Shire of Esk

The Shire of Esk was a local government area in South East Queensland, Australia, located about 90 kilometres (56 mi) west - northwest of Brisbane.

Esk covered an area of 3,936.2 square kilometres (1,519.8 sq mi), and existed from 1879 until its merger with the Shire of Kilcoy to form the Somerset Region on 15 March 2008.

The Durundur Division was incorporated on 11 November 1879 under the Divisional Boards Act 1879 with a population of 1428.

In 1980, the Council of the Shire of Esk adopted the head of the red deer as its logo, honouring a gift from Queen Victoria in September 1873 to the district.

On 15 March 2008, under the Local Government (Reform Implementation) Act 2007 passed by the Parliament of Queensland on 10 August 2007, the Shire of Esk merged with the Shire of Kilcoy to form the Somerset Region.

Map of Esk Division and adjacent local government areas, March 1902. Legend: Brassall Division (9), Walloon Division (17)
Alexander Smith, chairman of Esk Shire for many years