the localities of: Bridges, Cooloolabin, Kiamba, Kulangoor, Maroochy River, North Arm, Valdora and Yandina Creek. Audienne Blyth. ISBN 978-0-646-42982-3.
• Blyth, Audienne Desley (2009). Yandina & District : a pictorial history, including the localities of Bridges, Cooloolabin, Kiamba, Kulangoor, Maroochy River, North Arm, Valdora and Yandina Creek. The Author. ISBN 978-0-646-51739-1.