Shire of Etheridge

The Shire of Etheridge is a local government area in Far North Queensland, Australia in what is known as the Savannah Gulf region. Its economy is based on cattle grazing and mining.

Shire of Etheridge Queensland
Location within Queensland
Population	714 (2021 census)[1]
• Density	0.018215/km2 (0.04718/sq mi)
Established	1879
Area	39,199 km2 (15,134.8 sq mi)[2]
Mayor	Barry Gilbert Hughes
Council seat	Georgetown
Region	Far North Queensland
State electorate(s)	Traeger
Federal division(s)	Kennedy
Website	Shire of Etheridge
LGAs around Shire of Etheridge: Carpentaria Mareeba Tablelands Croydon Shire of Etheridge Charters Towers Richmond Flinders Charters Towers

It covers an area of 39,199 square kilometres (15,134.8 sq mi),^[2] and has existed as a local government entity since 1882.

In the 2021 census, the Shire of Etheridge had a population of 714 people.^[1]

History

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

The Einasleigh Division was created on 11 November 1879 as one of 74 divisions around Queensland under the Divisional Boards Act 1879 with a population of 720.^[3][4] In 1891 it was reported that the divisional board had made no progress, perhaps because it covered a large area that was sparsely settled.^[5]

With the passage of the Local Authorities Act 1902, Einasleigh Division became the Shire of Einasleigh on 31 March 1903.^[4][6]

On 15 March 1919, it was renamed Shire of Etheridge.^[6]

Towns and localities

The Shire of Etheridge includes the following settlements:

• Georgetown
• Einasleigh
• Forsayth
• Gilbert River
• Mount Surprise
• Abingdon Downs
• Conjuboy
• Gilberton
• Lyndhurst
• Northhead
• Strathmore
• Talaroo

Former towns and localities

The Etheridge Shire had many mines in the late 1800s. This gave rise to a number of communities that no longer exist today:

• Cumberland within the present-day locality of Georgetown
• Kidston

Amenities

The Etheridge Shire Council operate a public library at Georgetown.^[7]

Demographics

Year	Population	Notes
1933	1,085	[citation needed]
1947	860	[citation needed]
1954	815	[citation needed]
1961	828	[citation needed]
1966	936	[citation needed]
1971	974	[citation needed]
1976	940	[citation needed]
1981	1,010	[citation needed]
1986	1,210	[citation needed]
1991	1,377	[citation needed]
1996	1,273	[citation needed]
2001 census	1,431	[8]
2006 census	851	[9]
2011 census	893	[10]
2016 census	799	[11]
2021 census	714	[1]

Chairmen and mayors

• 1888: C. Battersby ^[12]
• 1927: W. H. G. Gard ^[13]
• 2008–2012: Warren Devlin ^[14]
• 2012–2016: William Attwood ^[15]
• 2016–2020: Warren Devlin ^[16]
• 2020–present: Barry Gilbert Hughes ^[17]