Emerald, Queensland
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{GeoGroup}}
{{Infobox Australian place
| type = town
| name = Emerald
| state = qld
| image = Emerald railway station, Queensland.jpg
| caption = Emerald railway station, 2016
| coordinates = {{coord|-23.5208|148.1619|type:city_region:AU-QLD|display=inline,title|name=Emerald (town centre)}}
| pop = 14904
| pop_year = {{CensusAU|2021}}
| established = 1879
| postcode = 4720
| area = 611.1
| timezone = AEST
| utc = +10:00
| dist1 = 271
| dir1 = W
| location1 = Rockhampton
| dist2 = 832
| dir2 = NW
| location2 = Brisbane
| dist3 =
| dir3 =
| location3 =
| dist4 =
| dir4 =
| location4 =
| lga = Central Highlands Region
| stategov = Gregory
| fedgov = Flynn
| elevation = 189
| maxtemp = 29.4
| mintemp = 15.0
| rainfall = 541.2
| near-n = Wyuna
| near-ne = Comet
| near-e = Comet
| near-se = Comet
| near-s = Gindie
| near-sw = Gindie
| near-w = Anakie Siding
| near-nw = Fork Lagoons
}}
Emerald is a town and locality in the Central Highlands Region, Queensland, Australia.{{cite QPN|11598|Emerald|town in Central Highlands Region|accessdate=27 December 2020}}{{cite QPN|46949|Emerald|locality in Central Highlands Region|accessdate=27 December 2020}} Situated on the Nogoa River, Emerald lies approximately 270 kilometres west of Rockhampton and serves as major service centre for the region's extensive agricultural and mining industries. Emerald's climate is classified as subtropical, with hot summers and mild winters. The town is the headquarters for the Central Highlands Regional Council. In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the locality of Emerald had a population of 14,904.
Emerald was founded as the terminus of the Central Western railway line in 1879, however this lasted only a year before subsequent lines were built to Springsure and Clermont leading to Emerald becoming a transport hub. The town's development accelerated in the 1980s onwards, primarily due to its proximity to the Bowen Basin coalfields, leading to rapid population growth and urban expansion.
Emerald's economy is diverse, encompassing agriculture, mining, and renewable energy. The Central Highlands is known for its fertile soils; its agricultural products include cotton, grain, citrus, grape, and sunflower cultivation. Emerald is also an important freight and logistics hub for Central Queensland, being the site of north Australia's first inland port. The town is served by the Emerald Airport.
Located just south of Emerald, the Fairbairn Dam, creates Lake Maraboon, one of Australia's largest artificial lakes its capacity is approximately three times larger than Sydney Harbour.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sunwater.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/14695/Fairbairn-Dam-visitor-info.pdf|title=Fairbairn Dam visitor info|website=SunWater|access-date=2 February 2017|archive-date=11 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170311003922/http://www.sunwater.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/14695/Fairbairn-Dam-visitor-info.pdf|url-status=dead}} Spanning up to 150 square kilometres when full, the lake is a popular destination for water sports, fishing, and camping. Emerald is also a tourist destination to access the Carnarvon National Park and Carnarvon Gorge, one of Australia's most iconic wilderness landscapes.
History
The traditional owners include the Gayiri people who occupied the area for tens of thousands of years before European colonisation began in the nineteenth century. The Gayiri (Kairi, Khararya) language region takes in the landscape of the Central Highlands Region, including Emerald and the Nogoa River.{{Cite SLQ-CC-BY|url=https://maps.slq.qld.gov.au/iyil/view/60?embed=true|title=Gayiri|website=Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages map|access-date=5 February 2020}}
The first European to explore the area was Ludwig Leichhardt between 1843 and 1845. The British Colony of Queensland was established in 1859.
The town takes its name from the pastoral run Emerald Downs, a name chosen circa 1860 by pastoralist Peter Fitzallan Macdonald. It has been claimed that the origin of that name relates to the finding of the emerald gemstone, but another claim is that it was named for the lush green pastures in the area.{{cite news |date=15 February 1936 |title=NOMENCLATURE OF QUEENSLAND.—119 |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article36808439 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527013321/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/36808439 |archive-date=27 May 2022 |accessdate=27 November 2021 |newspaper=The Courier-mail |location=Queensland, Australia |page=12 |via=National Library of Australia |issue=769}}{{Cite web |title=Emerald & Sapphire Gemfields |url=https://www.visitcapricorn.com.au/where-to-go/emerald-gemfields |access-date=2024-05-24 |publisher=Visit Capricorn |archive-date=18 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318113925/https://www.visitcapricorn.com.au/where-to-go/emerald-gemfields |url-status=live }}
Emerald was established in 1879 as a base for the Central line railway from Rockhampton. Emerald Post Office opened on 5 June 1879.{{Cite web | last = Premier Postal History | title = Post Office List | publisher = Premier Postal Auctions | url = https://www.premierpostal.com/cgi-bin/wsProd.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=QLD&country= | access-date = 10 May 2014 | archive-date = 15 May 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140515223132/http://www.premierpostal.com/cgi-bin/wsProd.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=QLD& | url-status = live }}
Emerald State School opened on 3 November 1879. A secondary department was added to the school in 1919 but that department was closed in 1921. The secondary department reopened in 1959 and operated until the separate Emerald State High School opened in 1969.{{Citation|author1=Queensland Family History Society|title=Queensland schools past and present|publication-date=2010|edition=Version 1.01|publisher=Queensland Family History Society|isbn=978-1-921171-26-0}}
St Patrick's Catholic School was established on 31 January 1902 by the Presentation Sisters. They provided a boarding facility for girls and boys from 1906 to 1961. The last of the Presentation Sisters left the school in 1992 after which it was operated by the Rockhampton Catholic Education Office.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stpatricksemerald.com.au/our-history.html|title=Our History|website=St Patrick's Emerald|language=en|access-date=2019-11-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128133702/https://www.stpatricksemerald.com.au/our-history.html|archive-date=28 November 2019|url-status=live}}
Emerald North State School opened on 29 January 1980. A preschool was added on 20 February 1980. A special education unit opened on 23 January 1984. The preschool and special education units closed in 1999.
The Emerald campus of the Capricornia School of Distance Education opened on 1 February 1993.
Marist College was established in 1996 by the Marist Brothers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.maristcollegeemerald.com.au/college-history.html|title=College History|website=Marist College Emerald|language=en|access-date=2019-11-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128135446/https://www.maristcollegeemerald.com.au/college-history.html|archive-date=28 November 2019|url-status=live}}
Denison State School opened on 28 January 1997. It takes its name from the County of Denison, which was named after Sir William Denison, the Governor General of the Australian Colonies in the 1850s.
In October 1999, as part of the Van Gogh Project, the Big Easel was unveiled in Emerald.{{Cite web |title=Big Easel |url=https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/culture/social/display/91352-big-easel |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=Monument Australia |archive-date=28 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328050915/https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/culture/social/display/91352-big-easel |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Grossetti |first=Carla |date=2023-11-07 |title=A Guide To 30 Of Australia's Iconic Big Things |url=https://www.australiantraveller.com/australia/most-iconic-big-things-of-australia/ |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=Australian Traveller |language=en-au |archive-date=9 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209070011/https://www.australiantraveller.com/australia/most-iconic-big-things-of-australia/ |url-status=live }}
Emerald Christian College (originally known as Emerald Educational College) opened in 2001.
The citrus industry was severely affected by a citrus canker outbreak that started in 2004 and was declared over in early 2009.{{cite web |date=23 January 2009 |title=Citrus canker disease officially eradicated from Qld |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/23/2473097.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203161015/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/23/2473097.htm |archive-date=3 February 2009 |access-date=22 October 2009 |work=ABC News Online |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |df=dmy-all}} More than half a million citrus trees located around Emerald had to be destroyed.
The visitor information centre opened on 26 September 2005.{{Citation |last= |first= |title=Plaque at Emerald Visitors Centre |date=2017-08-04 |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/chrclibrariesqld/36264361481 |access-date=2024-05-24 |publisher=Central Highlands Regional Council Library |archive-date=19 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119225736/https://www.flickr.com/photos/chrclibrariesqld/36264361481/ |url-status=live }}
In 2007, the Emerald Uniting Church was enlarged by the Uniting congregation at Fernlees when that church was closed.{{Cite web|title=Gift of a Church – a mix of mission and service {{!}} Emerald Uniting Church|url=https://www.emeraldunitingchurch.org.au/?page_id=21|access-date=2021-09-17|language=en-US|archive-date=23 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323101128/https://www.emeraldunitingchurch.org.au/?page_id=21|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Emerald Uniting Church|url=https://www.churchesaustralia.org/list-of-churches/denominations/uniting-church-in-australia/directory/7199-emerald-uniting-church|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-17|website=Churches Australia|language=en|archive-date=17 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917041105/https://www.churchesaustralia.org/list-of-churches/denominations/uniting-church-in-australia/directory/7199-emerald-uniting-church}}
St Brigid's Catholic Primary School was established in 2014 by the Rockhampton Catholic Education Office.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sberok.catholic.edu.au/documents/history.html|title=Our History|website=St Brigid's Catholic Primary School, Emerald|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314061446/http://www.sberok.catholic.edu.au/documents/history.html|archive-date=14 March 2017|access-date=2019-11-28}}
Ontrack College Emerald opened in February 2018 (originally called Ontrack Special Assistance College). It was established by the Emerald Christian College to support students who are disengaged from mainstream schooling.{{Cite web |title=Annual Report 2024 (based on 2023 data) |url=https://www.ontrack.qld.edu.au/annual-report.html |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=ONTRACK COLLEGE |language=en}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.christianschools.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Ontrack-Home-Economics-Teacher.pdf|title=OnTrack|website=OnTrack|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306165028/https://www.christianschools.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Ontrack-Home-Economics-Teacher.pdf|archive-date=6 March 2019}}
On 17 April 2020, the Queensland Government re-drew the boundaries of localities within the Central Highlands Region by replacing the locality of The Gemfields with three new localities of Rubyvale, Sapphire Central and Anakie Siding (around the towns of Rubyvale, Sapphire, and Anakie respectively). This included adjusting the boundaries of other existing localities in the Region to accommodate these changes; Emerald gained the north-eastern corner and eastern parts of The Gemfields but losing a small area on its western boundary to the new Anakie Siding, increasing the area of the locality from {{Convert|611.1 to 844.9|km2||abbr=}}.{{Cite web|date=17 April 2020|title=Recent place name decisions: Job number 18-115: The Gemfields|url=https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/title/place-names/proposals-decisions/decisions#18-115|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717022359/https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/title/place-names/proposals-decisions/decisions#18-115|archive-date=17 July 2020|access-date=17 July 2020|publisher=Queensland Government}}{{Cite web|date=2019|title=Proposed Locality Boundaries and Names: Anakie Siding, Argyll, Emerald, Gindie, Lochington, Minerva, Rubyvale and Sapphire Central|url=https://www.dnrme.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/1457327/18115-qpn1401-proposed.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717023517/https://www.dnrme.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/1457327/18115-qpn1401-proposed.pdf|archive-date=17 July 2020|access-date=17 July 2020|publisher=Queensland Government}}{{Cite web|date=17 April 2020|title=Locality Boundaries and Names: Anakie Siding, Argyll, Emerald, Gindie, Lochington, Minerva, Rubyvale and Sapphire Central|url=https://www.dnrme.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/1478741/18115-qpn1401-decision.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717024018/https://www.dnrme.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/1478741/18115-qpn1401-decision.pdf|archive-date=17 July 2020|access-date=17 July 2020|publisher=Queensland Government}}{{Queensland Globe|access-date=17 July 2020}}
Geography
Emerald lies on the Nogoa River, a tributary of the Fitzroy River.{{cite web |date=8 February 2004 |title=Travel: Emerald |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/Queensland/Emerald/2005/02/17/1108500203310.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070524024007/http://www.theage.com.au/news/Queensland/Emerald/2005/02/17/1108500203310.html |archive-date=24 May 2007 |access-date=22 August 2009 |work=theage.com.au |publisher=The Age Company |df=dmy-all}} The town lies approximately {{convert|270|km|mi}} from the Coral Sea coast and approximately {{convert|270|km}} west of the city of Rockhampton by road at the junction of the Capricorn and Gregory highways. Emerald sits approximately {{convert|10|km}} south of the Tropic of Capricorn.
=Climate=
Emerald has a hot semi-arid climate (Koppen: BSh) with very hot, relatively wet summers and very mild, dry winters with cool nights. Warm to hot weather dominate for most of the year, with mean maximums ranging from {{convert|34.6|C}} in January to {{convert|23.4|C}} in July. The average annual rainfall is {{convert|559.0|mm}}, with a summer maximum.{{cite web
|url = https://www.farmonlineweather.com.au/climate/station.jsp?lt=site&lc=35264 |title = Emerald Airport Climate (1992-2024) |publisher = FarmOnline Weather |access-date = July 12, 2024}} Temperature extremes have ranged from {{convert|46.2|C}} on 15 December 1919 to {{convert|-5.6|C}} on 4 July 1899.{{cite web
|url = https://www.farmonlineweather.com.au/climate/station.jsp?lt=site&lc=35027 |title = Emerald Post Office Climate (1883-1992)
|publisher = FarmOnline Weather |access-date = July 12, 2024}}
The original weather station was at the post office, starting in 1883. It closed in 1992, in favour of a new weather station at the airport {{convert|4.9|km}} south east.
{{Weather box
| location = Emerald (23º34'12"S, 148º10'48"E, 189 m AMSL) (1992–2024 normals, extremes 1889–present)
| metric first = Yes
| single line = Yes
| Jan record high C = 45.6
| Feb record high C = 44.3
| Mar record high C = 42.9
| Apr record high C = 38.1
| May record high C = 34.3
| Jun record high C = 32.0
| Jul record high C = 32.8
| Aug record high C = 38.2
| Sep record high C = 39.9
| Oct record high C = 42.4
| Nov record high C = 44.6
| Dec record high C = 46.2
| Jan high C = 34.6
| Feb high C = 33.9
| Mar high C = 32.9
| Apr high C = 30.1
| May high C = 26.4
| Jun high C = 23.5
| Jul high C = 23.4
| Aug high C = 25.6
| Sep high C = 29.1
| Oct high C = 32.1
| Nov high C = 33.4
| Dec high C = 34.4
| Jan mean C = 28.5
| Feb mean C = 28.0
| Mar mean C = 26.8
| Apr mean C = 23.6
| May mean C = 19.8
| Jun mean C = 16.9
| Jul mean C = 16.3
| Aug mean C = 17.9
| Sep mean C = 21.4
| Oct mean C = 24.7
| Nov mean C = 26.5
| Dec mean C = 27.9
| year mean C =
| Jan low C = 22.3
| Feb low C = 22.1
| Mar low C = 20.6
| Apr low C = 17.1
| May low C = 13.1
| Jun low C = 10.3
| Jul low C = 9.2
| Aug low C = 10.1
| Sep low C = 13.6
| Oct low C = 17.2
| Nov low C = 19.5
| Dec low C = 21.4
| Jan record low C = 7.8
| Feb record low C = 6.7
| Mar record low C = 7.2
| Apr record low C = 0.0
| May record low C = -1.2
| Jun record low C = -3.9
| Jul record low C = -5.6
| Aug record low C = -3.6
| Sep record low C = -2.2
| Oct record low C = 2.2
| Nov record low C = 1.8
| Dec record low C = 7.2
| Jan avg record high C = 39.9
| Feb avg record high C = 38.7
| Mar avg record high C = 37.0
| Apr avg record high C = 34.1
| May avg record high C = 30.5
| Jun avg record high C = 28.1
| Jul avg record high C = 28.0
| Aug avg record high C = 30.8
| Sep avg record high C = 34.8
| Oct avg record high C = 37.6
| Nov avg record high C = 38.8
| Dec avg record high C = 40.0
| year avg record high C = 41.7
| Jan avg record low C = 19.2
| Feb avg record low C = 19.1
| Mar avg record low C = 16.9
| Apr avg record low C = 12.6
| May avg record low C = 7.1
| Jun avg record low C = 4.1
| Jul avg record low C = 3.7
| Aug avg record low C = 4.3
| Sep avg record low C = 8.2
| Oct avg record low C = 11.8
| Nov avg record low C = 15.0
| Dec avg record low C = 17.7
| year avg record low C = 2.7
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 83.1
| Feb precipitation mm = 83.7
| Mar precipitation mm = 58.1
| Apr precipitation mm = 30.5
| May precipitation mm = 20.9
| Jun precipitation mm = 29.3
| Jul precipitation mm = 19.0
| Aug precipitation mm = 19.8
| Sep precipitation mm = 25.5
| Oct precipitation mm = 47.9
| Nov precipitation mm = 58.5
| Dec precipitation mm = 81.0
| year precipitation mm = 559.0
| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 5.6
| Feb precipitation days = 5.7
| Mar precipitation days = 4.2
| Apr precipitation days = 2.9
| May precipitation days = 2.0
| Jun precipitation days = 3.0
| Jul precipitation days = 1.8
| Aug precipitation days = 1.9
| Sep precipitation days = 2.1
| Oct precipitation days = 3.9
| Nov precipitation days = 5.3
| Dec precipitation days = 5.7
| Jan afthumidity = 41
| Feb afthumidity = 45
| Mar afthumidity = 37
| Apr afthumidity = 36
| May afthumidity = 37
| Jun afthumidity = 41
| Jul afthumidity = 36
| Aug afthumidity = 32
| Sep afthumidity = 30
| Oct afthumidity = 31
| Nov afthumidity = 33
| Dec afthumidity = 36
| Jan dew point C = 17.0
| Feb dew point C = 17.7
| Mar dew point C = 14.5
| Apr dew point C = 11.5
| May dew point C = 8.9
| Jun dew point C = 7.5
| Jul dew point C = 5.7
| Aug dew point C = 5.7
| Sep dew point C = 6.9
| Oct dew point C = 9.5
| Nov dew point C = 12.0
| Dec dew point C = 14.5
| source 1 = Bureau of Meteorology (Dew point for 3pm){{cite web
|url = http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_035264_All.shtml
|title = Emerald Airport Climate Statistics (1992-2024)
|publisher = Bureau of Meteorology
|access-date = July 12, 2024
}}
|url = http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_035027_All.shtml
|title = Emerald Airport Climate Statistics (1883-1992)
|publisher = Bureau of Meteorology
|access-date = July 12, 2024
}}
|url = http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/data/
|title = Climate data online (Site numbers: 035264, 035027)
|publisher = Bureau of Meteorology
|access-date = 30 Jun 2025}}
}}
= Flooding =
Some of the recorded floods to have occurred in the region include 1863, 1864, 1868, 1870, 1871, 1872, 1875, 1876, 1878, 1882, 1887, 1890, 1894, 1896, 1898, 1906, 1912, 1918, and 1950 (when {{convert|1103.77|mm}} rain was recorded in Queensland). 1956 was the wettest year on record with {{convert|1032.29|mm}} rainfall, and the 1970s also had similar rainfall to the 1860s and 1870s.{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}
Prior to the 1990s, flood damage to residential properties was almost non-existent.{{citation needed|date=June 2011}} The biggest impact of flooding of the Nogoa River in Emerald itself was that one side of Emerald was cut off from the other and caravans at the Carinya Caravan Park would be towed to higher ground each time the Nogoa River rose, to prevent the caravans from being completely submerged. This caravan park is now the site of the Centro Property where Coles Supermarket and other businesses operate. A former swamp area is now part of Kidd Street (a housing development) which was an old river course. The watercourse that extended along the back of the hospital, past the rear of Woolworths and past the Information Centre has been converted into a channel with a concrete section on one side near the information centre, reducing the channel in size by approximately two-thirds. This area has been allowed to be developed in the vicinity of Creek Street.{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/01/22/2144247.htm?section=justin |title=Emerald engulfed by spreading flood waters |access-date=22 October 2009 |date=22 January 2008 |work=ABC News Online |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106231500/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/01/22/2144247.htm?section=justin |archive-date=6 January 2010 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}
Fairbairn Dam overflowed for the first time in 17 years on 19 January 2008.{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/01/19/2142291.htm |title=Overflowing dam to supply years of water to Emerald district |access-date=22 October 2009 |date=19 January 2008 |work=ABC News Online |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119180856/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/01/19/2142291.htm |archive-date=19 November 2010 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} Major flooding in Emerald occurred a few days later as the Nogoa River broke its banks. The floods resulted in 1,000 houses being affected and more than 2,500 people being evacuated. The 2008 floods did not reach the heights of flooding in previous years.{{citation needed|date=June 2011}}
Demographics
In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, the locality of Emerald had a population of 14,356.{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC30982|name=Emerald (SSC)|access-date=20 October 2018|quick=on}}
In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the locality of Emerald had a population of 14,904. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 5% of the population. 77% of people were born in Australia. The next most common countries of birth were New Zealand (4%), Philippines (1.7%), South Africa (1.4%) and England (1.1%). 83% of people spoke only English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Afrikaans at 0.9%, and Tongan at 0.8%. 36.9% of people identified as non-religious, followed by 21.8% Catholic, and 10.6% Anglican.{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL30973|name=Emerald (SAL)|access-date=28 June 2022|quick=on}}
Heritage listings
Emerald has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
- Emerald railway station, Clermont Street (Capricorn Highway){{cite QHR|15265|Emerald Railway Station Complex|600490|access-date=7 July 2013}}
Economy
Emerald is a service town for a large number of industries in the area. Extensive coal mining operations are carried out in the district, including at Kestrel coal mine, Gregory coal mine and Ensham coal mine. Cotton is grown in the area, and is processed at the Yamala Cotton Gin, while other agricultural activities include grape, citrus and grain growing.
Emerald Solar Park is immediately west of the town ({{coord|-23.51|148.14|region:AU-QLD_type:landmark|name=Emerald Solar Park}}) and generates up to 74MW of electricity.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}
Education
Emerald State School is a government primary (Preparatory to Year 6) school for boys and girls on the eastern corner of Anakie Street and School Lane ({{coord|-23.5237|148.1605|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Emerald State School}}).{{cite web|date=9 July 2018|title=State and non-state school details|url=https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121065959/https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997|archive-date=21 November 2018|access-date=21 November 2018|publisher=Queensland Government}}{{Cite web |date=2020-11-29 |title=Emerald State School |url=https://emeraldss.eq.edu.au/ |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=Emerald State School |language=en}}{{cite web|title=Emerald State School|url=https://www.emeraldss.eq.edu.au|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130428012021/http://emeraldss.eq.edu.au/|archive-date=28 April 2013|access-date=21 November 2018}} In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 316 students with 25 teachers (21 full-time equivalent) and 14 non-teaching staff (8 full-time equivalent).{{cite web|title=ACARA School Profile 2017|url=http://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-20172c7b12404c94637ead88ff00003e0139.xlsx?sfvrsn=0|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122010027/http://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-20172c7b12404c94637ead88ff00003e0139.xlsx?sfvrsn=0|archive-date=22 November 2018|access-date=22 November 2018}}
Emerald North State School is a government primary (Early Childhood to Year 6) school for boys and girls at Campbell Street ({{coord|-23.5132|148.1641|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Emerald North State School}}).{{Cite web |date=2022-12-09 |title=Emerald North State School |url=https://emeraldnorthss.eq.edu.au/ |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=Emerald North State School |language=en}}{{cite web|title=Emerald North State School|url=https://www.emernortss.eq.edu.au|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130421030245/http://www.emernortss.eq.edu.au/|archive-date=21 April 2013|access-date=21 November 2018}} In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 249 students with 25 teachers (23 full-time equivalent) and 29 non-teaching staff (18 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program.
Denison State School is a government primary (Preparatory to Year 6) school for boys and girls at 16 Gray Street ({{coord|-23.5322|148.1512|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Denison State School}}).{{Cite web |date=2020-12-07 |title=Denison State School |url=https://denisonss.eq.edu.au/ |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=Denison State School |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Our school |url=https://denisonss.eq.edu.au/our-school |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218123308/https://denisonss.eq.edu.au/our-school |archive-date=18 December 2022 |access-date=18 December 2022 |website=Denison State School}} In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 497 students with 36 teachers (33 full-time equivalent) and 20 non-teaching staff (14 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program.
Capricornia School of Distance Education is a government primary and secondary (Early Childhood to Year 12) school for boys and girls at the corner Gray and Gladstone Streets ({{coord|-23.5323|148.1520|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Capricornia School of Distance Education}}).{{Cite web |date=2022-09-04 |title=Capricornia School of Distance Education |url=https://capricorniasde.eq.edu.au/ |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=Capricornia School of Distance Education |language=en}}{{cite web|title=Capricornia School of Distance Education|url=https://www.capricorniasde.eq.edu.au|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130425195927/http://www.capricorniasde.eq.edu.au/|archive-date=25 April 2013|access-date=21 November 2018}} In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 775 students with 72 teachers (64 full-time equivalent) and 21 non-teaching staff (15 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program. The school operates from the Denison State School campus.
Emerald State High School is a government secondary (7–12) school for boys and girls at Old Airport Drive ({{coord|-23.5136|148.1582|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Emerald State High School}}).{{Cite web |date=2022-09-13 |title=Emerald State High School |url=https://emeraldshs.eq.edu.au/ |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=Emerald State High School |language=en}}{{cite web|title=Emerald State High School|url=https://www.emeraldshs.eq.edu.au|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621101839/http://www.emeraldshs.eq.edu.au/|archive-date=21 June 2012|access-date=21 November 2018}} In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 780 students with 62 teachers (59 full-time equivalent) and 33 non-teaching staff (22 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program.{{cite web|title=Emerald SHS - Special Education Program|url=https://www.emeraldshs.eq.edu.au|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621101839/http://www.emeraldshs.eq.edu.au/|archive-date=21 June 2012|access-date=21 November 2018}}
St Patrick's Catholic Primary School is a Catholic primary (Preparatory to Year 6) school for boys and girls at 41 Yamala Street ({{coord|-23.5233|148.1621|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=St Patrick's Catholic Primary School}}).{{cite web|title=St Patrick's Catholic Primary School|url=https://www.stpatricksemerald.com.au|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120122624/http://www.stpatricksemerald.com.au/|archive-date=20 November 2018|access-date=21 November 2018}} In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 491 students with 31 teachers (29 full-time equivalent) and 16 non-teaching staff (9 full-time equivalent).
St Brigid's Catholic Primary School is a Catholic primary (Preparatory to Year 6) school for boys and girls at 6311 Gregory Highway ({{coord|-23.5597|148.1696|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=St Brigid's Catholic Primary School}}).{{Cite web |title=Home {{!}} St Brigid's Catholic Primary School Emerald |url=https://www.sberok.catholic.edu.au/ |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=St Brigid's Emerald |language=en}}{{cite web|title=St Brigid's Catholic Primary School|url=https://www.rok.catholic.edu.au|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010203103/http://www.rok.catholic.edu.au/|archive-date=10 October 2018|access-date=21 November 2018}} In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 202 students with 16 teachers (15 full-time equivalent) and 8 non-teaching staff (5 full-time equivalent).
Marist College Emerald is a Catholic secondary (7–12) school for boys and girls at 30 Jeppesen Drive ({{coord|-23.5435|148.1592|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Marist College}}).{{cite web|title=Marist College|url=https://www.maristcollegeemerald.com.au|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122081304/http://www.maristcollegeemerald.com.au/|archive-date=22 November 2018|access-date=21 November 2018}} In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 569 students with 50 teachers (47 full-time equivalent) and 25 non-teaching staff (19 full-time equivalent).
Emerald Christian College is a private primary and secondary (Preparatory to Year 12) school for boys and girls at 6373 Gregory Highway ({{coord|-23.5528|148.1708|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Emerald Christian College}}).{{cite web|title=Emerald Christian College|url=https://www.ecc.qld.edu.au|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127041415/http://www.ecc.qld.edu.au/|archive-date=27 January 2019|access-date=21 November 2018}} In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 196 students with 22 teachers (20 full-time equivalent) and 18 non-teaching staff (10 full-time equivalent).
Ontrack College Emerald is a private primary and secondary (7–10) school at 114 Borilla Street ({{coord|-23.5266|148.1614|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Ontrack}}).{{Cite web |title=Ontrack College Emerald Home |url=https://www.ontrack.qld.edu.au/ |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=ONTRACK COLLEGE |language=en}}{{Cite web|title=ONTRACK|url=https://www.ontrack.qld.edu.au/|access-date=2019-11-28|website=ONTRACK|language=en|archive-date=17 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917041243/https://www.ontrack.qld.edu.au/|url-status=live}} It seeks to provide for students fwho have disengaged from mainstream schools. In 2023, the school had an enrolment of 25 students with teachers and 2 non-teaching staff (1.6 full-time equivalent).{{Cite web |title=Annual Report 2024 (based on 2023 data) |url=https://www.ontrack.qld.edu.au/annual-report.html |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=ONTRACK COLLEGE |page=20 |language=en}}
Central Queensland University has a campus in Emerald.
Amenities
Central Highlands Regional Council operates Emerald Library at 44 Borilla Street, Emerald.{{Cite web|date=8 September 2016|title=Emerald Library|url=http://plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/networking/directory-of-public-libraries/branches/central_highlands/emerald_library|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131140832/http://plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/networking/directory-of-public-libraries/branches/central_highlands/emerald_library|archive-date=31 January 2018|access-date=31 January 2018|website=Public Libraries Connect|publisher=State Library of Queensland|df=dmy-all}}
The Emerald branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at the QCWA Rooms at 45 Borilla Street.{{Cite web|title=Branch Locations|url=http://www.qcwa.org.au/branch-locations/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226010724/http://www.qcwa.org.au/branch-locations/|archive-date=26 December 2018|access-date=26 December 2018|publisher=Queensland Country Women's Association|df=dmy-all}}
Emerald Uniting Church is at 49 Yamala Streets (corner of Borilla Street, {{Coord|-23.5236|148.1631|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Emerald Uniting Church}}).{{cite web|title=Find a Church|url=https://ucaqld.com.au/find-a-church/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024234524/https://ucaqld.com.au/find-a-church/|archive-date=24 October 2020|access-date=22 November 2020|website=Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod}}{{Cite web|title=Emerald Uniting Church|url=https://www.emeraldunitingchurch.org.au/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-17|language=en-US|archive-date=23 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323100757/https://www.emeraldunitingchurch.org.au/}}
Calvary Christian Church is at 11 Gladstone Street ({{Coord|-23.5305|148.1544|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Calvary church}}).{{Cite web |date=2020-06-24 |title=Emerald {{!}} Calvary Christian Church |url=https://calvarycc.global/emerald/ |access-date=2022-08-02 |language=en-US |archive-date=14 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614084347/https://calvarycc.global/emerald/ |url-status=live }}
Attractions
File:Emerald Visitors Centre, 2017.jpg
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 sapphire fields located here are the largest in the southern hemisphere.{{cite book|last=Penguin Books Australia|title=Explore Queensland|publisher=Penguin Books Australia|year=2002|isbn=0-14-300015-2|location=Camberwell, Victoria|pages=40}}
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 {{Convert|150|km2||abbr=}}, making it one of the largest artificial lakes in the country. When full, it holds three times 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.{{Cite web|title=Fairbairn Dam, Lake Maraboon|url=https://www.queensland.com/en-au/attraction/fairbairn-dam-lake-maraboon|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115111131/https://www.queensland.com/en-au/attraction/fairbairn-dam-lake-maraboon|archive-date=15 November 2019|access-date=27 January 2020|website=Queensland Uncovered}}{{Cite web |date=2019 |title=Nogoa Mackenzie Scheme |url=https://www.sunwater.com.au/schemes/nogoa-mackenzie/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127024336/https://www.sunwater.com.au/schemes/nogoa-mackenzie/ |archive-date=27 January 2020 |access-date=27 January 2020 |website=Sunwater}}
File:The Big Easel, Emerald.jpg
Erected in 1999, the world's largest Vincent van Gogh sunflower painting is situated in Moreton Park.{{cite web | url=https://www.queensland.com/au/en/things-to-do/attractions/p-56b25fb0aeeeaaf773cf23b3-van-gogh-sunflower-painting | title=Van Gogh Sunflower Painting | access-date=24 November 2022 | archive-date=24 November 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124110547/https://www.queensland.com/au/en/things-to-do/attractions/p-56b25fb0aeeeaaf773cf23b3-van-gogh-sunflower-painting | url-status=live }} The structure is {{Convert|25|m}} high.{{cite web | url=https://www.centralhighlands.com.au/the-story-of-sunflowers/ | title=The story of Sunflowers | date=20 July 2021 | access-date=24 November 2022 | archive-date=24 November 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124110544/https://www.centralhighlands.com.au/the-story-of-sunflowers/ | url-status=live }} It is one of seven works around the world by Cameron Cross in which he reproduces Van Gogh's sunflowers for the Van Gogh Project.{{cite web |title=Van Gogh Sunflower Painting |url=https://www.queensland.com/au/en/things-to-do/attractions/p-56b25fb0aeeeaaf773cf23b3-van-gogh-sunflower-painting |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124110547/https://www.queensland.com/au/en/things-to-do/attractions/p-56b25fb0aeeeaaf773cf23b3-van-gogh-sunflower-painting |archive-date=24 November 2022 |access-date=24 November 2022}} He chose Emerald as a site for his work as it is a sunflower-growing area and has an annual sunflower festival. Being an oversized reproduction, it is considered one of Australia's Big Things.
Events
Emerald holds an annual sunflower festival in the week before Easter.{{Cite web |title=Central Highlands Easter Sunflower Festival |url=https://www.facebook.com/CentralHighlandsEasterSunflowerFestival/ |access-date=2024-05-24 |publisher= |via=Facebook}}
Media
= Newspapers =
Emerald Today, published each Friday, is the local Emerald newspaper. The newspaper focuses on local news and sport.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}
= Radio =
Emerald is served by two local commercial stations, one local ABC station and one local community station.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}
4HI is the oldest local radio station in Emerald, beginning transmissions from their local studio in November 1981. The station offers local breakfast and drive programming from their Emerald studio and carries nationally syndicated programming from 2GB Sydney.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}
In the late 1990s, youth-orientated commercial station Hot FM was launched in Emerald. Even though the station plays local commercials and imaging on a local frequency, no programming on the station originates from Emerald. Until 2013, the breakfast program which aired on Hot FM in Emerald was a regionally networked program from Townsville. It was subsequently replaced with the Hot FM CQ breakfast program that originates from Gladstone.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}
Emerald is served by ABC Capricornia, the region's ABC Local Radio station. ABC Capricornia is broadcast on a local frequency, but no programming originates from Emerald as the station's local breakfast and morning programs are relayed to the Emerald transmitter from Rockhampton.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}
Emerald is also served by local community radio station, 4EEE.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}
= Television =
Emerald receives all available ABC and commercial television stations from Rockhampton, and therefore local news bulletins Seven News and WIN News are broadcast to Emerald, with the bulletins occasionally featuring local news from the Central Highlands region.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}
Sport
The most popular sport in Emerald is rugby league. The town has two teams, the Emerald Tigers and the Emerald Brothers, both of whom compete in the Central Highlands Rugby League competition, administered by the Queensland Rugby League.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}
Notable residents
- Ethan Bullemor, Australian rugby league player
- Damian Gibson, Australian rugby league player
- Mitchell Langerak, Australian footballer
- Alan McIndoe, Australian rugby league player
See also
{{portal|Queensland}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Emerald, Queensland}}
- {{cite web|url=http://queenslandplaces.com.au/emerald|title=Emerald|publisher=Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland|website=Queensland Places}}
- [https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-town-emerald-1985.jpg Town map of Emerald, 1985]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070829222301/http://emeraldshs.qld.edu.au/ Emerald State High School Homepage]
{{Central Highlands Region}}
{{Central Queensland}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Mining towns in Queensland
Category:Central Highlands Region
Category:1879 establishments in Australia