title: Isaac Region
text: # Isaac Region
  
  The Isaac Region is a local government area located in Central Queensland, Queensland, Australia created in March 2008 as a result of the report of the Local Government Reform Commission released in July 2007.
  
  ## History
  
  Yagalingu is an Australian Aboriginal language of Central Queensland. Its traditional language region was within the local government area of Isaac Region, from the headwaters of the Belyando River south to Avoca, north to Laglan, west to the Great Dividing Range, and east and south to Drummond Range.
  
  Prior to 2008, the Isaac Region was an entire area of three previous and distinct local government areas:
  
  * the Shire of Belyando;
  * the Shire of Broadsound (taking its name from Broad Sound);
  * and the Shire of Nebo.
  
  The report recommended that the new local government area should not be divided into wards and should elect eight councillors and a mayor. The Isaac Regional Council covers an area of 58,708 square kilometres (22,667 sq mi), had a population in 2018 of 20,934 and an operating budget of A$46.0m.
  
  The region takes its name from the Isaac River, which in turn takes its name from Queensland pioneer Frederick Isaac who accompanied the explorer Ludwig Leichhardt on his first expedition.
  
  ## Towns and localities
  
  The Isaac Region includes the following settlements:
  
  $^*$ - The former town of Blair Athol, obliterated by the Blair Athol coal mine was within the region.
  
  ## Islands
  
  Isaac also includes several uninhabited islands, including the Flat Isles, with Avoid Island, which is an important habitat for the flatback sea turtle.
  
  ## Libraries
  
  Isaac Regional Council operates public libraries in Carmila, Clermont, Dysart, Glenden, Middlemount, Moranbah, Nebo, and St Lawrence.
  
  ## Mayors
  
  * 2008–2012: Cedric Marshall
  * 2012–2016: Anne Baker
  * 2016–present : Anne Michelle Baker
  
  ## Population
  
  The populations given relate to the component entities prior to 2008.
  
  | Year | Total Region | Belyando | Broadsound | Nebo |
  | - | - | - | - | - |
  | 1933 | 4,971 | 2,987 | 1,590 | 394 |
  | 1947 | 5,016 | 3,067 | 1,415 | 534 |
  | 1954 | 5,088 | 3,104 | 1,537 | 447 |
  | 1961 | 5,367 | 3,253 | 1,539 | 575 |
  | 1966 | 5,101 | 2,997 | 1,625 | 479 |
  | 1971 | 7,200 | 4,834 | 1,589 | 777 |
  | 1976 | 11,389 | 7,210 | 3,379 | 800 |
  | 1981 | 15,522 | 7,700 | 6,908 | 914 |
  | 1986 | 22,133 | 11,362 | 8,419 | 2,352 |
  | 1991 | 22,188 | 11,082 | 8,472 | 2,634 |
  | 1996 | 20,703 | 10,755 | 7,486 | 2,462 |
  | 2001 | 19,013 | 9,883 | 6,601 | 2,529 |
  | 2006 | 19,820 | 10,455 | 6,843 | 2,522 |
  | 2016 | 20,940 | | | |
  