Gracemere and Rockhampton Shire

Chatterton Park is situated within the Rockhampton Shire (previously known as Fitzroy Shire) formed by its major city, Rockhampton, and surrounding towns.

Rockhampton is the unofficial capital of Central Queensland. It is located 638 km North of Brisbane, 8 metres above sea level and just a few kilometres north of the Tropic of Capricorn. Rockhampton’s population is approximately 60,000 while the total population of the district is approximately 100,000 people. The region was first explored by Charles & William Archer who discovered and named the Fitzroy River in May 1853. The town grew slowly with the first store being built 1856 and the first inn appearing six months later.

The discovery of gold at Cannona in 1858 resulted in a sudden influx of miners and prospectors; although the gold rush was short lived it did ensure a dramatic increase in the local population, as some people stayed to work on the surrounding cattle properties while others found work in Rockhampton, which had grown significantly as a result of the rush.

It is not easy to forget that in the past the wealth of the region has been largely based on the cattle industry and this is evident by the life size statues of the bulls at each end of the town as well as on top of a few buildings. Positioned on the major north-south rail and road arteries of Queensland, Rockhampton is the logical centre for servicing the needs of the vast hinterland areas of Central and Western Queensland

In recent times Rockhampton has been boosted further by the mining activities in the Bowen Basin where towns like Blackwater, Dysart and Moura produce vast quantities of coal which is transported to the coast by rail and shipped overseas.

The latest announcement, by Waratah Coal mining company is a plan to establish a $5.3 Billion coal mining project only a short distance from Gracemere. This should bring a world of opportunities, new employment and lifestyle to this rapidly growing region.

Of course, all of this economic development brings with it an increased need for quality housing construction in the region.