Barcoo Shire
It covers an area of 61,830 square kilometres (23,872.7 sq mi), and has existed as a local government entity since 1887. It is named for the Barcoo River which reaches a confluence with the Thomson River in the shire to form Cooper Creek.
The major industry in the shire is beef production and some opal mining. There has been some development of the known oil and gas reserves in the region.
In the 2021 census, the Shire of Barcoo had a population of 308 people.
History
Kuungkari (also known as Kungkari and Koonkerri) is a language of Western Queensland. The Kuungkari language region includes the landscape within the local government boundaries of Longreach Shire Council and Blackall-Tambo Shire Council.
The Barcoo Division was created on 24 December 1887 out of the eastern part of the Diamantina Division, and was subject to the Divisional Boards Act 1887.
In 1927, the council met at Stonehenge.
With the passage of the Local Authorities Act 1902, Barcoo Division became the Shire of Barcoo on 31 March 1903.
It subsequently lost areas when the shires of Isisford (1908) and Quilpie (1930) were incorporated.
Its present mayor, Sally O'Neil, has been in office since 2020.
Towns and localities
The Shire of Barcoo includes the following settlements:
Chairmen and mayors
 |
- 1927: H. J. Cameron
- 2000–2012: Bruce Scott (unopposed 2008)
- 2012–2016: Julie Groves (unopposed)
- 2016–2020 : Bruce Scott
- 2020–present: Sally Elizabeth O'Neil
Demographics
| Year | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1933 | 957 | |
| 1947 | 835 | |
| 1954 | 1,010 | |
| 1961 | 1,037 | |
| 1966 | 909 | |
| 1971 | 734 | |
| 1976 | 657 | |
| 1981 | 711 | |
| 1986 | 566 | |
| 1991 | 556 | |
| 1996 | 492 | |
| 2001 census | 576 | |
| 2006 census | 360 | |
| 2011 census | 350 | |
| 2016 census | 267 | |
| 2021 census | 308 |
Libraries
The Barcoo Shire Council operates public libraries at Jundah, Stonehenge, and Windorah.