Baralaba

Baralaba is located in the central part of the state, less than a kilometer east of the Dawson River, 143 km from Rockhampton , 150 km from Gladstone and 694 km from Brisbane . The city is located in the Bowen Basin coal basin, one of Australia’s largest coal deposits . About 14 kilometers from Baralaba is Mount Ramsay .

The history of the city began in 1901 with a study of the surrounding area by the Dawson River Anthracite Prospecting Company , a coal mine exploration and development company. Mining has grown to an industrial scale with the opening of a state coal mine in 1916 and the discovery of a gold deposit in 1921 by Mount Morgan Gold Mining Company . A factor in the development of the mining industry in the area was the railway line built in 1917 from Rannes to Baralaba. The first wish of the residents of the young city was the opening of a school for their children. A year later, a temporary tent school was opened, and ten years later, the building of the first permanent school was built, now the administration is located in it.

The transfer of Mount Morgan to Dawson Valley Coal Co has brought stability to the settlement. The growth of Baralaba's infrastructure took place in a somewhat unusual way. At first, in 1924, the Anglican and Catholic churches were built. Then, in 1926, the hospital opened. And only two years later the city hotel was built. In April of the same year, 1928, a major flood occurred, leading to the collapse of the state coal mine and its subsequent closure. The development of farming was held back by the constant struggle against prickly pear , but by the beginning of the 1930s, the destruction of this plant was in full swing and reached its peak in the middle of the decade. The land with the expired lease began to be sold in the first post-war years, which contributed to the emergence of local farmers and livestock breeders in the 1940s .

In 1969, coal mining was stopped, and since then the population of Baralaba has decreased. The city was reoriented to produce agricultural products, mainly for growing sorghum , wheat and cotton . In 1976 , after the construction of the Neville Hewitt Weir dam on the Dawson River, a water supply network appeared in Baralaba. The city was not large, but there were two banks , two department stores , two bakeries and three textile stores.

Baralaba ( High Mountain ) - as the local indigenous people called the area near Mount Ramsay in the valley of the Dawson River. On January 15, 1917, the Department of Railways assigned this indigenous name to the new railway station in the mining village, which then extended to the settlement itself.

In previous years, two coal mines operated in the city district, which were subsequently closed. However, in 2005, coal mining at one of these mines was resumed. Now it is the property of Cockatoo Coal Limited . The company plans to increase the amount of coal mined. For the period from December 12, 2008 to June 30, 2009, 238.784 tons of coal were mined at the Baralaba mine. ^[one]

Today, the local economy is focused on beef production. Also of some importance in the economy of the city is the cultivation of grain crops and the woodworking industry.

Transport

The city is located on the Baralaba-Woorabinda Road and Baralaba-Rannes Road . Leichhardt Highway is 33 km east of Baralaba. The Rans - Tiodor railway line runs through the city. Not far from the city is an aerodrome receiving private and commercial aircraft.

The only medical institution in the city is the Baralaba Hospital . The closest medical facilities are Rockhampton Hospital, 125 kilometers away, and The Prince Charles Hospital , 600 kilometers away. Directly in the hospital itself, assistance is provided in such areas as: general medicine, pediatrics , accidents and emergencies, palliative care , radiography and pharmaceuticals . In April 2008 , the Baralaba authorities had to evacuate the hospital due to the large number of red-backed spiders found in its building, belonging to the genus of black widows . ^[2]

Ecology

In the vicinity of the city there is a mini-plant for the processing of certain types of waste, such as glass and motor oil.

The city has a primary and secondary school ( Baralaba State School ). The school provides 10-year education, as well as pre-school education for children from 5 years.

The city has a golf course, tennis courts, a bowls course, an outdoor exhibition, and sailing and water skiing are possible on the river. Climbers can enjoy breathtaking views from the top of Mount Ramsay. Visitors to the city are invited to visit an abandoned coal mine and a historic village - a reconstruction of the miners' village at the beginning of the 20th century. Also, many city guests come here for fishing to the dam on the Dawson River (every October there is a competition for fishing Saratoga Classic Fishing Comp ) and for walks in the bush . The Baralaba show is held in the first week of May. An annual art exhibition is held in the city.

In Baralaba and the surrounding area there are two hotels and a campsite :

• Baralaba Hotel
• Country Caravan Park Cabins Baralaba - Camping on the road to Vurabinda.
• Mayella-Farmstay-Hotel ( Myella Farmstay Hotel ) - a ranch hotel, located in the countryside and specializing in agritourism . Here you can temporarily become a resident of the Australian outback: ride a horse, a motorcycle, milk cows, watch a kangaroo in its natural habitat, and much more.

• Queensland / Baralaba Locations
• Queensland / Baralab Government (link unavailable )
• Banana County Council
• Australia Website
• Queensland Health