South Kolan is a rural locality in the Bundaberg Region,

Queensland Queensland ( , commonly abbreviated as Qld) is a States and territories of Australia, state in northeastern Australia, and is the second-largest and third-most populous state in Australia. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Austr ...

, Australia. In the , the locality of South Kolan had a population of 1,258 people.

Geography

The South Kolan region is in the

Wide Bay–Burnett Wide Bay–Burnett is a region of the Australian state of Queensland, located between north of the state capital, Brisbane. The area's population growth has exceeded the state average over the past 20 years, and it is forecast to grow to more ...

region, north of the state capital

Brisbane Brisbane ( ; ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and largest city of the States and territories of Australia, state of Queensland and the list of cities in Australia by population, third-most populous city in Australia, with a ...

and south west of the regional city of

Bundaberg Bundaberg () is the major regional city in the Wide Bay-Burnett region of the state of Queensland, Australia. It is the List of cities in Australia by population, ninth largest city in the state. The Bundaberg central business district is situa ...

. The

Burnett River The Burnett River is a river in the Wide Bay–Burnett and Central Queensland regions of Queensland, Australia. Course and features The Burnett River rises in the Burnett Range, part of the Great Dividing Range, close to Mount Gaeta and east ...

flows through the locality. The neighbourhood of Birthamba is located in the north-eastern area of South Kolan (); it takes its name from the former Birthamba railway station on the now closed Mount Perry railway line. ''Birthamba'' is an Aboriginal word meaning ''camp''. The former neighbourhood of Kalbar is located in the eastern area of South Kolan (). Kalbar Road still bears the name. It is located in the bend of the

opposite South Bingera / Branyan. (This is not to be confused with the town of Kalbar (formerly Engelsburg) in the

Scenic Rim Region The Scenic Rim Region is a local government areas of Queensland, local government area (LGA) in the West Moreton region of South East Queensland, South East Queensland, Australia, and is located approximately 80 kilometres due south of Brisban ...

). The neighbourhood of Koolboo is located in the north-western area of South Kolan (); it takes its name from the former Kooboo railway station on the now closed Mount Perry railway line. ''Koolboo'' is named after a local Aboriginal clan leader. The Bundaberg-Gin Gin Road (State Route 3) runs through from east to west, and The Cedars Road exits to the south.

History

The name ''Kolan'' is believed to be a Kabi language word ''kalang'' meaning ''good''. Kolan South State School opened on 29 July 1878. In 1882, a Methodist church was established in South Kolan in the area known as Hill End. In 1903, it was replaced by a new building which was subsequently enlarged. Kalbar Plantation was owned by Dr May of Bundaberg; a sugar mill was erected there in 1883. A Union church was opened in 1884 and has been used by a number of denominations. Kalbar Provisional School opened on 26 February 1896. On 1 January 1909, it became Kalbar State School. It closed on 15 June 1962. The Bingera Railway Station Provisional School opened in 1907, becoming a State School in 1909. It closed in 1963. It was in James Street (approx ). The name refers to the nearby (former) Bingera railway station on the now-closed Mount Perry railway line, which was at the intersection of Raines Road and Ten Mile Road (). St Mary's Anglican Church was dedicated on 11 March 1979 by Archbishop Felix Arnott. It closed during 1994. Many properties damaged by the 2010-2011 Queensland floods and 2013 floods, which saw extensive repairs and adjustments made to the approaches of the Cedars Road Bridge Crossing.

Demographics

In the , South Kolan had a population of 1,164. In the , South Kolan had a population of 1,061 people. In the , South Kolan had a population of 1,258 people.

Economy

Industry in the district consists of cattle farming, sugar cane production and milling, and commercial fruit and vegetable production. The township, although small, has a convenience store, Kolan South State Primary School, a police station and The South Kolan Pub which also has accommodation facilities. South Kolan is also frequented by many residents of surrounding rural areas such as Pine Creek and Gin Gin.

Education

Kolan South State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at 2297 Gin Gin Road (). In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 124 students with 7 teachers (6 full-time equivalent) and 7 non-teaching staff (4 full-time equivalent). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 112 students with 7 teachers (6 full-time equivalent) and 8 non-teaching staff (4 full-time equivalent). There are no secondary schools in South Kolan. The nearest government secondary schools are Bundaberg North State High School in Bundaberg North to the north-east and Gin Gin State High School in Gin Gin to the south-west.

Attractions

South Kolan is home to the Mystery Craters. Discovered in 1971, the origin of the 35 oddly shaped craters has been the subject of controversy.

Climate

South Kolan has a subtropical climate with wet, hot summers and mild winters.

References

External links

{{authority control Bundaberg Region Localities in Queensland Tourist attractions in Bundaberg