Gympie: Difference between revisions
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==Traveston Dam== |
==Traveston Dam== |
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The Queensland Government has plans to build a dam on the Mary River at [[Traveston Crossing Dam|Traveston Crossing]], approximately 16 km south of Gympie, arguing that there is sound geology and that Brisbane needs more water.{{Citation needed|date=September 2007}} |
The Queensland Government has plans to build a dam on the Mary River at [[Traveston Crossing Dam|Traveston Crossing]], approximately 16 km south of Gympie, arguing that there is sound geology and that Brisbane needs more water.{{Citation needed|date=September 2007}} |
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The proposed dam will flood approximately 900 properties, many of them income-producing farms, including the largest dairy farm in Queensland. The affected land owners and other shire residents have staged rallies protesting against the proposed dam. There is strong opposition to the dam from the wider and international community based on environmental concerns related to the endangered Mary River cod, Mary River Turtle, Giant Barred Frog, Cascade Tree Frog and Coxen's Fig Parrot and the vulnerable Queensland lungfish, Tusked Frog, Honey Blue-eyed Fish, the Richmond Birdwin Butterfly and the Illidge's Ant-blue Butterfly. |
The proposed dam will flood approximately 900 properties, many of them income-producing farms, including the largest dairy farm in Queensland. The affected land owners and other shire residents have staged rallies protesting against the proposed dam. There is strong opposition to the dam from the wider and international community based on environmental concerns related to the endangered Mary River cod, Mary River Turtle, Giant Barred Frog, Cascade Tree Frog and Coxen's Fig Parrot and the vulnerable Queensland lungfish, Tusked Frog, Honey Blue-eyed Fish, the Richmond Birdwin Butterfly and the Illidge's Ant-blue Butterfly. |
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*[[James Nash]] |
*[[James Nash]] |
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*[[The Amity Affliction]] |
*[[The Amity Affliction]] |
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*[[Joanna Parsons]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 23:32, 21 October 2010
| Gympie Error: unknown |state= value (help) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Location of Gympie in Queensland (red) | |||||||||
  Gympie | |||||||||
| Coordinates | 26°11′S 152°40′E / 26.19°S 152.66°E | ||||||||
| Population | 16,454 | ||||||||
| Established | 1867 | ||||||||
| Location | 160 km (99 mi) from Brisbane | ||||||||
| LGA(s) | Gympie Regional Council | ||||||||
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Gympie (Template:PronEng)[1] is a regional city in south eastern Queensland, Australia, approximately 160 kilometres (100 mi) north of the state capital, Brisbane. The city lies on the Mary River. Gympie is the administrative centre for the Gympie Regional Council area.
History
Originally settled for grazing purposes, in 1867 the area became prominent when James Nash discovered gold. At the time Queensland was suffering from a severe economic depression and the discovery probably saved the colony from bankruptcy. This event is still celebrated today during the Gympie Gold Rush Festival, with 10 days of cultural events held in October.[2] Gold mining still plays a role in the area's fortunes, along with agriculture (dairy predominantly), timber and tourism.
Etymology
Gympie's name derives from the Kabi (the language of a tribe of Indigenous Australians that historically lived South East Queensland) word "gimpi-gimpi" (which means "stinging tree), which referred to Dendrocnide moroides. The tree has large, round leaves that have similar properties to stinging nettles. The town was previously named "Nashville", after James Nash, who discovered gold in the area in 1867.[3] The name was later changed to Gympie in 1868.[4]
Town and Localities of Gympie Region
Gympie - Southside, Monkland, Jones Hill, Chatsworth
Mary Valley - Dagun, Kandanga, Amamoor, Imbil, Brooloo and Borumba Dam
Cooloola Coast - Tin Can Bay, Rainbow Beach, Cooloola Cove, Great Sandy National Park(Cooloola Section) and Great Sandy Strait
Gympie Hinterland - Glastonbury, Widgee, Glenwood, Gunalda, Wonga, Kilkivan, Goomeri and Tansey
Attractions
There are many attractions in and around Gympie. The Gympie Gold Mining and Historical Museum houses memorabilia from the early gold mining era, as well as displays showcasing military, rural, transport, communications and steam development in Australia. The WoodWorks Museum provides an insight into the timber industry & social history of yesteryear through displays and demonstrations. Features include a large selection of pioneering handtools, 1925 Republic truck, bullock wagons and blacksmith shop.
The Valley Rattler steam train winds its way through the backyards of the southern side of Gympie and then continues its way into the scenic Mary Valley where it crosses and then follows the Mary River to negotiate the valley and the Mary's main tributaries. This provides a spectacular journey through the valley beginning at the Old Gympie Railway Station in Tozer Street. This station is the original railway station for the track that passed through Gympie in the 1900s gold rush.
The Mary Valley has a stunning landscape of rolling green pastures and many beautiful forests. The countryside is spectacular with an abundance of curves, gradients and bridges. Steep slopes portray a patchwork of pineapples, macadamia nuts and other crops. The towns of the Valley include Dagun, a pretty little ten house town and Amamoor which hosts the National Country Music Muster, held annually in August. The Muster is held over six days and nights in the Amamoor Forest Reserve. Featuring 13 venues full of diverse music The Muster is the largest outdoor country music festival in Australia. The Mary Valley Scenic Drive also travels through Kandanga and Imbil.
Gympie's Mary St offers a wide array of bars, cafes, banks and stores with stunning 19th Century Victorian architecture. Gympie also hosts the Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival in March. The festival is five days of fun, inspiration and stimulation. Highlights include short films from all corners of the planet, special features and documentaries, parties, seminars, intimate Q & A sessions with filmmakers and an award Ceremony.
15 mins south-east of Gympie subtropical rainforest & spectacular rocky creeks make the Mothar Mountain rock pools a popular retreat for locals and visitors. Crystal clear water gently cascades over ancient granite outcrops at Woondum State Forest. Facilities include picnic tables, barbecues, firewood, fresh water, amenities and bush walking tracks.
30 minutes drive east of Gympie is Tin Can Bay where you can hand feed rare Indo-Pacific Hump-backed Dolphins in their natural environment. The feeding is regulated for the protection of the dolphins. Tin Can Bay is the Southern access point to the Great Sandy Strait, a stunning aquatic playground protected by World Heritage listed Fraser Island. The Strait is an important ecological area with marine turtles, dolphin pods, dugongs also known as mermaids, migrating Humpback whales and valuable roosting area for migratory birds.
Gympie, Mary Valley, Tin Can Bay, Rainbow Beach and Cooloola are part of the Great Sandy Biosphere which gives world wide recognition of the outstanding natural beauty and high levels of biodiversity in this region.
The alleged Gympie Pyramid is also a minor attraction.
Education
Gympie has many schools, reflecting its importance as a regional service centre. State primary schools include Gympie West, Chatsworth, Monkland, Jones Hill, Gympie Central, Two Mile, One Mile, Gympie East, Gympie South. State secondary schools include James Nash and Gympie State High, which is well known for its music department and sporting facilities. Private schools offer both primary and secondary education. They include Victory College, Cooloola Christian College and St Patrick's.[5]
Transport
Road connection to Gympie is via the Bruce Highway. Rail connects via QR's North Coast railway line, which is served by daily Citytrain services to Brisbane and Traveltrain services for long distances. There are few public buses in Gympie and automobiles are the main mode of transportation.
Traveston Dam
The Queensland Government has plans to build a dam on the Mary River at Traveston Crossing, approximately 16 km south of Gympie, arguing that there is sound geology and that Brisbane needs more water.[citation needed]
The proposed dam will flood approximately 900 properties, many of them income-producing farms, including the largest dairy farm in Queensland. The affected land owners and other shire residents have staged rallies protesting against the proposed dam. There is strong opposition to the dam from the wider and international community based on environmental concerns related to the endangered Mary River cod, Mary River Turtle, Giant Barred Frog, Cascade Tree Frog and Coxen's Fig Parrot and the vulnerable Queensland lungfish, Tusked Frog, Honey Blue-eyed Fish, the Richmond Birdwin Butterfly and the Illidge's Ant-blue Butterfly.
Non state-government reports have arrived at less favourable geological conclusions. For example, Cooloola Shire Council recently released a report it commissioned to this effect.[citation needed]
The Commonwealth Government of Australia has since delivered its report on the proposed dam and has announced that approval for its construction will not be approved based on the serious environmental and ecological damage it would cause.
Notable people from Gympie
References
- ^ Macquarie Dictionary, Fourth Edition (2005). Melbourne, The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd. ISBN 1-876429-14-3
- ^ Golden History of Gympie
- ^ Hon. C. Wallace, GYMPIE RESIDENTS HAVE CHANCE TO MAKE THEIR MARK ON THE MAP, 14 January 2008. Accessed 18 April 2009.
- ^ Gympie Fire Station in 1955
- ^ Gympie Regional Council - Schools