Balranald Shire
Balranald Shire is a local government area in the Riverina area of western New South Wales, Australia on the Sturt Highway. It is the location of World Heritage listed Mungo National Park. It includes the towns of Balranald and Euston. Other localities in the Shire include Kyalite, Hatfield, Penarie, Clare and Oxley.
| Balranald Shire New South Wales | |||||||||||||||
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 location in NSW | |||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 34°37′S 143°34′E | ||||||||||||||
| Population |
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| • Density | 0.105426/km2 (0.27305/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 21,693 km2 (8,375.7 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Mayor | none | ||||||||||||||
| Council seat | Balranald | ||||||||||||||
| Region | Riverina | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Murray | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Farrer | ||||||||||||||
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| Website | Balranald Shire | ||||||||||||||
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As of January 29, 2020, the Balranald Shire Council Mayor and elected members were dismissed by NSW local government minister Shelley Hancock, after the recommendations of the report of commissioner Roslyn McCulloch. Mike Colreavy has been appointing the administrator until local council elections in 2024.
Demographics
| Selected historical census data for Balranald Shire local government area | ||||||
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| Census year | 2011[3] | 2016[1] | ||||
| Population | Estimated residents on census night | 2,283 |  2,287 | |||
| LGA rank in terms of size within New South Wales | 127th | 126th | ||||
| % of New South Wales population | 0.03% |  0.03%
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| % of Australian population | 0.01% | 0.01%
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| Cultural and language diversity | ||||||
| Ancestry, top responses | Australian | 32.3% |  31.6%
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| English | 24.9% | 25.1%
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| Irish | 8.9% | 10.1%
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| Italian | 10.3% | 9.0%
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| Scottish | 5.7% | 5.9%
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| Language, top responses (other than English) | Italian | 4.4% | 3.0%
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| Fijian | n/c | 0.6%
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| Mandarin | 0.3% | 0.5%
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| Tongan | 0.6% | 0.4%
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| Arabic | 0.4% | 0.4%
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| Religious affiliation | ||||||
| Religious affiliation, top responses | Catholic | 39.3% | 35.7%
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| No religion | 13.6% | 20.8%
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| Anglican | 16.5% | 15.0%
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| Not stated | n/c | 12.7%
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| Presbyterian and Reformed | 8.6% | 6.9%
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| Median weekly incomes | ||||||
| Personal income | Median weekly personal income | A$470 | A$624 | |||
| % of Australian median income | 81.5% | 94.3%
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| Family income | Median weekly family income | A$1126 | A$1438 | |||
| % of Australian median income | 76.0% | 82.9%
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| Household income | Median weekly household income | A$894 | A$1174 | |||
| % of Australian median income | 72.4% | 81.6%
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Council
Current composition and election method
The Balranald Shire Council is currently under administration, as of January 29, 2020. NSW local government minister Shelley Hancock accepted the recommendations of the report created by commissioner Roslyn McCulloch.
Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock accepted the recommendation from the independent commissioner of the public inquiry to dismiss the council's mayor and councillors and appoint an administrator to address financial and structural issues.
The report, which has been tabled in Parliament, found: • The council has failed to command the confidence of its community • Councillors have failed to appreciate the need for sound and consistent financial principles, with division among councillors affecting decision making; • An absence of understanding by councillors of the importance of transparency in decision making, including inappropriate closure of council meetings; • The council has failed to act as a responsible employer, particularly regarding the interaction between councillors and council staff, resulting in the loss of valuable personnel; and • The council has failed to comply with its obligations as Reserve Trust Manager under the Crown Lands Act in relation to Balranald Caravan Park.
“I have not taken the decision to dismiss the council lightly,” Mrs Hancock said.
“The ratepayers of Balranald Shire deserve a strong council that is representing the best interests of the community.
“I have accepted the recommendation by Commissioner Roslyn McCulloch to dismiss the elected representatives and appoint an administrator to perform the role of the mayor and councillors until 2024.
“This course of action will provide the best possible way to strengthen the operation, performance and sustainability of the council and ensure it is serving the best interests of the local community.”
Mike Colreavy has been appointed administrator of Balranald Shire Council. Mr Colreavy has 37 years’ experience in the local government sector at metropolitan, regional and rural councils including holding various general manager positions.
Localities
| Town | Population |
|---|---|
| Balranald | 1,343 |
| Clare | |
| Condoulpe | |
| Euston | 839 |
| Hatfield | 11 |
| Kyalite | 82 |
| Oxley | 33 |
| Penarie |
References
- Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Balranald (A)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
- "3218.0 – Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2017-18". Australian Bureau of Statistics. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2019. Estimated resident population (ERP) at 30 June 2018.
- Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Balranald (A)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 7 July 2017.