Valkyrie, Queensland

Valkyrie is a rural locality in the Isaac Region, Queensland, Australia.[2] In the 2016 census Valkyrie had a population of 122 people.[1]

Valkyrie
Queensland
Valkyrie is located in Queensland
Valkyrie
Valkyrie
Coordinates22.1938°S 148.6649°E / -22.1938; 148.6649 (Valkyrie (centre of locality))
Population122 (2016 census)[1]
 • Density0.04701/km2 (0.1217/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4742
Area2,595.4 km2 (1,002.1 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
LGA(s)Isaac Region
State electorate(s)
Federal division(s)Capricornia
Suburbs around Valkyrie:
Coppabella Oxford Oxford
Dysart Valkyrie Lotus Creek
Dysart May Downs May Downs

Geography

The Isaac River passes through the locality forming part of the locality's south-western boundary. The Fitzroy Developmental Road passes through the locality from north to south.[3]

The Duania open-cut coal mine is in the western part of the locality and is serviced by the Goonyella railway line.[4] However, the land use of Valkyrie is predominantly cattle grazing.[5]

History

Valkyrie State School opened on 9 January 1974.[6]

In 2011, there was a proposal to develop the Codrilla coal mine on a site approximately 800 metres from the school. The proposal included the relocation of the school and its teacher's residence to a new location to avoid any environmental impacts from the mine.[7][8] As of 2017, the mine proposal and school relocation have not yet occurred.

In the 2016 census Valkyrie had a population of 122 people.[1]

Education

Valkyrie State School is a government primary (Early Childhood-6) school for boys and girls at 43092 Fitzroy Developmental Road (22.0594°S 148.5794°E / -22.0594; 148.5794 (Valkyrie State School)).[9][10] In 2016, the school had an enrolment of 19 students with 2 teachers and 6 non-teaching staff (2 full-time equivalent).[5] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 22 students with 3 teachers (2 full-time equivalent) and 5 non-teaching staff (2 full-time equivalent).[11]

Water supply issue

Valkyrie State School has become known for its ongoing struggle in attempting to obtain a permanent water supply since opening in 1974.[12][13][14][15]

In 2015, a student suffered a broken arm after falling on the dry surface of the school's unwatered oval.[12] Students were subsequently banned from playing on the oval to prevent similar incidents from occurring.[12] Since June 2020, the school has been relying on a mining company Peabody Energy to transport potable water to supplement the school's rainwater tanks free of charge.[14] The school's rainwater tanks ran out of water in May 2021.[14]

In 2021, the school was banned by the state government from accepting donated water from any company apart from its own commercial business unit QBuild.[15] The Parents & Citizens' Association, the Isolated Children's Parent's Association and local MP Dale Last have all criticised the state government's handling of the issue.[13] The government was also criticised by the P&C for not allocating any money in the 2021 state budget to address the lack of water supply at Valkyrie State School, despite funding ten new schools in South East Queensland, and allocating money for new infrastructure at Parkhurst State School.[15]

According to the Department of Education, an additional three new water tanks with ultraviolet filtration would be installed at the school in 2021.[12] However, the P&C said they would prefer a permanent water source and proposed that the school either be connected to the nearest pipeline or have a nearby dam rehabilitated so water could be pumped to the school from there.[14]

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Valkyrie (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  2. "Valkyrie – locality in Isaac Region (entry 47040)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  3. "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  4. "Daunia Mine". Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 19 November 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  5. "2016 Annual Report" (PDF). Valkyrie State School. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 November 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  6. Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
  7. "EIS Assessment Report for the Codrilla Coal Mine Project" (PDF). Department of Environment and Heritage Protection. October 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 November 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  8. "School brawl over new site". Mackay Daily Mercury. Queensland Government. 24 November 2011. Archived from the original on 19 November 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  9. "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  10. "Valkyrie State School". Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  11. "ACARA School Profile 2018". Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  12. Loftus, Tobi; Macqueen, Cristy-Lee; Maddison, Melissa (22 May 2021). "Valkyrie State School trucks in water, bans students from playing on hard, unsafe oval". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  13. Gall, Sally (3 June 2021). "Valkyrie school's water drought appalls at ICPA conference". Queensland Country Life. Australian Community Media. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  14. Cameron, Domanii; Booth, Kristen (6 June 2021). "Parents' fury as regional Qld school runs out of water". The Sunday Mail. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  15. Booth, Kristen (19 June 2021). "Valkyrie State School water crisis continues after missing out on funding in state budget". Central Queensland News. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
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