- Emerald, Queensland
Infobox Australian Place | type = town
name = Emerald
state = qld
caption = Location of Emerald in Queensland (red)
lga =Central Highlands Regional Council
postcode = 4720
est =
pop = 15,500
elevation= 189
maxtemp = 29.9
mintemp = 16.4
rainfall = 487.9
stategov = Gregory
fedgov = Flynn
dist1 = 883
dir1 = NW
location1=Brisbane
dist2 = 271
dir2 = W
location2= Rockhampton
dist3 = 416
dir3 = E
location3= Longreach
dist4 = 403
dir4 = N
location4= RomaEmerald (coord|23|31|S|148|09|E|type:city_region:AU-QLD) is a town located in the Central Highlands district of
Queensland ,Australia . At the 2006 census, Emerald had a population of 10,999.Census 2006 AUS
id=UCL320000
name=Emerald (Urban Centre/Locality)
accessdate=2007-12-10
quick=on] Although with recent booms in agriculture, mining and their associated services the current population is closer to 17,000, a substantial increase in growth from the 1.2% average in the early 21st century.Fact|date=December 2007The
Tropic of Capricorn runs through the town. Emerald lies on theNogoa River , a tributary of the Fitzroy River. The town lies almost 300 kilometres from the coast, north west of the city of Rockhampton on the junction of the Capricorn and Gregory highways.Emerald is also the business centre for the
Central Highlands Regional Council .Description
Emerald is a service town for a large number of industries in the area. Extensive coal mining operations are carried out in the district.
Cotton is grown in the area, and is processed at the Yamala Cotton Gin, while other agricultural activities includegrape , citrus and grain growing.To the west of the town is an area known as
The Gemfields , with small towns such as Sapphire and Rubyvale indicating the type of gems found there. Thesapphire fields located here are the largest in the southern hemisphere. [cite book |title=Explore Queensland |last=Pengiun Books Australia |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=2002 |publisher=Pengiun Books Australia |location=Camberwell, Victoria |isbn=0143000152 |pages=40 ]The
Fairbairn Dam , a short drive to the south of the town, was opened in1972 , and holds back the waters ofLake Maraboon . Thelake covers an area of up to 150 km², making it one of the largest artificial lakes in the country. When full, it holds more water thanSydney Harbour . This extensive water supply has allowed the cotton industry to flourish in the area, and the lake is a boon for local water sports.Education
Emerald has seven schools: five primary schools and two secondary schools. There are three public primary schools, Denison State School, Emerald North State School and Emerald State School.
Marist College Emerald , St Patrick's and the Christen college are private schools. The only public high school in Emerald is Emerald State High School. The small community of Gindie exists approximately 23 km south of Emerald on the Gregory Highway. It is also home to a primary school established in 1897, Gindie State School.Central Queensland University has a campus in Emerald.See also
*
Emerald Airport References
External links
* [http://www.emerald.pcq.org.au Emerald Presbyterian Church]
* [http://www.emeraldshs.qld.edu.au/ Emerald State High School Homepage]
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