Dysart, Queensland

Dysart is a town and rural locality in the Isaac Region, Queensland, Australia.^[2][3] It is a service centre for mines and grazing properties in the district. In the 2021 census, the locality of Dysart had a population of 2,918 people.^[4] Most residents are employed by the coal mines.^{[citation needed]}

Dysart Queensland
Saraji coal mine, Dysart, 2012
Dysart
Coordinates	22°35′08″S 148°21′03″E / 22.5855°S 148.3508°E / -22.5855; 148.3508 (Dysart (town centre))
Population	2,738 (UCL 2021)^[1]
Postcode(s)	4745
Elevation	223 m (732 ft)
Area	3,459.4 km^2 (1,335.7 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	83.7 km (52 mi) SE of Moranbah 128 km (80 mi) NNE of Emerald 244 km (152 mi) SW of Mackay 318 km (198 mi) NW of Rockhampton 945 km (587 mi) NW of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Isaac Region
State electorate(s)	Burdekin
Federal division(s)	Capricornia
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 34 °C 93 °F 10 °C 50 °F 590 mm 23.2 in
Localities around Dysart: Winchester Gemini Mountains Coppabella Valkyrie Wolfang Cheeseborough Dysart May Downs Retro Lowestoff Cotherstone Mount Macarthur Belcong Middlemount Bundoora

Geography

Railways

The locality is served by the Goonyella railway network which connects the Bowen Basin coalfields with the coal wharves at Hay Point on the coast. The locality is served by numerous railway stations (from north to south):

• Winchester railway station (22°08′47″S 148°15′33″E / 22.1463°S 148.2591°E / -22.1463; 148.2591 (Winchester railway station))^[5]
• Harrow railway station (22°21′33″S 148°14′46″E / 22.3592°S 148.2462°E / -22.3592; 148.2462 (Harrow railway station))^[5]
• Saraji Junction railway station (22°23′45″S 148°16′21″E / 22.3959°S 148.2725°E / -22.3959; 148.2725 (Saraji Junction railway station))^[5]
• Saraji railway station (22°24′59″S 148°16′34″E / 22.4164°S 148.2762°E / -22.4164; 148.2762 (Saraji railway station))^[5]
• Lake Vermont railway station (22°27′59″S 148°24′20″E / 22.4665°S 148.4055°E / -22.4665; 148.4055 (Lake Vermont railway station))^[5]
• Dysart railway station (22°35′09″S 148°21′50″E / 22.5858°S 148.3638°E / -22.5858; 148.3638 (Dysart railway station))^[5]
• Stephens railway station (22°39′13″S 148°23′47″E / 22.6535°S 148.3965°E / -22.6535; 148.3965 (Stephens railway station))^[5]
• Norwich Park Junction railway station (22°43′47″S 148°27′06″E / 22.7296°S 148.4516°E / -22.7296; 148.4516 (Norwich Park Junction railway station))^[5]
• Norwich Park railway station (22°45′14″S 148°27′36″E / 22.7538°S 148.4601°E / -22.7538; 148.4601 (Norwich Park railway station))^[5]

Mountains

The terrain is mountainous, with the following named peaks (from north to south):

• Walkers Peak (22°30′24″S 148°16′32″E / 22.5068°S 148.2756°E / -22.5068; 148.2756 (Walkers Peak)) 438 metres (1,437 ft)^[6][7]
• Mount Phillips (22°33′04″S 148°09′48″E / 22.5511°S 148.1633°E / -22.5511; 148.1633 (Mount Phillips)) 681 metres (2,234 ft)^[6][8]
• Mount Walker (22°36′05″S 148°05′11″E / 22.6013°S 148.0864°E / -22.6013; 148.0864 (Mount Walker)) 390 metres (1,280 ft)^[6][9]
• Campbell Peak (22°36′24″S 148°13′24″E / 22.6068°S 148.2234°E / -22.6068; 148.2234 (Campbell Peak)) 430 metres (1,410 ft)^[6][10]
• Lords Table Mountain (22°39′40″S 148°01′13″E / 22.6611°S 148.0202°E / -22.6611; 148.0202 (Lords Table Mountain))^[6][11]
• Gilberts Dome (22°42′01″S 148°04′57″E / 22.7004°S 148.0826°E / -22.7004; 148.0826 (Gilberts Dome)) 742 metres (2,434 ft)^[6][12]
• Browns Peak (22°44′31″S 148°05′55″E / 22.7419°S 148.0986°E / -22.7419; 148.0986 (Browns Peak)) 807 metres (2,648 ft)^[6][13]
• Charleys Peak (22°44′39″S 148°05′14″E / 22.7441°S 148.0872°E / -22.7441; 148.0872 (Charleys Peak)) 610 metres (2,000 ft)^[6][14]
• Eastern Peak (22°45′31″S 148°07′49″E / 22.7586°S 148.1304°E / -22.7586; 148.1304 (Eastern Peak)) 610 metres (2,000 ft)^[6][15]
• Mount Dalrymple (22°55′15″S 148°19′43″E / 22.9208°S 148.3286°E / -22.9208; 148.3286 (Mount Dalrymple)) 472 metres (1,549 ft)^[6][16]
• Expedition Peak (22°56′39″S 148°20′02″E / 22.9441°S 148.3340°E / -22.9441; 148.3340 (Expedition Peak)) 430 metres (1,410 ft)^[6][17]

History

Prussian explorer Ludwig Leichhardt explored the region in 1845 being the first European to do so. This included climbing to the summit of nearby Campbell Peak and allegedly building a stone cairn there.^[18]

The town of Dysart was established in 1973 to support the Saraji coal mine with the Post Office opening on 8 October 1973.^[19][20] The name Dysart comes from the name of a pastoral run and a parish in the area; it means a retreat for monks and hence solitude in Irish Gaelic.^[2]

Dysart State School opened on 21 May 1973.^[21] A secondary department was added in 1979, which operated until Dysart State High School opened on 20 September 1980.^[22]

The Dysart Library opened in 1982.^[23]

According to the Real Estate Institute of Queensland in 2011, Dysart had a median rent of $1,200 a week for a house, making it the most expensive in Queensland.^[24] In 2012, the median house price in the town was $475,000.^[25] The closure of the Norwich Park Mine was expected to bring property prices down.^[26] In August 2015, the rental price for a three-bedroom home in Dysart started at $130 a week.^[27]

Demographics

In the 2011 census, the town of Dysart had a population of 3,003 people.^[28]

In the 2016 census, the locality of Dysart had a population of 2,991 people.^[29]

In the 2021 census, the locality of Dysart had a population of 2,918 people.^[4]

Economy

Norwich Park coal mine was located 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) south of the town.^[26] It closed on 11 April 2012, after 32 years of operation.^[30] Following its closure, its miners were relocated to the Saraji Mine, which is located 26 kilometres (16 mi) north of the town,^[26] and has one of the largest coal reserves in Asia and the world.^[31] In 2020, the Norwich Park mine reopened under the new name Saraji South.^[32]

Education

 

Dysart State High School, 2009

Dysart State School is a government primary (Prep–6) school for boys and girls at Garnham Drive (22°35′16″S 148°20′51″E / 22.5877°S 148.3475°E / -22.5877; 148.3475 (Dysart State School)).^[33][34] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 347 students with 25 teachers (24 full-time equivalent) and 15 non-teaching staff (9 full-time equivalent).^[35]

Dysart State High School is a government secondary (7–12) school for boys and girls at Edgerley Street (22°35′02″S 148°21′17″E / 22.5840°S 148.3548°E / -22.5840; 148.3548 (Dysart State High School)).^[33][36] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 162 students with 17 teachers (16 full-time equivalent) and 20 non-teaching staff (13 full-time equivalent).^[35]

Sport

Rugby league is a popular sport in Dysart. Dysart junior team is named 'Dysart Bulls' with team colours of red, black, and white. The senior team is also called 'Dysart Bulls' and has about six home games a year. The Bulls were the junior home team of Matt Sing, who played 24 State of Origin Games for Queensland.^{[citation needed]}

Dysart also has a very popular soccer team, the Dysart Devils.^{[citation needed]}

Amenities

The Isaac Regional Council operates a public library located in Shannon Crescent, Dysart.^[37]

Facilities

Dysart has the following emergency services:

• Dysart Police Station (22°35′10″S 148°20′56″E / 22.5862°S 148.3489°E / -22.5862; 148.3489 (Dysart Police Station))^[38]
• Dysart Ambulance Station (22°35′08″S 148°20′58″E / 22.5855°S 148.3494°E / -22.5855; 148.3494 (Dysart Ambulance Station))^[38]
• Saraji Mine Ambulance Station (22°25′43″S 148°16′34″E / 22.4285°S 148.2760°E / -22.4285; 148.2760 (Saraji Mine Ambulance Station))^[38]
• Dysart Fire Station (22°35′24″S 148°20′54″E / 22.5900°S 148.3483°E / -22.5900; 148.3483 (Dysart Fire Station))^[38]
• Dysart SES Facility (22°35′24″S 148°20′28″E / 22.5901°S 148.3410°E / -22.5901; 148.3410 (Dysart SES Facility))^[38]
• Dysart Mine Rescue Station (22°35′27″S 148°20′22″E / 22.5909°S 148.3394°E / -22.5909; 148.3394 (Dysart Mine Rescue Station))^[38]

Dysart Cemetery is on the eastern edge of the town at 163 Dysart Bypass Road (22°35′22″S 148°21′33″E / 22.5895°S 148.3591°E / -22.5895; 148.3591 (Dysart Cemetery)).^[39] It offers lawn burial and a columbarium wall for ashes.^[40]

Events

Dysart is home to Norwich Park Mines Day, held to increase the public's knowledge of the mining industry.^{[citation needed]}

Attractions

A monument to the coal and rail industry consisting of a large truck and coal wagon is located at the northern entrance to the town.^[41]

References

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Dysart (urban centre and locality)". Australian Census 2021.  
2. "Dysart – town in Isaac Region (entry 10988)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
3. "Dysart – locality in Isaac Region (entry 49385)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
4. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Dysart (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.  
5. "Railway stations and sidings – Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 2 October 2020. from the original on 5 October 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
6. "Mountain peaks and capes – Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 12 November 2020. from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
7. "Walkers Peak – mountain in Isaac Region (entry 36241)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
8. "Mount Phillips – mountain in Isaac Region (entry 26569)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
9. "Mount Walker – mountain in Isaac Region (entry 36224)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
10. "Campbell Peak – mountain in Isaac Region (entry 5980)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
11. "Lords Table Mountain – mountain in Isaac Region (entry 20085)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
12. "Gilberts Dome – mountain in Isaac Region (entry 13743)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
13. "Browns Peak – mountain in Isaac Region (entry 4773)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
14. "Charleys Peak – mountain in Isaac Region (entry 6915)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
15. "Eastern Peak – mountain in Isaac Region (entry 11114)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
16. "Mount Dalrymple – mountain in Isaac Region (entry 9250)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
17. "Expedition Peak – mountain in Isaac Region (entry 12088)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
18. "Dysart". Isaac Regional Council. from the original on 20 October 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
19. "Dysart". Isaac Regional Council. from the original on 21 March 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
20. Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. from the original on 15 May 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
21. "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
22. "Our school". Dysart State High School. 26 February 2020. from the original on 22 March 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
23. "Queensland Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016-2017" (PDF). Public Libraries Connect. (PDF) from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
24. John McCarthy (18 April 2011). "Miners pay $90,000 in rent in Queensland towns". The Telegraph. News Limited. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
25. Kate Bastable (24 February 2012). "Cashing in and getting out". The Satellite. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
26. Larry Schlesinger (19 April 2012). "Mine closure expected to bring down rents and prices in Dysart, Queensland: Agents". Property Observer. Private Media. from the original on 29 May 2012. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
27. . REA Group. Archived from the original on 19 August 2015. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
28. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Dysart (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 9 November 2013.  
29. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Dysart (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.  
30. Kim Honan (11 May 2012). "Big Queensland coal mine shuts down". ABC Rural. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. from the original on 13 May 2012. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
31. . bowenbasin.com. 2012. Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
32. "Saraji East Mining Lease Project Environmental Impact Statement" (PDF). BHP.com. (PDF) from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
33. "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
34. "Dysart State School". Dysart State School. 26 February 2020. from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
35. "ACARA School Profile 2018". Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
36. "Dysart State High School". Dysart State High School. 9 December 2022. from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
37. "Dysart Library". Public Libraries Connect. from the original on 11 January 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
38. "Emergency services facilities - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 18 November 2020. from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
39. "Cemetery Areas - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 12 November 2020. from the original on 15 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
40. "Dysart Cemetery". Isaac Regional Council. from the original on 13 January 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
41. "Dysart". Isaac Regional Council. from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dysart, Queensland.

• "Dysart". Queensland Places. Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland.