Lotus Creek, Queensland

Lotus Creek Queensland
Lotus Creek
Coordinates	22.255°S 149.0519°E / -22.255; 149.0519 (Lotus Creek (centre of locality))
Population	113 (2021 census)[1]
• Density	0.04444/km^2 (0.1151/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4705
Area	2,542.6 km^2 (981.7 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	175 km (109 mi) S of Mackay 188 km (117 mi) SE of Moranbah 211 km (131 mi) NW of Rockhampton 852 km (529 mi) NNW of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Isaac Region
State electorate(s)	Mirani Burdekin
Federal division(s)	Capricornia
Suburbs around Lotus Creek: Oxford Oxford Collaroy Valkyrie Lotus Creek Collaroy May Downs Clarke Creek St Lawrence

Lotus Creek is a rural locality in the Isaac Region, Queensland, Australia.^[2] In the 2021 census, Lotus Creek had a population of 113 people.^[1]

Geography

The locality is loosely bounded to the south-west by the Isaac River and to the west by its tributary Connors River and to the north-west by its tributary Funnel Creek.^[3]

The Marlborough-Sarina Road enters the locality from the south (Clarkes Creek) and exits to the north (Oxford).^[3]

The Tierawoomba State Forest is in the north-east of the locality extending into neighbouring Oxford. Apart from this protected area, the predominant land use is grazing on native vegetation.^[3]

History

Baradha (also known as Barada, Toolginburra, Baradaybahrad, Thararraburra, Toolginburra, and Baradha) is an Australian Aboriginal language spoken by the Baradha people. The Baradha language region includes the locality of Lotus Creek and extends along the inland ranges towards Nebo and extends along the Connors River catchment.^[4]

The Marlborough-Sarina Road was formerly part of the Bruce Highway. However, it developed a reputation as a "horror road" as it was narrow and winding with creekbed crossings and many vehicles sustained damage. A number of murders of travellers using the road (e.g. the 1975 murders of Noel and Sophia Weckert) caused fear. In 1974, it was decided that a coastal route via Carmila would be developed to eliminate the Malborough-Sarina Road from the Bruce Highway.^[5][6][7]

Demographics

In the 2016 census, Lotus Creek had a population of 75 people.^[8]

In the 2021 census, Lotus Creek had a population of 113 people.^[1]

Education

There are no schools in Lotus Creek. The nearest government primary schools are:^[9]

• Nebo State School in Nebo to the north-west
• St Lawrence State School in neighbouring St Lawrence to the south-west
• Clarke Creek State School in neighbouring Clarke Creek to the south

However, some parts of Lotus Creek are too distant from these schools for a daily commute and there is no nearby secondary school. The options are distance education and boarding schools.^[9]

References

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Lotus Creek (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
2. "Lotus Creek – locality in Isaac Region (entry 47024)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
3. "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
4. "Baradha". State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
5. Ford, Lyall (24 February 2023). "Inside the mysterious 'Horror Stretch' between Mackay and Rockhampton". Mackay Daily Mercury. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
6. "Horror Stretch". Queensland Stories. 8 November 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
7. Patterson, R.; Jones, C.K. (2 August 1974). "Marlborough/Sarina coastal road to be a national highway". Australian Parliament. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
8. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Lotus Creek (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
9. "Layers: Locality; Schools and school catchments". Queensland Globe. Queensland Government. Retrieved 28 October 2023.