Highland Plains, Queensland (Toowoomba Region)

Not to be confused with Highland Plains, Queensland (Maranoa Region).

Highland Plains is a rural locality in the Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia.^[2] In the 2021 census, Highland Plains had a population of 60 people.^[1]

Highland Plains Queensland
Highland Plains School (1918-1945)
Highland Plains
Coordinates	27.2744°S 151.7597°E / -27.2744; 151.7597 (Highland Plains (centre of locality))
Population	60 (2021 census)[1]
• Density	1.03/km2 (2.68/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4401
Area	58.0 km2 (22.4 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	12.6 km (8 mi) WNW of Goombungee 21.6 km (13 mi) N of Oakey 48.7 km (30 mi) NW of Toowoomba CBD 176 km (109 mi) WNW of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Toowoomba Region
State electorate(s)	Condamine
Federal division(s)	Groom
Suburbs around Highland Plains: Rosalie Plains Mount Darry Kilbirnie Balgowan Muldu Highland Plains Goombungee Acland Silverleigh Goombungee

Geography

The Oakey–Cooyar Road runs through from south to west, locally known as Pechey - Maclagan Road from where it turns west. Pechey - Maclagan Road enters from the south-east and joins Oakey–Cooyar Road.^[3]

There are coal mines in the south-west of the locality operated by New Acland Coal Pty Ltd. Apart from these, the rest of the locality is a mix of grazing on native vegetation and crop growing.^[4]

History

Local residents applied for a school on 5 July 1916. Highland Plains State School opened on 3 July 1918 under head teacher Alice Rose Randall. It was without a teacher from 10 October 1944, officially closing on 14 May 1945, with the remaining students transferred to Goombungee State School.^[5][6] It was at 622 Highland Plain Road (27.28550°S 151.78319°E / -27.28550; 151.78319 (Highland Plains State School (former))).^[7][8][9]

Demographics

In the 2016 census, Highland Plains had a population of 41 people.^[10]

In the 2021 census, Highland Plains had a population of 60 people.^[1]

Education

There are no schools in Highland Plains. The nearest government primary schools are Goombungee State School in neighbouring Goombungee to the east, Kulpi State School in Kulpi to the north-west, and Haden State School in Haden to the north-east. The nearest government secondary schools are Quinalow State School (to Year 10) in Quinalow to the north-west and Oakey State High School (to Year 12) in Oakey to the south.^[11]