Shire of Cardwell Queensland |
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Location within Queensland
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Population | 9,529 (2006 census) | ||||||||||||
• Density | 3.11182/km2 (8.0596/sq mi) | ||||||||||||
Established | 1884 | ||||||||||||
Area | 3,062.2 km2 (1,182.3 sq mi) | ||||||||||||
Council seat | Tully | ||||||||||||
Region | Far North Queensland | ||||||||||||
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The Shire of Cardwell was a local government area of Queensland. It was located on the Coral Sea coast about halfway between the cities of Cairns and Townsville. The shire, administered from the town of Tully, covered an area of 3,062.2 square kilometres (1,182.3 sq mi), and existed as a local government entity from 1884 until 2008, when it amalgamated with the Shire of Johnstone to form the Cassowary Coast Region.
The shire also had responsibility for some Great Barrier Reef islands, including Dunk Island, Goold Island and Hinchinbrook Island.
The area's economy is based on agriculture, in particular sugar and bananas, and tourism. Part of the Wet Tropics of Queensland and Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Sites are located in Cardwell Shire.
The Hinchinbrook Division was created on 11 November 1879 as one of 74 divisions around Queensland under the Divisional Boards Act 1879. On 18 January 1884, part of the Hinchinbrook Division was separated to create the new Cardwell Division.
In 1892, the Cardwell Divisional Board built the Cardwell Divisional Board Hall (now heritage-listed) at 51 Victoria Street, Cardwell. At that time, Cardwell was regarded as the major town in the division (as reflected in the division's name).
With the passage of the Local Authorities Act 1902, Cardwell Division became the Shire of Cardwell on 31 March 1903. The divisional board hall then became known as the Cardwell Shire Council Chambers.