Rita Island is a coastal and rural locality in the Shire of Burdekin, Queensland, Australia.[2] In the 2021 census, Rita Island had a population of 172 people.[1]
The Burdekin River breaks into two branches as it approaches the Coral Sea and Rita Island is the island that lies between the two branches.[3][4]
Road and rail access is via the Anabranch Bridge across the northern anabranch (19°37′31″S 147°28′57″E / 19.6253°S 147.4825°E / -19.6253; 147.4825 (Anabranch Bridge)), which can be inaccessible if the Burdekin River is in flood.[5]
The land use is predominantly growing sugarcane. There is a cane tramway network to transport the harvested sugarcane to the Kalamia sugar mill in Brandon.[3]
In the 2016 census, Rita Island had a population of 152 people.[6]
In the 2021 census, Rita Island had a population of 172 people.[1]
There are no schools in Rita Island. The nearest government primary school is Jarvisfield State School in neighbouring Jarvisfield to the north-west. The nearest government secondary school is Ayr State High School in Ayr to the north-west.[3]
Rita Island SES Facility is at 3 Jones Road (19°37′47″S 147°30′16″E / 19.6297°S 147.5044°E / -19.6297; 147.5044 (Rita Island SES Facility)).[7]
Hell Hole Landing boat ramp is at Hodder Road (19°37′19″S 147°33′56″E / 19.6220°S 147.5656°E / -19.6220; 147.5656 (Hell Hole Landing boat ramp)). It is managed by the Burdekin Shire Council.[8]