Biggenden

Biggenden is a rural town and locality in the North Burnett Region, Queensland, Australia.[2][3] In the 2016 census, Biggenden had a population of 845 people.[1]

Biggenden
Queensland
Biggenden's main street
Biggenden is located in Queensland
Biggenden
Biggenden
Coordinates25.5113°S 152.0461°E / -25.5113; 152.0461
Population845 (2016 census)[1]
 • Density3.866/km2 (10.012/sq mi)
Established1889
Postcode(s)4621
Area218.6 km2 (84.4 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s)North Burnett Region
State electorate(s)Callide
Federal division(s)Hinkler
Localities around Biggenden:
Didcot Degilbo Woowoonga
Coalstoun Lakes Biggenden Lakeside
Dundarrah Stockhaven Boompa

Geography

Biggenden is on the Isis Highway 287 kilometres (178 mi) north-west of the state capital Brisbane, and 85 kilometres (53 mi) west of Maryborough.

History
Picture Theatre, Biggenden, Queensland, 1975
Picture Theatre, Biggenden, Queensland, 1975

The name is derived from the Kabi word bigindhan meaning a place of stringybark.[4][5]

Biggenden was founded in 1889 as a service centre to the short-lived goldrush towns of Paradise and Shamrock; and for coach passengers travelling west from Maryborough. The township, including the intriguingly named Live And Let Live Inn, moved to a new location alongside the railway station when the rail line arrived in 1891. Biggenden Post Office opened on 16 May 1891.[6]

Opening of the Biggenden CWA building, October 1928

Biggenden Provisional school opened on 9 May 1892 becoming Biggenden State School in 1900. In January 1953, the school experimented with offering high school subjects by correspondence. In 1958, a secondary school section was added.[7][8]

The Biggenden Methodist Church opened on Monday 23 May 1910.[9] In 1977 through the amalgamation that created the Uniting Church in Australia, it became Biggenden Uniting Church.[10]

In October 1928, the Biggenden branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association rooms were officially opened by J.C. Robertson, chairman of the Degilbo Shire Council.[11]

In the 2011 census, Biggenden had a population of 682 people.[12]

In the 2016 census, Biggenden had a population of 845 people.[1]

Economy
Biggenden Bismuth Mine, 1908
Mines in Biggenden, ca. 1926, Negative number 143174, John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland.

The Mt Biggenden mine provided employment to the local community for over a hundred years, before its magnetite iron ore operation closed in 1999.[13]

Primary production is the most significant industry in the Shire with beef and dairy cattle being predominant.[14] Other agricultural pursuits include grain crops, piggeries, peanuts, citrus and timber. The area is also rich in minerals. Biggenden Mine is located eight kilometres out of town off Ban Ban Springs Road. Gold, bismuth and more recently magnetite have been extracted from the mine. The township is also close to Coalstoun Lakes National Park and Mount Walsh National Park.

Paradise Dam

In November 2005, the Queensland Government opened the Paradise Dam, about 30 minutes north-west of Biggenden, on the Burnett River. The 300,000ML dam, which submerges the former gold mining town of the same name, is touted as securing the future of the nearby Bundaberg and Childers region, although no water will be available for residents of the Biggenden area. However, more than 400 jobs were created during its construction and the dam site is proving to be one of the shire's largest tourist attraction.[15] Artefacts and buildings removed from Paradise before the dam wall was built are now on display by the Biggenden Historical Society.

Amenities

Biggenden has a public library, swimming pool, bowling and golf club, memorial hall and showground.

The North Burnett Regional Council operates the Biggenden Library, located at 47 Edward Street, Biggenden.[16]

The Biggenden branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at the CWA Hall at 32 Edward Street.[17]

Biggenden Uniting Church is at 32 George Street (25.5102°S 152.0444°E / -25.5102; 152.0444).[18][19][20]

Education

Biggenden State School is a government primary and secondary (Prep-10) school for boys and girls at Frederick Street (25.5107°S 152.0474°E / -25.5107; 152.0474 (Biggenden State School)).[21][22] In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 143 students with 18 teachers (16 full-time equivalent) and 12 non-teaching staff (8 full-time equivalent).[23]

Heritage listings

Biggenden has a number of heritage-listed sites:

  • 8 Edward Street: former Biggenden Courthouse (now Biggenden Museum)[24]
  • 11 Edward Street & Airstrip Road: former Biggenden Butter Factory[24]
  • 32 Edward Street: Biggenden QCWA Building[24]

See also

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Biggenden (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  2. "Biggenden – town in North Burnett Region (entry 2545)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  3. "Biggenden – locality in North Burnett Region (entry 47364)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  4. "Biggenden (entry 2545)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  5. "Biggenden (entry 47364)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  6. Phoenix Auctions History. "Post Office List". Phoenix Auctions. Archived from the original on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  7. "Agency ID 4847, Biggenden State School". Queensland State Archives. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  8. "History". Biggenden State School. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  9. "Methodist Church at Biggenden". The Brisbane Courier. No. 16, 340. Queensland, Australia. 26 May 1910. p. 4. Retrieved 12 March 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. Blake, Thom. "Biggenden Methodist Church". Queensland religious places database. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  11. "Untitled". The Brisbane Courier. No. 22, 064. Queensland, Australia. 13 October 1928. p. 11. Archived from the original on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Biggenden". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  13. "A history of some mines of the Biggenden District | State Library Of Queensland". www.slq.qld.gov.au. 19 February 2021. Archived from the original on 19 May 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  14. "Biggenden is really booming". Fraser Coast Chronicle. The Maryborough Hervey Bay Newspaper Company. 9 December 2010. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  15. "Burnett Water". Paradise Dam Information Archive. Sunwater. Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-29.
  16. "Biggenden Library". Public Libraries Connect. Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  17. "Branch Locations". Queensland Country Women's Association. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  18. "Biggenden Uniting Church". Isis Congregations. Archived from the original on 21 February 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  19. "Biggenden Uniting Church". Churches Australia. Archived from the original on 22 May 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  20. "Find a church". Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  21. "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  22. "Biggenden State School". Archived from the original on 3 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  23. "ACARA School Profile 2017". Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  24. "North Burnett Local Heritage Register" (PDF). North Burnett Regional Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 August 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2019.

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