Netherdale, Queensland
Geography
Netherdale is the most western locality of the Pioneer Valley. The river does not pass through Netherdale but Netherdale is within its drainage basin. The Mackay–Eungella Road passes from the east to the west through the locality after which it climbs the Clarke Range to Eungella.
The north and south of the locality are mountainous (part of the Clarke Range) and rise to 890 metres and 670 metres respectively. Between them lie the "valley" through which the road runs at an elevation of 140 metres (in the east) to 180 metres (in the west). The land use in the valley is a mixture of sugar cane and grazing like most of the Pioneer Valley. There is no development of the mountainous north and south of the locality.
History
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9e/Netherdale_district_circa_1931.jpg/220px-Netherdale_district_circa_1931.jpg)
The Mackay Railway was extended from Finch Hatton (to the west) to Netherdale in 1911. The locality was served by two stations:
- Okuloo railway station (21°08′19″S 148°33′49″E / 21.1385°S 148.5637°E)
- Netherdale railway station (21°08′28″S 148°32′06″E / 21.1412°S 148.5351°E), also known as Eungella Range railway station
The line and the stations were closed in 1977 as part of the overall closure of the Mackay Railway.
The Netherdale State School opened on 24 January 1914, having been originally proposed to be called the Eungella Range State School. It closed on 31 December 1963.
On 21 April 1928, there was a stump capping ceremony for the Netherton Methodist Church. On Saturday 6 June 1928 the church was officially opened.
Netherdale was within the Shire of Mirani until the shire was amalgamated into the Mackay Region in 2008.
Demographics
In the 2016 census Netherdale had a population of 111 people.
In the 2021 census, Netherdale had a population of 121 people.
Attractions
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7e/Pioneer_Valley_from_Peases_Lookout.jpg/220px-Pioneer_Valley_from_Peases_Lookout.jpg)
Peases Lookout offers panoramic views of the Pioneer River Valley. Although within the boundaries of the locality, the lookout can only be accessed from Dalrymple Road in neighbouring Eungella (21°07′00″S 148°31′00″E / 21.1166°S 148.5166°E). It was named after Percy Pease, a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.
Notable residents
- Gwyn Hanssen Pigott, ceramic artist
References
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Netherdale (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ "Netherdale – locality in Mackay Region (entry 46816)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
- ^ "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
- ^ "Railway stations and sidings - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 2 October 2020. Archived from the original on 5 October 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
- ^ Mackay Region Pilot Heritage Study, p. Appendix 1 - 13
- ^ Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
- ^ Mackay Region Pilot Heritage Study, pp. Appendix 1 - 14, 19
- ^ "Stump-capping". Daily Mercury. Vol. 61, no. 4854. Queensland, Australia. 12 May 1928. p. 5. Archived from the original on 20 January 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Bazaars--Sale of work". Daily Mercury. Vol. 61, no. 4894. Queensland, Australia. 29 June 1928. p. 10. Archived from the original on 20 January 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Netherdale (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
- ^ The Mackay Region Visitor Guide. Mackay Regional Council. 2016. p. 26.
- ^ "Peases Lookout – lookout in Mackay Regional (entry 26272)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
Sources
- "Mackay Region Pilot Heritage Study" (PDF). Mackay Regional Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 April 2019. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
Further reading
- Finch Hatton State School (2009), 100 years of memories : the school on the hill, Finch Hatton School, retrieved 28 October 2016 — includes the history of Netherdale State School
External links
Media related to Netherdale, Queensland at Wikimedia Commons