Biloela, Queensland

Infobox Australian Place | type = town
name = Biloela
state = qld


caption = The Silo, Biloela
lga = Banana Shire Council
postcode = 4715
pop = 5,371
est =
elevation= 175.0
maxtemp = 28.3
mintemp = 12.9
rainfall = 683.3
stategov = Callide
fedgov = Flynn
dist1 = 142
dist2 = 549
location1= Rockhampton
location2= Brisbane

Biloela is a rural town in Central Queensland, Australia. It is situated 120 kilometres inland from the port city of Gladstone at the junction of the Burnett and Dawson highways. At the 2006 census, Biloela had a population of 5,371.Census 2006 AUS|id=UCL305200|name=Biloela (Urban Centre/Locality)|accessdate=2007-10-26] Biloela is the administrative centre for the Banana Shire, which has an area of 15,729 square kilometres.

Biloela and the Banana Shire, dubbed by locals as a 'great place to grow', has a diverse range of industries. Extensive grazing and cropping concerns are found in the area. Cotton, sorghum and wheat are grown in the area. The Callide Power Stations lie just north of the town. Coal was discovered on Callide Creek in 1891 ["The Callide Coalfields Branch Railway" Kerr, J.D. Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, October, 1978 pp210-222] and is now mined at the nearby Callide ["Biloela - Railhead for the Callide" Milne, Rod Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, October, 1992 pp241-247] and Boundary Hill mines which supply the power station. A large abattoir is also situated in the town.

Biloela is aboriginal for 'Big White Bird' (often confused with 'white cockatoo', since these are the only 'big white birds' in the area).

Biloela has 3 primary schools; Redeemer Lutheran Primary, St Joseph's Catholic Primary,and Biloela State Primary. It has only one high school (Biloela State High School).

The town has over a dozen choices in accommodation (400 beds), many dining options, two main shopping streets, including a modern air conditioned shopping centre with many specialty stores.

The closest fresh water depository is the Callide Dam, however it is often well below full capacity due to the lack of rainfall in the area. Despite this, it acts as a great escape for locals who participate in water skiing, camping, swimming and fishing at the dam. The Callide Dam also plays host to the annual Callide Dam Fishing Competition in which a number of introduced stock are caught each year. In particular, the dam is a haven for Eel-Tailed Catfish, Yellowbelly, Saratoga and Barramundi. The largest ever Barramundi recorded at the fishing competition measured 98cm long.

Various sporting organisations are active within the community. Such clubs include; Panthers Rugby League Club, Biloela Rugby Union Club, Biloela Touch Football Association, Callide Valley Tennis Association, Biloela Golf Club, Biloela Cricket Association, Biloela Valley's Football Association (soccer), Biloela Swimming Club and the Biloela Police Citizens Youth Club.

ee also

*HMAS Biloela
*Thangool Airport

References