Blackbutt, Queensland

{{Use Australian English|date=August 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}} {{GeoGroup}} {{Infobox Australian place | type = town | name = Blackbutt | state = qld | image = Blackbutt Hotel Radnor.JPG | caption = Hotel Radnor | coordinates = {{coord|-26.8855|152.1030|type:city_region:AU-QLD|display=inline,title|name=Blackbutt (town centre)}} | local_map = yes | zoom = 12 | pop = 799 | pop_year = {{CensusAU|2021}} | pop_footnotes = <ref name=Census2021/> | established = 1887 | postcode = 4314 | area = 7.9 | timezone = [[AEST]] | utc = +10:00 | elevation = 474 | maxtemp = | mintemp = | rainfall = | lga = South Burnett Region | stategov = [[Electoral district of Nanango|Nanango]] | fedgov = [[Division of Maranoa|Maranoa]] | county = [[County of Cavendish|Cavendish]] | parish = Taromeo | dist1 = 36.2 | dir1 = SSE | location1 = [[Nanango]] | dist2 = 60.6 | dir2 = SE | location2 = [[Kingaroy]] | dist3 = 102 | dir3 = NNE | location3 = [[Toowoomba]] | dist4 = 161 | dir4 = NW | location4 = [[Brisbane]] | near-n = [[Blackbutt North, Queensland|Blackbutt North]] | near-ne = [[Benarkin, Queensland|Benarkin]] | near-e = [[Benarkin, Queensland|Benarkin]] | near-se = [[Benarkin, Queensland|Benarkin]] | near-s = [[Blackbutt South, Queensland|Blackbutt South]] | near-sw = [[Nukku, Queensland|Nukku]] | near-w = [[Nukku, Queensland|Nukku]] | near-nw = [[Nukku, Queensland|Nukku]] }} '''Blackbutt''' is a rural town and [[Suburbs and localities (Australia)|locality]] in the [[South Burnett Region]], [[Queensland]], Australia.<ref name=qpnt>{{cite QPN|2987|Blackbutt|town in South Burnett Region|access-date=27 January 2020}}</ref><ref name=qpnl>{{cite QPN|50238|Blackbutt|locality in South Burnett Region|access-date=27 January 2020}}</ref> In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the locality of Blackbutt had a population of 799 people.<ref name=Census2021/>

== Geography == The town is located on the [[D'Aguilar Highway]], in the [[South Burnett Region|South Burnett]] [[Local government in Australia|local government area]], {{convert|166|km}} north-west of the state capital, [[Brisbane]]. Blackbutt lies within the Cooyar Creek catchment, tributary of the [[Brisbane River]], which rises in the [[Bunya Mountains]] to the west.

== History == [[File:Blackbutt Police Station, 1912. Note the station badge attached to the peak of the right hand tent.jpg|left|thumb|Blackbutt Police Station, 1912. Note the station badge attached to the peak of the right hand tent.]][[European settlement of Australia|European settlement]] in the Blackbutt area began in 1842, when the Scott family established [[Taromeo Station]]. In 1887, the Scott family ceded land to found both Blackbutt and its neighbouring town of [[Benarkin, Queensland|Benarkin]]. Farms were established in the area and the discovery of gold in the area in the late 19th century led to population growth in the town.

The timber industry played an important role in the development of the town.

The town is named after '''''Eucalyptus pilularis''''', commonly known as '''[[Eucalyptus pilularis|blackbutt]]''', a common tree of the family [[Myrtaceae]] native to south-eastern [[Australia]] which is one of Australia's most important hardwoods.

Blackbutt, Benarkin and the nearby town of [[Yarraman, Queensland|Yarraman]] are often collectively referred to as the "Timber Towns" and the terms "Timbertown" and "Timbertowners" feature in the name of many local businesses and a sporting teams.<ref name="Timbertowners">{{Cite news | url=http://www.southburnetttimes.com.au/news/timbertowners-celebrate-100-years/1932979/ | title=Timbertowners Celebrate 100 Years | newspaper=[[The South Burnett Times]] | date=5 July 2013 | access-date=4 November 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304100338/http://www.southburnetttimes.com.au/news/timbertowners-celebrate-100-years/1932979/ | archive-date=4 March 2016 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Blackbutt Provisional School opened on 20 January 1896 under teacher Rosa Bella Ryan.<ref>{{cite news |date=25 February 1896 |title=Local and General News. |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article123360932 |accessdate=13 October 2024 |newspaper=[[Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser]] |location=Queensland, Australia |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia |volume=XXXVI |issue=5403}}</ref> On 1 January 1909, it became Blackbutt State School. The school was on a {{Convert|6|acre|1|rood|adj=on}} site at 97 Blackbutt Crows Nest Road in present-day [[Blackbutt South]] (south-east corner of Haynes Kite Millar Road, {{Coord|-26.9011|152.0994|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Blackbutt State School (original site)}}).<ref>{{Cite web |date=1912 |title=Parish of Taromeo |url=https://apps.information.qld.gov.au/data/v2/HistoricalMaps/StaticMap/cadastral/cad-map-40chain-parish-taromeo-1912/original |access-date=13 October 2024 |publisher=[[Queensland Government]] |type=Map}}</ref> In 1912, school daily attendance was between 60 and 70 students,<ref>{{cite news |date=23 May 1912 |title=MARYBOROUGH DISTRICT |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19752871 |accessdate=13 October 2024 |newspaper=[[The Brisbane Courier]] |location=Queensland, Australia |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia |issue=16,961}}</ref> leading to a petition from parents to build a new school in a more central location.<ref>{{cite news |date=28 May 1912 |title=BLACKBUTT REQUESTS |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19727253 |accessdate=13 October 2024 |newspaper=[[The Brisbane Courier]] |location=Queensland, Australia |page=9 |via=National Library of Australia |issue=16,965}}</ref> In January 1914, the school relocated its current larger site in Blackbutt.<ref name="qs">{{Cite QldSchool|access-date=21 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite QSA Agency|172|Blackbutt State School|23 April 2014}}</ref><ref name="qfhs">{{Citation|author1=Queensland Family History Society|title=Queensland schools past and present|publication-date=2010|edition=Version 1.01|publisher=[[Queensland Family History Society]]|isbn=978-1-921171-26-0}}</ref>

Blackbutt Post Office opened by November 1906 (a [[receiving office]] had been open from 1896).<ref name="Post Office">{{Cite web | last = Phoenix Auctions History | title = Post Office List | publisher = Phoenix Auctions | url = http://www.phoenixauctions.com.au/cgi-bin/wsPhoenix.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=QLD&filter=*Blackbutt* | access-date = 7 April 2021 }}</ref>

When the Blackbutt railway station was built to serve the town, it was some distance from the town, so in 1910 it was decided to name the station Benarkin instead.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19661807 |title=Naming Railway Stations. |newspaper=[[The Brisbane Courier]] |date=24 December 1910 |access-date=29 May 2014 |page=4 |publisher=National Library of Australia |archive-date=29 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129113509/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/19661807 |url-status=live }}</ref> This in turn gave its name to the new town that formed near the railway station [[Benarkin, Queensland|Benarkin]]. Because of the close proximity ({{convert|3.5|km|mi|1}} apart) and intertwined history of the two towns, they are often referred to as the twin towns of Blackbutt-Benarkin.<ref name=qpnl/> Blackbutt was connected to the [[Brisbane Valley railway line]] in 1911. However, the line was closed in the 1980s and was converted into a [[rail trail]].<ref name="SouthBurnett">{{cite web |url = http://tourism.southburnett.com.au/townblackbutt.htm |title = Blackbutt-Benarkin: The Timber Towns |work = South Burnett Tourism |publisher = South Burnett Online |access-date = 7 June 2007 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070614231213/http://tourism.southburnett.com.au/townblackbutt.htm |archive-date = 14 June 2007 |df = dmy-all }}</ref>

[[File:Blackbutt War Memorial.JPG|thumb|Blackbutt War Memorial, 2010|alt=|left]] The Blackbutt War Memorial was unveiled on 24 April 1920 by J.A. Lee, the chairman of [[Nanango Shire]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Blackbutt War Memorial|url=http://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/conflict/ww1/display/90574-blackbutt-war-memorial/photo/2|publisher=Monument Australia|access-date=4 April 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407125905/http://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/conflict/ww1/display/90574-blackbutt-war-memorial/photo/2|archive-date=7 April 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The Blackbutt Library was opened in 1996.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/388497/SLQ_StatsBulletin1617_20171109.pdf|title=Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016-17|date=November 2017|website=Public Libraries Connect|publisher=[[State Library of Queensland]]|page=15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130022546/http://www.plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/388497/SLQ_StatsBulletin1617_20171109.pdf|archive-date=30 January 2018|url-status=live|access-date=30 January 2018}}</ref>

Tennis great [[Roy Emerson]] was born on a farm near Blackbutt<ref>{{cite news|title=Grand day for Emerson|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/tennis/grand-day-for-emerson-20130126-2ddur.html|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|agency=AAP|date=27 January 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925010746/http://www.smh.com.au/sport/tennis/grand-day-for-emerson-20130126-2ddur.html|archive-date=25 September 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and attended [[Nukku]] State School for his early education. The former school building now houses the Roy Emerson Museum in Blackbutt.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.slq.qld.gov.au/jol/2016/08/29/how-the-roy-emerson-museum-came-about/ |title=How the Roy Emerson Museum came about |author=Anne Scheu |date=26 Aug 2016 |publisher=John Oxley Library |access-date=24 Apr 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424135731/http://blogs.slq.qld.gov.au/jol/2016/08/29/how-the-roy-emerson-museum-came-about/ |archive-date=24 April 2018 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

On 1 February 2018, Blackbutt's postcode changed from 4306 to 4314.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-11-17|title=Blackbutt To Get New Postcode|url=https://southburnett.com.au/news2/2017/11/17/blackbutt-to-get-new-postcode/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517113515/https://southburnett.com.au/news2/2017/11/17/blackbutt-to-get-new-postcode/|archive-date=17 May 2018|access-date=2021-07-05|website=southburnett.com.au|language=en-AU}}</ref>

== Demographics == In the {{CensusAU|2011}}, the localities of Blackbutt and Benarkin had a combined population of 1,055 people.<ref name=Census2011>{{Census 2011 AUS|id=SSC30172|name=Blackbutt (SSC)|access-date=29 May 2014|quick=on}}</ref>

In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, the locality of Blackbutt had a population of 836 people.<ref name=Census2016>{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC30274|name=Blackbutt (SSC)|access-date=20 October 2018|quick=on}}</ref>

In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the locality of Blackbutt had a population of 799 people.<ref name=Census2021>{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL30272|name=Blackbutt (SAL)|access-date=28 February 2023|quick=on}}</ref>

== Transport == Blackbutt is the site of the [[Queensland Government]]'s first trial of using [[fibre-reinforced plastic|fibre composite]] in bridge building when it was used in the replacement of Taromeo Creek bridge in 2005.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lucas|first=Paul|title=New Blackbutt Bridge Safer|url=http://southburnett.com.au/pdfs/20050404bridge.pdf|work=Press Release: 04/04/05|publisher=[[Queensland Government]]|access-date=20 May 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303210326/http://southburnett.com.au/pdfs/20050404bridge.pdf|archive-date=3 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=McCormick|first=Louise|title=Taromeo Creek Bridge – The first fibre composite bridge bridge on Queensland's road network|url=http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/busind/techstdpubs/Queensland%20roads%20technical%20journal/March%202006/QR_Mar06_TaromeoCreek.pdf|work=Queensland Roads|publisher=[[Queensland Government]]|access-date=20 May 2014|date=March 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521031202/http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/busind/techstdpubs/Queensland%20roads%20technical%20journal/March%202006/QR_Mar06_TaromeoCreek.pdf|archive-date=21 May 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Fibre composite materials are much stronger than steel and concrete but also much lighter and do not rust.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fibre Composite Projects|url=http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/busind/techstdpubs/Technical%20notes/TN54FibeCompositeProjects.pdf|work=Technical Note 54|publisher=[[Queensland Government]]|access-date=20 May 2014|date=August 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521031926/http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/busind/techstdpubs/Technical%20notes/TN54FibeCompositeProjects.pdf|archive-date=21 May 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

== Education == Blackbutt State School is a government primary (Prep–6) school for boys and girls at Crofton Street (bounded by Sutton Street, Margaret Street, and Pine Street) {{coord|-26.8905|152.1039|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Blackbutt State School}}).<ref name=SchoolList2018>{{cite web|url=https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997|title=State and non-state school details|publisher=[[Queensland Government]]|date=9 July 2018|access-date=21 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121065959/https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997|archive-date=21 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blackbuttss.eq.edu.au/|title=Blackbutt State School|access-date=7 April 2021}}</ref> In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 165 students with 12 teachers (11 full-time equivalent) and 18 non-teaching staff (9 full-time equivalent).<ref name=ACARA2017>{{cite web|url=http://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-20172c7b12404c94637ead88ff00003e0139.xlsx?sfvrsn=0|title=ACARA School Profile 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122010027/http://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-20172c7b12404c94637ead88ff00003e0139.xlsx?sfvrsn=0|archive-date=22 November 2018|url-status=live|access-date=22 November 2018}}</ref>

There are no secondary schools in Blackbutt. The nearest government secondary schools are [[Yarraman State School]] (to Year 9) in [[Yarraman]] to the west and [[Nanango State High School]] (to Year 12) in [[Nanango]] to the north-west.<ref name="globeschools">{{cite web |title=Layers: Locality; Schools and school catchments |url=https://qldglobe.information.qld.gov.au/ |access-date=25 October 2025 |website=Queensland Globe |publisher=[[Queensland Government]] |archive-date=19 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171219175447/https://qldglobe.information.qld.gov.au/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Amenities == [[File:Blackbutt civic clock.jpg|thumb|Dominating the main street is the distinctive mid-century modern (MCM) styled town clock.]]The [[South Burnett Regional Council]] operates a public library in Blackbutt at 69 Hart Street ({{Coord|-26.8843|152.1017|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|display=|name=Blackbutt Library}}).<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.southburnett.qld.gov.au/locate-a-library |title = Locate a Library - South Burnett Regional Council |publisher = South Burnett Regional Council |access-date = 2016-02-26 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180131025843/http://www.southburnett.qld.gov.au/locate-a-library |archive-date = 31 January 2018 |df = dmy-all }}</ref>

The Blackbutt Yarraman branch of the [[Queensland Country Women's Association]] meets at the QCWA Hall at 65 Coulson Street ({{Coord|-26.8856|152.1027|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|display=|name=Country Women's Association hall}}).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.qcwa.org.au/branch-locations/|title=Branch Locations|publisher=[[Queensland Country Women's Association]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226010724/http://www.qcwa.org.au/branch-locations/|access-date=26 December 2018|archive-date=26 December 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Infrastructure == The town water supply is primarily supplied by [[Boondooma Dam]] with [[Boobir Dam]] as a second source.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blackbutt Water Quality |url=https://www.southburnett.qld.gov.au/Your-Council/Publications-Media/Media-Releases/Blackbutt-Water-Quality |access-date=2025-10-26 |publisher=South Burnett Regional Council}}</ref>

== Events == The Blackbutt Avocado Festival has been held annually in September since 2016, replacing the former Bloomin Beautiful Blackbutt Festival. It features avocado cooking demonstrations, avocado tossing competitions, presentations on farming avocados, in addition to other festival events, such as arts and craft displays, woodchop competitions and live music.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.avofest.com.au/about|title=About|website=Blackbutt Avocado Festival|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023013909/https://www.avofest.com.au/about|archive-date=2019-10-23|access-date=2019-10-23}}</ref>

== Attractions == The [[Brisbane Valley Rail Trail]] passes through Blackbutt, following the route of the former railway line. It is for walking cycling and horse riding; no motorised vehicles are permitted.<ref>{{cite web|title=Moore to Blackbutt|url=http://www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/bvrt/moore-blackbutt.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531202557/http://www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/bvrt/moore-blackbutt.html|archive-date=31 May 2014|access-date=29 May 2014|work=Brisbane Valley Rail Trail|publisher=[[Queensland Government]]|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The former [[Nukku]] school building was relocated to Hart Street ({{coord|-26.8835|152.1013|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Roy Emerson Museum}}) in Blackbutt to house the Roy Emerson Museum celebrating tennis player [[Roy Emerson]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Anne Scheu|date=26 Aug 2016|title=How the Roy Emerson Museum came about|url=http://blogs.slq.qld.gov.au/jol/2016/08/29/how-the-roy-emerson-museum-came-about/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424135731/http://blogs.slq.qld.gov.au/jol/2016/08/29/how-the-roy-emerson-museum-came-about/|archive-date=24 April 2018|access-date=24 Apr 2018|publisher=John Oxley Library|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Roy Emerson Museum|url=https://www.queensland.com/au/en/things-to-do/attractions/p-57b16339972979ec0866d105-roy-emerson-museum.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125041805/https://www.queensland.com/au/en/things-to-do/attractions/p-57b16339972979ec0866d105-roy-emerson-museum.html|archive-date=25 January 2021|access-date=2021-01-25|website=www.queensland.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Roy Emerson Museum|url=https://www.discoversouthburnett.com.au/attractions/galleries-museums-and-collections/roy-emerson-museum/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811074410/https://www.discoversouthburnett.com.au/attractions/galleries-museums-and-collections/roy-emerson-museum/|archive-date=11 August 2020|access-date=2021-01-25|website=Discover South Burnett|language=en-AU}}</ref>

== References == {{reflist|2}}

== Further reading ==

* {{cite book |last=Stocks |first=Sydney N. |title=To school along the public way : Blackbutt State School centenary 1896-1996 |last2=Morton |first2=Max |date=1995 |publisher=Centenary Book Committee, Blackbutt State School |isbn=0646271628}} — via [https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/11l3i0/alma997360734702061 State Library of Queensland]

* {{Cite book | author1=Rucker, Audrey | title=Benarkin State School jubilee 1910–1985 : some history of the district and the school | publication-date=1984 | publisher=Benarkin State School | url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/8414983 }}

== External links == {{commons category|Blackbutt, Queensland}} * {{cite web|url=http://queenslandplaces.com.au/blackbutt|title=Blackbutt|publisher=Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland|website=Queensland Places}} * {{cite web|url=https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-town-blackbutt-1984.jpg|title=Town map of Blackbutt|date=1984|publisher=[[Queensland Government]]}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070620104122/http://www.blackbutt.net.au/ Blackbutt online] – Community site *[http://www.chapelhill.homeip.net/FamilyHistory/Photos/Blackbutt_Benarkin-Nanango/ Blackbutt-Benarkin cemetery]

[[Category:Towns in Queensland]] [[Category:South Burnett Region]] [[Category:Populated places established in 1887]] [[Category:1887 establishments in Australia]] [[Category:Localities in Queensland]]