ISAAC COMMUNITY CHARACTERISTICS

The Isaac local government area spans an area of approximately 58,000 km2. The Isaac region is bordered by the local government areas of Mackay, Whitsunday, Rockhampton, Livingstone, Barcaldine, Banana, Charters Towers and Central Highlands. Located in Central Queensland, from the coast to the coalfields, Isaac is 1,000km north-west of Brisbane and 900km south of Cairns, with access to world class export infrastructure. Isaac Regional Council was formed in March 2008, as part of Queensland’s reform process to local government. The process amalgamated three Shires; Belyando, Broadsound and Nebo. The region has an estimated population of 20,940 residents (2016 Census) living in 17 townships and communities. Major towns include Clermont, Dysart and Moranbah with smaller townships located at Coppabella, Glenden, Middlemount, Nebo and St Lawrence. Our small communities consist of those at Carmila, Clairview, Clarke Creek, Greenhill, Ilbilbie, Kilcummin, Mackenzie River, Mistake Creek and Valkyrie. The region is characterised by a mix of strong industries, including coal and gas mining, cattle grazing, sugar cane and grain farming (ABS, 2016). The Isaac region has several new renewable energy projects such as solar farms and wind farms under construction or pending approval. Expanding industries include aquaculture, fruit and vegetable growing. Including non-residential workers on shift, the full-time equivalent population is estimated to be 30,385. The Isaac region consists of a variety of topographies ranging from those associated with coastal lowlands to hills and mountain ranges. The overall topography is a relatively flat landscape associated with areas of the central highlands. The coastline is made up of sandy beaches, estuaries and rocky outcrops. Moving inland the area remains low lying and tidal. Further west the flat areas give way to gently rolling hills, some areas of flat fertile land and rough hilly country. The land rises dramatically at the foothills of the Connors Range which forms a natural boundary between the coastal landscape and the western highlands. The major river systems in the region are the Connors and Isaac Rivers which are upstream tributaries of the Fitzroy Basin with flows through the Isaac townships of Nebo, Middlemount, Moranbah and Clermont. The Belyando River located in the west of the region is an upstream tributary of the Burdekin catchment.