Named after the district which takes its name from the bay sighted by Captain Cook on 18 May 1770.
Area and Location Description:
Wide Bay covers an area of approximately 14 573 sq km from Weyba Downs and Peregian Beach in the SE; from Fraser Island in the NE; from Booubyjan in the NW to the township of Cherbourg in the SW and Bella Creek in the south. Major population centres are Maryborough, Noosa Heads and Gympie. The World Heritage listed Fraser Island (the world's largest sand island) is located in the Division.
Products/industries of the area:
Eco-tourism (Fraser Island), historical attractions (Maryborough), natural attractions (Cooloola Coast) timber, dairying, grain, grazing, sugar, tropical fruit orchards, and railway rolling stock (including Queensland's 'tilt' trains).
First proclaimed/election:
1900/1901
Demographic rating:
Rural
Members:
Truss, W (LNQ) 1990–
Millar, P C (CP/NCP/NP) 1974–1990
Hansen, B P (ALP) 1961–1974
Bandidt, H N C (CP) 1958–1961
Brand, W A (CP) 1954–1958
Corser, B H (CP) 1928–1954
Corser, E B C (LIB/NAT) 1915–1928
Fisher, A (ALP) 1901–1915
