Boonarga, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Boonarga Queensland
Cactoblastis Memorial Hall, Boonarga, 2006
Boonarga Location in Queensland
Population	37 (2021 census)
• Density	0.642/km2 (1.66/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4413
Area	57.6 km2 (22.2 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	19.9 km (12 mi) SE of Chinchilla 77.4 km (48 mi) NW of Dalby 144 km (89 mi) NW of Toowoomba 272 km (169 mi) WNW of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Western Downs Region
State electorate(s)	Callide
Federal Division(s)	Maranoa
Suburbs around Boonarga: Chinchilla Chances Plain Brigalow Hopeland Boonarga Brigalow Hopeland Hopeland Brigalow

Boonarga is a rural locality in the Western Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Boonarga had a population of 37 people.

Geography

The Warrego Highway and Western railway line enter the locality from the south-east (Brigalow) and exit to the north-west (Chinchilla).

Boonarga railway station is an abandoned station on the Western railway line (26°47′39″S 150°42′55″E / 26.7942°S 150.7153°E / -26.7942; 150.7153 (Boonarga railway station)).

History

Hill Top Provisional School opened on 20 March 1893. On 1 January 1909, it became Hill Top State School. From 1914 to 1915 it operated as a half-time school with Mulga State School (meaning the two schools shared a single teacher). In 1936, it was renamed Boonarga State School. It closed in June 1954. It was located on the Warrego Highway (26°47′27″S 150°42′27″E / 26.7909°S 150.7075°E / -26.7909; 150.7075 (Boonarga State School (former))).

The Cactoblastis Memorial Hall was built to celebrate the eradiction of the prickly pear in the Boonarga area through the introduction of the cactoblastis moth. Prickly pear had spread so extensively through the area that it was often not possible to walk or ride through it. The hall was built by local builder Mr Jack Schloss at a cost of £435 and was officially opened in February 1936 by Godfrey Morgan, Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly. A gala ball was held to mark the occasion.

Demographics

In the 2016 census, Boonarga had a population of 36 people.

In the 2021 census, Boonarga had a population of 37 people.

Heritage listings

Boonarga has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

• Warrego Highway: Cactoblastis Memorial Hall

Education

There are no schools in Boonarga. The nearest government primary schools are Brigalow State School in neighbouring Brigalow to the south-east and Chinchilla State School in neighbouring Chinchilla to the north-west. The nearest government secondary school is Chinchilla State High School in Chinchilla.

Amenities

Boonarga Cactoblastis Memorial Hall is on the Warrego Highway (26°47′43″S 150°42′56″E / 26.7952°S 150.7155°E / -26.7952; 150.7155 (Cactoblastis Memorial Hall)).