Lefthand Branch, Queensland

Lefthand Branch is a rural locality in the Lockyer Valley Region, Queensland, Australia.^[3] In the 2021 census, Lefthand Branch had a population of 69 people.^[1]

Lefthand Branch Queensland
Lefthand Branch
Coordinates	27.7897°S 152.2625°E / -27.7897; 152.2625 (Lefthand Branch (centre of locality))
Population	69 (2021 census)[1]
• Density	1.049/km2 (2.716/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4343
Elevation	190–900 m (623–2,953 ft)[2]
Area	65.8 km2 (25.4 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	30.3 km (19 mi) S of Gatton 52.4 km (33 mi) SE of Toowoomba 84.4 km (52 mi) WSW of Ipswich 121 km (75 mi) WSW of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Lockyer Valley Region
State electorate(s)	Lockyer
Federal division(s)	Wright
Suburbs around Lefthand Branch: Mount Sylvia Ingoldsby Ingoldsby Woodbine Junction View Lefthand Branch Thornton East Haldon East Haldon Townson

Geography

Lefthand Branch is named for the creek, Lefthand Branch creek that runs the length of the valley and the creek is named for the fact that it turns left after splitting from Tent Hill Creek. The narrow valley runs south east for approximately 11 kilometers. It is mainly cattle properties and some small vegetable crop farms, although there are a few olive crops and a small turf farm.^{[citation needed]}

Lefthand Branch has the following mountain features:

• Rocky Peak (27.8283°S 152.2788°E / -27.8283; 152.2788 (Rocky Peak)) 837 metres (2,746 ft)^[4][5]

• Laidley Gap, a mountain pass (27.8305°S 152.3156°E / -27.8305; 152.3156 (Laidley Gap))^[4]

Main Range National Park extends into the south of the locality.^[2]

History

Hillview Provisional School opened on 16 October 1899. On 1 January 1909, it became Hillview State School. In 1914, it was renamed Viewland State School. It closed in 1923, to reopen in 1924 as Left Hand Branch State School, which finally closed in 1967.^[6] It was on the western side of Lefthand Branch Road, south of the junction with Reibstein Gully Road (approx 27.76419°S 152.24941°E / -27.76419; 152.24941 (Left Hand Branch State School (former))).^[7]

Demographics

In the 2016 census, Lefthand Branch had a population of 79 people.^[8]

In the 2021 census, Lefthand Branch had a population of 69 people.^[1]

Education

There are no schools in Lefthand Branch. The nearest government primary school is Mount Sylvia State School in neighbouring Mount Sylvia to the north-west. The nearest government secondary school is Lockyer District State High School in Gatton to the north.^[9]