Emerald, Queensland

Emerald Queensland
Location of Emerald in Queensland (red)
Population:	10,037[1]
Postcode:	4720
Elevation:	m ( ft)
Location:	km ( mi) NW of Brisbane  km ( mi) W of Rockhampton  km ( mi) E of Longreach  km ( mi) N of Roma
LGA:	Emerald Shire Council
State District:	Gregory
Federal Division:	Capricornia
Mean Max Temp Mean Min Temp Rainfall 29.9 °C 86 °F 16.4 °C 62 °F {{formatnum:487.9 mm 19.2}} in

Emerald (23°31′S, 148°09′E) is a town and Local Government Area located in the Central Highlands district of Queensland, Australia. The town is the administrative centre for the Emerald Shire, which covers an area of approximately 10,000 square kilometres. At the 2001 census, Emerald had a population of 10,037 .^[1] (although with recent booms in agriculture, mining and their associated services the current population is closer to 12000, a substaintial increase in growth from the 1.2% average in the early 21st century) ^{[citation needed]} Emerald lies on the Nogoa River, a tributary of the Fitzroy River. The town lies almost 300 kilometres from the coast, north west of the city of Rockhampton on the junction of the Capricorn and Gregory highways.

Emerald is a service town for a large number of industries in the area. Extensive coal mining operations are carried out in the district. Cotton is grown in the area, and is processed at the Yamala Cotton Gin, while other agricultural activities include grape and grain growing. To the west of the town is an area known as The Gemfields, with small towns such as Sapphire and Rubyvale indicating the type of gems found there.

The Fairbairn Dam, a short drive to the south of the town, was opened in 1972, and holds back the waters of Lake Maraboon. The lake covers an area of up to 150 km², making it one of the largest artificial lakes in the country. When full, it holds more water than Sydney Harbour. This extensive water supply has allowed the cotton industry to flourish in the area, and the lake is a boon for local water sports.

Emerald has seven schools: five primary schools and two secondary schools. The Marist College (high school) and St Patrick's (primary school) are private schools. The only public high school in Emerald is Emerald State High School. The small community of Gindie exists approximately 23km's south of Emerald on the Gregory Highway - it is also home to a primary school established in 1897, Gindie State School.

Trivia

Central Queensland University has a campus in Emerald.

References

External links

The Emerald Shire Homepage
Emerald Presbyterian Church
Emerald State High School Homepage

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