Shire of Barcoo

The Shire of Barcoo is a local government area in Central West Queensland, Australia.

Shire of Barcoo Queensland
Location within Queensland
Population	308 (2021 census)[1]
• Density	0.004981/km2 (0.012902/sq mi)
Established	1887
Area	61,830 km2 (23,872.7 sq mi)[2]
Mayor	Sally Elizabeth O'Neil
Council seat	Jundah
Region	Central West Queensland
State electorate(s)	Gregory
Federal division(s)	Maranoa
Website	Shire of Barcoo
LGAs around Shire of Barcoo: Diamantina Winton Longreach Diamantina Shire of Barcoo Longreach Outback Areas (SA) Bulloo Quilpie

It covers an area of 61,830 square kilometres (23,872.7 sq mi), and has existed as a local government entity since 1887. It is named for the Barcoo River which reaches a confluence with the Thomson River in the shire to form Cooper Creek.

The major industry in the shire is beef production and some opal mining. There has been some development of the known oil and gas reserves in the region.

In the 2021 census, the Shire of Barcoo had a population of 308 people.^[1]

History

Map of Barcoo Division and adjacent local government areas, March 1902

Kuungkari (also known as Kungkari and Koonkerri) 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.^[3]

The Barcoo Division was created on 24 December 1887 out of the eastern part of the Diamantina Division,^[4] and was subject to the Divisional Boards Act 1887.

In 1927, the council met at Stonehenge.^[5]

With the passage of the Local Authorities Act 1902, Barcoo Division became the Shire of Barcoo on 31 March 1903.

It subsequently lost areas when the shires of Isisford (1908) and Quilpie (1930) were incorporated.

Its present mayor, Sally O'Neil, has been in office since 2020.

Towns and localities

The Shire of Barcoo includes the following settlements:

• Jundah
• Farrars Creek
• Stonehenge
• Tanbar Station
• Windorah

Chairmen and mayors

• 1927: H. J. Cameron^[5]
• 2000–2012: Bruce Scott (unopposed 2008)^[6]
• 2012–2016: Julie Groves (unopposed)^[7]
• 2016–2020 : Bruce Scott^[8]
• 2020–present: Sally Elizabeth O'Neil^[9]

Demographics

Year	Population	Notes
1933	957	[citation needed]
1947	835	[citation needed]
1954	1,010	[citation needed]
1961	1,037	[citation needed]
1966	909	[citation needed]
1971	734	[citation needed]
1976	657	[citation needed]
1981	711	[citation needed]
1986	566	[citation needed]
1991	556	[citation needed]
1996	492	[citation needed]
2001 census	576	[10]
2006 census	360	[11]
2011 census	350	[12]
2016 census	267	[13]
2021 census	308	[1]

Libraries

The Barcoo Shire Council operates public libraries at Jundah, Stonehenge, and Windorah.^[14]