Roma, Queensland
| Roma Queensland |
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 Aerial view of Roma |
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 Roma
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| Population: | 5,983 (2006 Census)[1] | ||||||
| Postcode: | 4455 | ||||||
| Coordinates: | 26°33′S 148°48′E / 26.55°S 148.8°ECoordinates: 26°33′S 148°48′E / 26.55°S 148.8°E | ||||||
| Elevation: | 299.4 m (982 ft) | ||||||
| Location: | |||||||
| LGA: | Maranoa Region | ||||||
| State District: | Warrego | ||||||
| Federal Division: | Maranoa | ||||||
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Roma is a town in the western Darling Downs area of South West Queensland, Australia, 515 km (320 mi) by rail WNW of Brisbane. It is situated at the junction of the Warrego and Carnarvon highways. It is the centre of a rich pastoral and wheat-growing district,[citation needed] The town was incorporated in 1867 and is named after Lady Diamantina Bowen (née Roma), the wife of Sir George Ferguson Bowen, the Governor of Queensland at the time. Beef, grain and wool are its chief industries.[citation needed] It is in the Maranoa electoral district. It also serves as a centre for the larger Maranoa Region. At the 2006 census, Roma had a population of 5,983.[1]
Bore water for the town is obtained from the Artesian Basin.[2] Many homes have a tank for rainwater delivered by a third tap at the kitchen sink as the town water has a strong taste.
Hotels, pubs, and churches feature prominently near the centre of town. The ten hotels are within easy walking distance with most adjacent to another hotel.[3] St Paul's Church of England[4] is a copy of a 13th Century English Church in the shape of crucifix.
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[edit] History
Roma was named after Lady Diamantina Bowen (Contessa Diamantina di Roma), wife of the first Governor of Queensland, George Bowen in 1867. In 1863 Samuel Symons Bassett brought Queensland's vine cuttings to Roma and established the Romaville Winery and a century later, Roma was the site of Australia's first oil and gas discoveries [5].
Captain Starlight,[6] a cattle rustler, was tried and acquitted in the Roma Courthouse. No successful conviction for cattle rustling has been made in Roma.
In late 2010, Roma experienced its worst floods in over 100 years.
[edit] Industry and economy
[edit] Agriculture
The Maranoa's agriculture industry is worth approximately $620 million annually, 64.3% being generated from crops. 58.7% of businesses in the Maranoa are in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector, which employs 32.7% of the region's workforce.[7] 2005 was a record year for Roma saleyards processing 390,000 head of cattle. Roma is home to Australia's largest cattle saleyards.[8] Forestry plantations include Hardwood and Cypress Pines. Roma and the Maranoa region is home to Australia's most active native Cypress Pine sawmilling.[9]
[edit] Oil and Gas
In 1906 natural gas was used for lighting in Roma. The industry has expanded as more reserves were discovered.
Origin Energy's Spring Gully Coal Seam Gas Development is about 80 km north of Roma and its projects include an 87 km gas pipeline to Roma's neighbour town of Wallumbilla, Queensland to connect with the 434 km Roma-to-Brisbane gas pipeline hub there [1], [2] (see portfolio map of Queensland projects). Origin Energy is proposing Spring Gully Power Station as an $870 Million, 1000MW power station that will provide electricity to South-East Queensland. With a base at the Spring Gully CSG site, the power station will have the benefit of being close to the source of gas and able to use the waste-water left over from the other CSG operations.
[edit] Employment
Roma has a relatively low unemployment rate of 2.9% in 2004.[10]
[edit] Media
Zinc ZR Roma is the local radio station. The Western Star is the local paper.[11]
[edit] Tourist attractions
Local tourist attractions include the Big Rig and Oil and Gas Museum, Romavilla Winery and Roma Saleyards. To the north of the town is Carnarvon Gorge in Carnarvon National Park.
[edit] Public Facilities
Roma has a range of facilites open to the general public: these include a public library, swimming pool, golf course, bowling green, Bassett Park showground, visitor information centre and a range of sporting clubs and civic facilities. [12]
[edit] Notable people
- Darren Lockyer, Australian rugby league captain
- Arthur Beetson, Australian rugby league captain
- Willie Carne, Australian rugby league international
- Brent Tate, Australian rugby league international
- Ray Higgs, Australian rugby league international
- Wally Fullerton-Smith, Australian rugby league international
- Ray Meagher, Actor, and amateur rugby player
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Roma (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/LocationSearch?collection=Census&period=2006&areacode=UCL349200&producttype=QuickStats&breadcrumb=PL&action=401. Retrieved 20 June 2011.
- ^ The Great Artesian Basin
- ^ School of Arts Hotel, Roma
- ^ St. Paul's Church of England in Roma
- ^ Kalhaven Group. (2010). Roma Tourism . Retrieved from Discover Australia Holidays : http://www.discoveraustralia.com.au/queensland/roma.html
- ^ Bushrangers FAQ
- ^ Maranoa
- ^ Record year for Roma saleyards
- ^ Future challenges
- ^ ABS employment figure
- ^ The Western Star
- ^ "Roma". Centre for the Government of Queensland. http://queenslandplaces.com.au/roma. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Roma, Queensland |
- University of Queensland: Queensland Places: Roma
- Queensland Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines (map)
- Queensland Gas Transmission and Distribution (government department of energy)
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