Arriga, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Arriga Queensland
Tableland Sugar Mill, 2016
Arriga Location in Queensland
Population	1,323 (2021 census)
• Density	6.432/km2 (16.66/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4880
Area	205.7 km2 (79.4 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	17.2 km (11 mi) W of Mareeba 79.4 km (49 mi) W of Cairns 1,751 km (1,088 mi) NNW of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Shire of Mareeba
State electorate(s)	Cook Hill
Federal Division(s)	Kennedy
Suburbs around Arriga: Thornborough Glen Russell Paddys Green Mutchilba Arriga Chewko Mutchilba Tolga Walkamin

Arriga is a rural locality in the Shire of Mareeba, Queensland, Australia. It has Queensland's largest wind farm. In the 2021 census, Arriga had a population of 1,323 people.

Geography

The Great Dividing Range passes through the south and east of the locality, with the following mountains within the locality:

• Mount White (17°07′13″S 145°14′22″E / 17.1204°S 145.2394°E / -17.1204; 145.2394 (Mount White)) 764 metres (2,507 ft)
• Walsh Bluff (17°08′39″S 145°21′41″E / 17.1442°S 145.3615°E / -17.1442; 145.3615 (Walsh Bluff)) 907 metres (2,976 ft)

The Mareeba Dimbula Road enters the locality from the north-west (Paddys Green) and exits to the west (Mutchilba).

History

The Tableland Sugar Mill started operation on 28 June 1998. It was the first new sugar mill in Queensland for 75 years and the most technologically advanced making extensive use of automation and being environmentally-friendly.

The Mount Emerald Wind Farm commenced generating wind energy from its 53 wind turbines in August 2019.

Demographics

In the 2011 census, Arriga had a population of 702 people.

In the 2016 census, Arriga had a population of 1,079 people.

In the 2021 census, Arriga had a population of 1,323 people.

Economy

The Tableland Sugar Mill is located in Arriga (17°07′11″S 145°20′43″E / 17.1197°S 145.3453°E / -17.1197; 145.3453 (Tableland Sugar Mill)).

The Mount Emerald Wind Farm (17°10′55″S 145°22′52″E / 17.182°S 145.381°E / -17.182; 145.381 (Mount Emerald Wind Farm)) on the Great Dividing Range is in the south of the locality.

The Lotus Glen Correctional Centre is in Chettle Road (17°06′47″S 145°21′50″E / 17.113°S 145.364°E / -17.113; 145.364 (Lotus Glen Correctional Centre)).

Education

There are no schools in Arriga. The nearest government primary schools are Mutchilba State School in neighbouring Mutchilba to the south-west and Mareeba State School in Mareeba to the north-east. The nearest government secondary school is Mareeba State High School, also in Mareeba.