Julago is a rural locality in the City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia.[2] It will be the site of a large masterplanned real estate development in the years ahead.[3] In the 2021 census, Julago had a population of 384 people.[1]
The Bruce Highway enters the locality from the east (Alligator Creek / Nome), passes through the valley, exiting the locality to the north-west (Stuart). The North Coast railway line enters the locality from the north-east (Nome), passes through the valley to the north of the highway, and exits to the north-west (Stuart).[5]
Most of the housing in the locality is in this valley, easily accessed from the highway. The south part of the locality is used for grazing by the Rocky Springs station.[5]
History
The locality was named and bounded on 27 July 1991. The name comes from the Julago railway station, assigned by the Queensland Railways Department from 7 May 1942 (as part of a World War II emergency crossing loop). The name is reportedly an Aboriginal word, meaning plains turkey.[2]
In November 2016, the Deputy Premier of Queensland, Jackie Trad, announced that Townsville's largest master-planned community would be built on the Rocky Springs Land in a new development called Elliot Springs. When completed in 2050 (estimated), the 1,609-hectare (3,980-acre) estate will have over 10,600 homes and over 26,000 residents. Trad committed the Queensland Government to spend $15M on water and road infrastructure as part of co-investment with property developer Lendlease. The name Elliot Springs reflects that Mount Elliot will be the backdrop to the new development, which will also have views of Mount Jack, Mount Stuart and the Muntalunga Ranges.[3]
LendLease expect the first display village with homes constructed by 13 building companies will open in January 2019.[6]
Demographics
In the 2016 census, Julago had a population of 113 people.[7]
In the 2021 census, Julago had a population of 384 people.[1]
