Bland Shire Explained

Type:lga
Bland Shire
State:nsw
Region:New South Wales Riverina
Area:8560
Seat:West Wyalong[1]
Coordinates:-33.9333°N 162°W
Pop:5995
Pop2:5,985
Pop2 Year:2018 est.
Pop2 Footnotes:[2]
Logo Upright:1.25
Url:http://www.blandshire.nsw.gov.au
Mayor:Brian Monaghan (Independent)
Fedgov:Riverina
Fedgov2:Parkes
Stategov:Cootamundra

Bland Shire is a local government area in the Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia. it covers an area of . As at the 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.[3]

The shire was named in honour of William Bland.[4]

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[5] to create a "League of Extraordinary Communities" to group Dull, Boring and Bland[6] [7] as a means of encouraging travel,[6] promoting all three communities.[8] [9]

Climate

Average annual rainfall is . Average temperature are: maximum, minimum . 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 200mto(-)486mm (700feetto(-)1,594feetm).

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:[10]

PartyCouncillors
 Independentsalign=right 8
 Independent Laboralign=right 1
Totalalign=right 9

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

CouncillorPartyNotes
 Kerron KeatleyUnaligned
 Elizabeth McGlynnUnaligned
 Brian MonaghanIndependentMayor[11]
 Rodney CroweUnalignedDeputy Mayor
 Roger MooreIndependent
 Tony LordIndependent Labor
 Jill FunnellUnaligned
 Monica ClarkUnaligned
 Bruce BakerUnaligned

Election results

2021

Demographics

Selected historical census data for Bland Shire local government area
Census year 2011 2016
Population  
 
% 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
% of Australian median income
Family income Median weekly family income
% of Australian median income
Household income Median weekly household income
% of Australian median income

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bland Shire Council. Division of Local Government. 1 December 2006.
  2. Web site: 3218.0 – Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2017-18. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 27 March 2019. 27 March 2019. Estimated resident population (ERP) at 30 June 2018.
  3. News: Dull and Boring story also to become Bland?. Highland Perthshire News. 12 July 2014. 9 August 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140810035909/http://www.highlandperthshirenews.co.uk/general-civic-activities/dull-and-boring-story-also-to-become-bland. 10 August 2014.
  4. Web site: West Wyalong. 20 March 2009. Scascighini. Jonh. West Wyalong Town Crier. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090106052007/http://www.westwyalongtowncrier.com/westwyalong.htm. 6 January 2009.
  5. News: Bland hopes to join Dull and Boring – Perth & Kinross. https://web.archive.org/web/20140810024043/http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/perth-kinross/bland-hopes-to-join-dull-and-boring-1.98554 . dead. 10 August 2014. The Courier. UK. 1 June 2014. 9 August 2014.
  6. News: Bland joins Dull and Boring. The Daily Advertiser. 25 February 2014. 9 August 2014.
  7. News: Scots town Dull joins forces with Bland and Boring. The Scotsman. 13 November 2013. 9 August 2014.
  8. News: Bland, Dull and Boring: Three towns team up to excite tourists. https://web.archive.org/web/20131116182044/http://news.msn.com/pop-culture/bland-dull-and-boring-three-towns-team-up-to-excite-tourists. 2013-11-16. MSN. 2014-08-09.
  9. News: Baskas. Harriet. Dull, Boring and Bland Team Up to Lure Tourists. NBC News. 25 April 2014. 9 August 2014.
  10. Web site: 21 December 2021 . Bland – Councillor Election results . 18 March 2022 . NSW Electoral Commission.
  11. Web site: Councillors . 2022-03-18 . blandshire.nsw.gov.au.