Central Highlands Regional Council was created on 15 March 2008 following amalgamation of the former Shires of Bauhinia, Duaringa, Emerald and Peak Downs. Our region extends over approximately 60,000 square kilometres, stretching from Arcadia Valley in the south to the Peak Ranges in the north, east from Boolburra to Bogantungan in the west. We administer in excess of $800 million in assets, including ten library branches, six aquatic centres and seven customer service centres. We maintain 4632 km of roads and numerous parks and gardens, including the impressive botanical gardens in Emerald, the linear parkland in Capella and the Japanese Gardens in Blackwater. Other services include youth and indigenous programs, art spaces, cultural and community development, animal management, public housing, water and sewerage, waste collection and kerbside recycling.