Western Downs Region

Western Downs Region is a local government area in Queensland, Australia. The Western Downs Regional Council manages an area of 37,937 square kilometres (14,648 sq mi), which is slightly smaller than Switzerland, although with a population of 34,467 in June 2018, it is over 228 times less densely populated.

The area is home to prime farming land and thus agriculture is a major industry in the area. Dalby, the biggest town in the region is home to the second largest cattle saleyards in Australia. The Dalby Saleyards process over 200,000 cattle annually in its facility which is comparable to Rockhampton and Casino.

The Western Downs Regional Council's Corporate Office is situated at 30 Marble Street, Dalby.

In the 2021 census, the Western Downs Region had a population of 33,843 people.

History

Baranggum (also known as Barrunggam, Barunggam Parrungoom, Murrumgama) is an Australian Aboriginal language spoken by the Baranggum people. The Baranggum language region includes the landscape within the local government boundaries of the Western Downs Regional Council, particularly Dalby, Tara, Jandowae and west towards Chinchilla.

Western Downs Region was created in March 2008 as a result of the report of the Local Government Reform Commission released in July 2007.

Prior to the 2008 amalgamation, the new Region, located in the Darling Downs region, consisted the entire area of five previous local government areas:

• the Town of Dalby;
• the Shire of Chinchilla;
• the Shire of Murilla;
• the Shire of Tara;
• the Shire of Wambo;
• and Division 2 of the Shire of Taroom.

The report recommended that the new local government area should not be divided into wards and elect ten councillors and a mayor. The report estimated that the resident population in 2006 was 30,018 and the operating budget was A$74 million.

Originally called Dalby Region, a name change to Western Downs was approved in August 2009. The name change was greeted positively by residents as they felt the name was more inclusive and a better representation of the area. The name "Western Downs" stems from the phrase Darling Downs, and as the name suggests; the area to the west of the downs.

Towns and localities

The Western Downs Region includes the following settlements:

¹ – shared with the Shire of Banana

Libraries

The Western Downs Regional Council operates public libraries at Bell, Chinchilla, Dalby, Jandowae, Meandarra, Miles, Moonie, Tara, and Wandoan.

Demographics

In the 2011 census (the first for the new region), the Western Downs Region had a population of 31,590 people, including the following sub-populations:

^* – shared with the Shire of Banana

In the 2016 census, the Western Downs Region had a population of 33,444 people.

In the 2021 census, the Western Downs Region had a population of 33,843 people.

Mayors and councillors

Mayors

• 2008–2016: Ray Brown*
• 2016–2024: Paul McVeigh
• 2024 - present: Andrew Smith

Councillors

2024

The councillors elected in 2024 were:

• Kylie Bourne- Deputy Mayor (2020–present)
• Peter Saxelby (2016–present)
• Kaye Maguire (2016–present)
• Megan James (2020 - present)
• George Moore (2020 - present)
• Greg Olm (2024–present)
• Sophie Bougoure (2024–present)
• Sam Condon (2024 - present)

*was representative of a region pre-amalgamation

References

External links

Media related to Western Downs Region at Wikimedia Commons

• Western Downs Regional Council
• Advance Western Downs