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Bland Shire
New South Wales
Bland LGA NSW.png
Location in New South Wales
Population
 • Density 0.7004/km2 (1.814/sq mi)
Area 8,560 km2 (3,305.0 sq mi)
Mayor Brian Monaghan (Independent)
Council seat West Wyalong
Region New South Wales Riverina
State electorate(s) Cootamundra
Federal Division(s)
Bland Shire Council Logo.png
Website Bland Shire
LGAs around Bland Shire:
Carrathool Lachlan Forbes
Carrathool Bland Shire Weddin
Griffith Narrandera Temora

Bland Shire is a local government area in the Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia. it covers an area of 8,560 square kilometres (3,310 sq mi). As at the 2016 census the population was 5,995. It is a member of the League of Extraordinary Communities which was established by Dull, Perth and Kinross, Scotland, UK and Boring, Oregon, US.

The major economic activities of the shire are agriculture, mining, transport, tourism and wholesale distribution.

History

The farm community of Bland Shire was a former gold prospecting site in the Riverina region, centred on West Wyalong.

The shire was named in honour of William Bland.

Location and settlements

Bland Shire is located on the boundary between the central west and Riverina regions. The area is adjacent to the Newell and Mid-Western highways.

The largest town and council seat is West Wyalong. The region also includes the towns of Wyalong, Barmedman, Tallimba, Ungarie, Weethalle and Mirrool. The major economic activities of the shire are agriculture, mining, transport, tourism and wholesale distribution.

Twin towns

In 2013, the community joined Dull in Perthshire, Scotland and Boring in Oregon, US to create a "League of Extraordinary Communities" to group Dull, Boring and Bland as a means of encouraging travel, promoting all three communities.

Climate

West Wyalong Anglican Church 001
West Wyalong Anglican Church

Average annual rainfall is 482 millimetres (19.0 in). Average temperature are: maximum 23.3 °C (73.9 °F), minimum 9.5 °C (49.1 °F). The prevailing wind direction is north east in the morning and south west in the afternoon and evening, with predominantly calm conditions.

Topography, flora and fauna, and geology

Topography is generally undulating or flat, with the altitude ranging from 200 to 486 metres (656–1,594 ft).

West Wyalong Main Street 004
The main street of West Wyalong

Main tree species include: kurrajong, cypress pine, mallee, box, ironbark, belah and wilga. Native pasture plants include: wallaby grasses, Queensland blue grass and plains and wire grass. Native fauna include: water fowl, red and grey kangaroos, echidnas, goannas, possums, bats and mallee fowls.

Soil are predominantly clay with some granite soil and red brown earth, mostly neutral in pH.

Council

Current composition and election method

Bland Shire Council is composed of nine councillors elected proportionally as a single ward. All councillors are elected for a fixed four-year term of office. The mayor is elected by the councillors at the first meeting of the council. The most recent election was held on 4 December 2021, and the make-up of the council is as follows:

Party Councillors
  Independents and Unaligned 9
Total 9

The current Council, elected in 2021, in order of election, is:

Councillor Party Notes
  Kerron Keatley Unaligned
  Elizabeth McGlynn Unaligned
  Brian Monaghan Independent Mayor
  Rodney Crowe Unaligned Deputy Mayor
  Roger Moore Independent
  Tony Lord Unaligned
  Jill Funnell Unaligned
  Monica Clark Unaligned
  Bruce Baker Unaligned

2021 election results

Results of the 2021 New South Wales local elections

Demographics

Selected historical census data for Bland Shire local government area
Census year 2011 2016
Population Estimated residents on census night 5,865 Increase 5,995
LGA rank in terms of size within New South Wales &&&&&&&&&&&&0111.&&&&&0111th Increase &&&&&&&&&&&&0109.&&&&&0109th
% of New South Wales population
% of Australian population
Cultural and language diversity
Ancestry,
top responses
English
Australian
Italian
Chinese
Irish
Language,
top responses
(other than English)
Italian
Mandarin
Cantonese
Korean
Greek
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation,
top responses
Catholic
No religion
Anglican
Eastern Orthodox
Buddhism
Median weekly incomes
Personal income Median weekly personal income A$
% of Australian median income
Family income Median weekly family income
% of Australian median income
Household income Median weekly household income
% of Australian median income
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