History of Burrum Heads

A Brief History of the Burrum District

The discovery of coal on the southern bank of the Burrum River in 1863 signalled the beginning of rapid development in the Burrum District and led directly to the establishment of the towns of Howard, Torbanlea, Burrum Heads and Toogom.  Furthermore, as only the second coalfields to be exploited in Queensland, the Burrum Coalfields played a major role in the early development of the entire region, accelerating the growth of Maryborough and Hervey Bay and providing impetus for the extension of the railway north from Brisbane and the construction of the Urangan Pier. 

Despite its narrow seams, the high quality of the coal contained within the Burrum coalfields allowed mining to remain economically viable throughout the majority of last century.   Despite this viability diminishing significantly post WWII through developments such as the introduction of diesel locomotives, local demand for Burrum coal continued, led by the Howard Power Station (operating from 1951 to 1980), which supplied the entire region with electricity generated exclusively from local coal.  In total, mining of the area spanned some 130 years, from 1866 until the closure of the last coalmine (Burgowan Number 12) in 1997, and saw some 94 shafts and tunnels dug and, at its peak, employed over 400 personnel.

Alongside mining, a number of other industries have also been prominent in the history of the Burrum District; in particular timber getting, citrus growing, cattle farming and small crop agriculture.  The ocean has also provided a livelihood through fishing, oyster farming and the manufacture of dugong oil.  Washing powder and cordial (Burrell's) were also manufactured in Howard in the past.

Finally, a particularly interesting feature of the history of the Burrum District lies in its important contribution to both the union movement and to national politics.  This contribution is marked by the fact that the district has been home to two Australian Prime Ministers (Andrew Fisher and Billy Hughes) and also to Senator Dame Annabelle Rankin.

 

Some Important Dates
1878     Burrum school, post office and Hotel open
1882     Howard named and land allocated for cemetery and police station
1883     Railway links to Burrum and Howard open
1887     Andrew Fisher (Australia's first Labour Prime Minister) builds his house in Howard (still standing in Watkins Street)
1889     Six hotels now operating in the area (including Miners Arms, Torbanlea which is still open today)
1890     Brooklyn House, Howard completed for William Rankin by S. Ward
1893     Queensland Smelting Company formed at Aldershot
1900     Mining explosion at Torbanlea - five casualties
1926     Burrum River Road Bridge opened to traffic
1930     Shop fire destroys majority of William Street timber shop row in Howard
1948     Traviston changed to Burrum Heads
1951     Howard Power Station opens
1962     Burrum coal tonnage reaches 7.5 million tons
1976     Burgowan Number 13 mine closes - this was the last pick and shovel mine to operate in Australia
1984     Bruce Highway bypass completed
1997     Last coal mine (Burgowan Number 12) closes on Burrum coalfields
2003     Second Royal Hotel burns down