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.
It covers an area of , and has existed as a local government entity since 1882.
In the , the Shire of Etheridge had a population of 714 people.
History
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. In 1891 it was reported that the divisional board had made no progress, perhaps because it covered a large area that was sparsely settled.
With the passage of the Local Authorities Act 1902, Einasleigh Division became the Shire of Einasleigh on 31 March 1903.
On 15 March 1919, it was renamed Shire of Etheridge.
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.
Demographics Year Population Notes 1933 1,085 1947 860 1954 815 1961 828 1966 936 1971 974 1976 940 1981 1,010 1986 1,210 1991 1,377 1996 1,273 1,431 851 893 799 714
Chairmen and mayors
1888: C. Battersby 1927: W. H. G. Gard 2008–2012: Warren Devlin 2012–2016: William Attwood 2016–2020: Warren Devlin 2020–present: Barry Gilbert Hughes
Current Council The current council was elected in the 2024 Queensland local election: +NamePositionBarry HughesMayorLaurell RoyesDeputy MayorIan CarrollSeven RyanIan Tincknell
References
External links University of Queensland: Queensland Places: Etheridge Shire