Biloela
Postcode: 4715
Biloela is a rural town in Central Queensland, Australia. It is situated 120 kilometres inland from the port city of Gladstone at the junction of the Burnett and Dawson highways. At the 2001 census, Biloela had a population of 5,447. Biloela is the administrative centre for the Banana Shire which has an area of 15,729 square kilometres.
Biloela and the Banana Shire, dubbed by locals as a ‘great place to grow’, has a diverse range of industries. Extensive grazing and cropping concerns are found in the area. Cotton, sorghum and wheat are grown in the area. The Callide Power Stations lie just north of the town. Coal is mined at the nearby Callide and Boundary Hill mines which supply the power station. A large abattoir is also situated in the town.
Biloela is aboriginal for ‘Big White Bird’ (often confused with ‘white cockatoo’, since these are the only ‘big white birds’ in the area).
Biloela has 3 primary schools; Redeemer Lutheran Primary, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary,and Biloela State Primary. It has only one high school (Biloela State High School).
The closest fresh water depository is the Callide Dam, however it is often well below full capacity due to the lack of rainfall in the area. Despite this, it acts as a great escape for locals who participate in water skiing, camping, swimming and fishing at the dam. The Callide Dam also plays host to the annual Callide Dam Fishing Competition in which a number of introduced stock are caught each year.