Shire of Balonne

The Shire of Balonne is a local government area in South West Queensland, Australia, over 500km from the state capital, Brisbane. It covers an area of 31150.3km2, and has existed as a local government entity since 1879. It is headquartered in its main town, St George.HistoryUla Ula Division was created on 11 November 1879 as one of 74 divisions around Queensland under the Divisional Boards Act 1879 with a population of 1271. The name Ula Ula is believed to be derived from an Aboriginal word meaning water lilies. or ripples on waterA separate municipality, the Borough of St George was gazetted on 31 July 1884, but on 13 March 1886 it was abolished and amalgamated back into Ula Ula Division.On 11 March 1903, Ula Ula Division was renamed Balonne Division after the Balonne River. The name Balonne is believed to be of Aboriginal origin meaning water or running stream.With the passage of the Local Authorities Act 1902, Balonne Division became Shire of Balonne on 31 March 1903.RiversThe area contains the Balonne, Barwon, Boomi, Culgoa, Little Weir, Maranoa, Moonie, and Narran rivers, which attract fishermen seeking both the Yellow belly and Murray Cod.