Howard - a Coal Mining Town?
These days it’s hard to believe that Howard was once a booming coal mining town but between 1866 and 1977 that’s exactly what it was. Historians suggest that the coal mining at Howard also had a lot to do with the development of Hervey Bay with much of the coal production being shipped out from Urangan Pier.
Today there’s very little to see of what once made Howard a boom town but a photographic exhibition and artefacts housed in the Howard Museum can certainly give you some idea of what life was like in Howard back then.
The Howard Museum is housed in the Tom and Minnie Young Memorial Hall.
March 12th, 2006 at 9:54 am
I have heard that there is a slight chance that the mines in Howard may restart, is this even remotely possible? Premier Beattie has stated that there are many years worth of coal in the ground in Queensland though, ideally, that is where he wants it to stay. It would be a great money spinner for the region but then that comes with the stigma that is, well, coal.
March 12th, 2006 at 2:16 pm
Brian - I’m not sure whether there is still coal in the ground around Howard or not but I’m sure that somewhere in my wandering around Government Department websites I did see something about a recent mining lease out that way.
It will be interesting to ask around and see what the situation really is - and it would be great if mining was to restart. The region desperately needs something more than tourism and sea-changers to boost the local economy.
May 12th, 2007 at 8:39 am
I am hopping to find some further info in reff to mining lease around Howard . Would you be able to give me some details or leads on who could be involved as coming from Hervey Bay ( Pialba ) it would be so good to live & work in the place you love . This could be the best thing for the bay as we all know so many in the Bay have unfortunately have become unemployable due to loose of motivation and or lack of training available in town . I find it so hard to wear that coal is called so bad for the planet when so called environmentalist can be building rocket ships for joy flights . Best we fill a plane up with the smartest people in the world to have a summit to find out we have global warming and then fly them back home . Hope you will be able to help to find more info on Howard
January 28th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Hello I am thinking of buying property at Herey Bay based on the mines in the area opening. Do you think that this may happen somewhere around the area in the next 3-6 years?
January 28th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Phill - unfortunately I really can’t help you with that because I don’t know. There was a rumour that the land involved was tied up in a native title claim but whether that’s the reality or just a rumour I can’t say.
July 24th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Hi
I am looking for information on Thomas and Minnie Young and William and Elsie Young from Howard, I am his neice, I am doing my family history and my brother and myself are very interested in Thomas and Williams army history, is there any things of interest in the Thomas and Minnie Young Memorial Hall or is it just about Coal Mines that were there.
Thank you Sharyn