Pentland, Queensland

Pentland is a town and locality in the Charters Towers Region in north-western Queensland, Australia.[2][3]

Pentland
Queensland
Pentland
Coordinates20°31′0″S 145°24′0″E
Population306 (2016 census)[1]
Postcode(s)4816
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10)
Location
LGA(s)Charters Towers Region
RegionNorth Queensland
State electorate(s)Traeger
Federal Division(s)Kennedy
Localities around Pentland:
Porcupine Basalt Homestead
Torrens Creek Pentland Campaspe
Aramac Laglan Llanarth
Belyando

Geography

Pentland is located between Charters Towers and Hughenden. Pentland is about 140 kilometres (87 mi) away from the town of Hughenden and 240 kilometres (150 mi) from the North Queensland city of Townsville. Hughenden has about 2000 people and Charters Towers has about 9000. Pentland's population is estimated to be 250 people.[4]

In the east, a small section of the Campaspe River flows through Pentland. White Mountains National Park has been established in the north. The Cape River rises in the area. In the south is the salt lake known as Lake Buchanan.

The Flinders Highway passes through Pentland (both town and locality) from east to west, as does the Great Northern railway line.[5] Pentland is serviced by the Pentland railway station.[6]

The former town of Capeville (20°27′00″S 145°22′00″E) on the Cape River is within the locality of Pentland approximately 10 km NNW of the town of Pentland.[7]

History
Train at Pentland railway station in 1929

The Cape River goldfields opened in July 1867 on the advice of geologist Richard Daintree.[8] By 1870 there were over 20,000 men working the goldfield but by 1873, the population of Capeville had reduced to about 30.[9]

Bett's Creek Post Office opened on 7 October 1884. It was renamed Pentland in 1885.[10]

The 2013 Australian Federal Government budget included funds for a feasibility study on "the potential to develop land for sugarcane production, milling, ethanol and cogeneration infrastructure in the Pentland region."[11]

Pentland Meatworks

Locally known as the Pentland Meatworks (or Cape River Meatworks) was opened in 1943 to meet the additional needs of Australian and American forces arriving in north Queensland during World War II.[12]

The meatworks saw the township of Pentland thrive. In the early 70s there were two grocery stores and the Pentland State School had around 70 enrolled students, the town pool was opened and the town's only hotel, the Pentland Hotel Motel was renovated and thriving.[13]

The meatworks was passed through several hands after end of WWII in 1945 meant the army no longer had a need for the facility. The meatworks eventually closed in September 1989.[12]

Transport
Preceding station Queensland Rail Following station
Long distance rail services
Charters Towers
towards Townsville
 The Inlander Torrens Creek
towards Mount Isa

Education

The Pentland State School was opened on 11 May 1885.[14]

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Pentland (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  2. "Pentland – town (entry 26410)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  3. "Pentland – locality (entry 49794)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  4. "Our Region – Pentland". Charters Towers Regional Council. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
  5. "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  6. "Pentland – railway station (entry 26412)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  7. "Capeville – locality unbounded (entry 6148)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  8. "CAPE RIVER GOLD-FIELDS". The Brisbane Courier. XXII (3, 064). Queensland, Australia. 6 August 1867. p. 3. Retrieved 19 April 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. "MR. JARDINE ON THE NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS". The Brisbane Courier. XXVII (4, 793). Queensland, Australia. 8 February 1873. p. 5. Retrieved 19 April 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  11. Federal Budget, Commonwealth of Australia, published 14 May 2013
  12. Protection, jurisdiction=Queensland; sector=government; corporateName=Department of Environment and Heritage. "Cape River Meat Works". www.ww2places.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  13. "Pentland abattoir | Australian Abattoirs". australianabattoirs.wordpress.com. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  14. "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
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