Millaroo

Millaroo is a rural town and locality in the Shire of Burdekin, Queensland, Australia.

Millaroo is a rural town and locality in the Shire of Burdekin, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census the locality of Millaroo had a population of 96 people.

The name Millaroo comes from Millaroo Creek, which in turn was recorded by surveyor Robert Abbott in 1895, but the original of that name are unknown. There was a pastoral property of that name.Following World War II a number of soldier settlement blocks were established in the area for the purpose of growing tobacco, but it was not successful.In 1952 there was a plan to establish a new irrigation area along the Burdekin River based around a new town. The town to be called Millaroo was to be established as a "modern" "first class" planned town with reserves, parks, and industrial zones suitable for a population of 6,000 (a similar population to that of Ayr at that time). The buildings were to be constructed with brick and concrete to reduce the fire risk.In 1952 the Millaroo Research Station was established by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Stock to undertake agricultural research to benefit North Queensland.The Burdekin Gorge Weir (20.4726°S 147.2905°E? / -20.4726; 147.2905? (Burdekin Gorge Weir)) on the Burdekin River (between Ravenswood and Mount Wyatt) was completed in November 1953 to provide water for irrigation. This led to the land at Millaroo switching to growing sugarcane.Millaroo State School opened on 19 July 1954.Millaroo Post Office opened on 1 July 1955 and closed in 1972.At the 2011 census, Millaroo had a population of 200.In the 2016 census the locality of Millaroo had a population of 96 people.