Central Darling Shire

Central Darling Shire
New South Wales

Location in New South Wales
Coordinates 31°34′S 143°22′E / 31.567°S 143.367°E / -31.567; 143.367Coordinates: 31°34′S 143°22′E / 31.567°S 143.367°E / -31.567; 143.367
Population 1,991 (2011)[1]
 • Density 0.04/km2 (0.10/sq mi)
Area 53,511 km2 (20,660.7 sq mi)
Mayor Raymond Longfellow (Unaligned)
Council seat Wilcannia
Region Far West
State electorate(s) Barwon
Federal Division(s) Farrer
Website Central Darling Shire
LGAs around Central Darling Shire:
Unincorporated Far West Unincorporated Far West Bourke
Unincorporated Far West Central Darling Shire Cobar
Wentworth Balranald Carrathool

Central Darling Shire is a local government area in the Far West region of New South Wales, Australia. The Shire is located adjacent to the Barrier Highway. Central Darling Shire was constituted in 1959 and at 53,511 square kilometres (20,661 sq mi), it is the largest local government area in New South Wales.

The Mayor of Central Darling Shire Council is Cr. Ray Longfellow, who is unaligned with any political party.

Main towns/villages

The Shire includes the towns of Ivanhoe, Menindee, Wilcannia and White Cliffs.

Incomes

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics during 2003-04 there:[2]

Council

Current composition and election method

Central Darling Shire Council is composed of nine Councillors elected proportionally as three separate wards, each electing three Councillors. 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 8 September 2012, and the makeup of the Council is as follows:[3][4][5]

PartyCouncillors
  Independents and Unaligned 9
Total 9

The current Council, elected in 2012, in order of election by ward, is:

WardCouncillorPartyNotes
A Ward[3]   Honor Liversidge Independent
  Eamon Sammon Unaligned
  Peter Sullivan Unaligned Deputy Mayor
B Ward[4]   Dennis Standley Independent
  Clive Linnett OAM AFSM Unaligned
  Ray Longfellow Unaligned Mayor
C Ward[5]   Lorraine Looney Unaligned
  Garry Astill Unaligned
  Ron Page Unaligned

Economic activity

The principle economic activities within the Shire include pastoral, horticultural, agricultural, mining and tourism. Rural grazing properties represent the largest land use within the Shire, accounting for 97% of the entire area. Major horticultural and agricultural production is centred on Menindee. The relative ease of access to water from the Darling River and Menindee Lakes Storage Scheme enables producers to grow a large variety of crops and fruits.

Opal mining has been the predominant mining industry within the Shire. Opal was discovered in White Cliffs in 1884 and the first commercial opal field commenced operation in 1890, reaching its peak in 1899.[6]

References

  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Central Darling (A)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 23 October 2012.
  2. "Regional Wage and Salary Earner Statistics, Australia (catalogue no.: 5673.055.003)". Australian Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 11 March 2007.
  3. 1 2 "Central Darling Shire Council - A Ward: Summary of First Preference Votes for each Candidate". Local Government Elections 2012. Electoral Commission of New South Wales. 15 September 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2012.
  4. 1 2 "Central Darling Shire Council - B Ward: Summary of First Preference Votes for each Candidate". Local Government Elections 2012. Electoral Commission of New South Wales. 15 September 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2012.
  5. 1 2 "Central Darling Shire Council - C Ward: Summary of First Preference Votes for each Candidate". Local Government Elections 2012. Electoral Commission of New South Wales. 15 September 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2012.
  6. "White Cliffs Opal Field". Central Darling Shire Council. Retrieved 23 October 2012.
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