The Cooloola National Park Timeline

1866

Timber getters began felling timber in the Kin Kin Scrubs.

1869

A sawmill was constructed and began operating at Mill Point.

1870

Logging of Cooloola’s sandmass forests commenced.

1871

A settlement was established at Mill Point.

1874

A school opened at Mill Point.

1878

A telephone connection was installed, and plans were announced for a four-mile railway to be hauled by horses or a small traction engine.

1892

The Mill Point sawmill closed.

At the time, the cemetery contained:

• 10 men
• 4 women
• 33 children

1910–1970

The region saw the expansion of grazing and dairy industries.

1963

The beginning of the “Cooloola Conflict”.

The Noosa Parks Development Association opposed proposed sand mining operations along Teewah Beach.

1964

Cudgen Rutile Pty Ltd was joined by Queensland Titanium Mines Pty Ltd to continue prospecting and applying for mining leases.

The NPDA also applied to the Forestry Department for the creation of a National Park on the Cooloola sandmass.

1966

Queensland Titanium Mines began mining operations at Inskip Point.

The Commonwealth Government called tenders to mine at Double Island Point.

1968

The Queensland Government released its first National Park proposal covering 1,000 acres along the top of the sandmass.

The Commonwealth Government again called tenders for mining at Double Island Point.

1969

The Forestry Department proposed a National Park of approximately 60,000 acres within Cooloola State Forest.

The Government promised a National Park covering “a substantial area”.

1970

Cudgen Rutile and Queensland Titanium Mines applied for 11 mining leases totalling 10,500 acres.

Following strong public concern, the Government rejected the applications. Both mining companies threatened legal action.

The Cooloola Committee was formed to coordinate campaign activities in Brisbane.

1971

Boronia keysii was rediscovered in the Kin Kin Creek area.

1972

The road to Freshwater was constructed.

1973

Mining commenced on leases between Double Island Point and Freshwater Creek.

A separation plant and stockpile were established at Freshwater Creek, with minerals transported down the beach to Tewantin.

1974

Plans for the proposed Cooloola National Park were published.

However, the Central State Forest core and Western Catchment were excluded.

The Cooloola Committee campaigned for inclusion of the Western Catchment and undertook a botanical survey of the area.

During the same year, Cambridge Credit Corporation — owner of Elanda Plains and approximately 2,000 acres on the North Shore — went into liquidation.

1975

The National Parks and Wildlife Service was formed from the National Parks Branch of the Forestry Department and the Fauna Branch of the DPI.

The Australian Government purchased Elanda Plains for the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Cooloola National Park was officially gazetted one month after Widgee Shire Council secured pumping rights to remove 1.2 million gallons of water daily from Teewah Creek within park boundaries.

1977

Mining ceased on leases along Teewah Beach.

1978

The National Parks and Wildlife Service rerouted the Freshwater Road.