Bathurst Regional Council

Bathurst Regional Council is a local government area in the Central West region of New South Wales, Australia. The area is located adjacent to the Great Western Highway, Mid-Western Highway, Mitchell Highway and the Main Western railway line. At the 2016 census, the Bathurst Region had a population of 41,300.[1]

This article is about the local government area. For the regional city, see Bathurst, New South Wales.

Bathurst Regional Council
New South Wales
Location in New South Wales
Bathurst Civic Centre
Coordinates33°25′S 149°34′E
Population
 • Density10.812/km2 (28.00/sq mi)
Established26 May 2004
Area3,820 km2 (1,474.9 sq mi)
MayorRobert Taylor (Unaligned)
Council seatBathurst
RegionCentral West
State electorate(s)Bathurst
Federal division(s)Calare
WebsiteBathurst Regional Council
LGAs around Bathurst Regional Council:
Cabonne Mid-Western Mid-Western
Orange Bathurst Regional Council Lithgow
Blayney Upper Lachlan Oberon

The administrative centre of the area is located in the city of Bathurst, approximately 200 kilometres (120 mi) west of Sydney central business district.

The mayor of Bathurst is Cr. Robert Taylor, Deputy Mayor being Cr. Benjamin Fry, both unaligned politicians.[3]

Bathurst Civic Centre at new year's eve (31/12/2021)

City, towns and localities

In addition to the city of Bathurst, the LGA contains the villages of Eglinton, Freemantle, Perthville, Rockley, Raglan, Georges Plains, Trunkey Creek, Brewongle, Vittoria, Peel, Wattle Flat, Sofala, Hill End, Meadow Flat, Sallys Flat, Caloola and Kelso

Demographics
Selected historical census data for Bathurst Regional local government area
Census year2011[4]2016[1]
PopulationEstimated residents on census night38,519Increase 41,300
LGA rank in terms of size within New South Wales52ndIncrease 51st
% of New South Wales population0.56%Decrease 0.55%
% of Australian population0.18%Steady 0.18%
Estimated ATSI population on census night1,634Increase2,244
% of ATSI population to residents4.20%Increase 5.40%
Cultural and language diversity
Ancestry,
top responses		Australian32.9%Decrease 31.5%
English30.1%Decrease 29.5%
Irish10.9%Increase  11.1%
Scottish7.3%Increase 7.5%
German2.6%Steady 2.6%
Language,
top responses
(other than English)		Mandarin0.2%Increase 0.3%
Arabic0.3%Decrease 0.2%
Cantonese0.2%Steady 0.2%
Punjabin/aIncrease 0.2%
German0.2%Steady 0.2%
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation,
top responses		Catholic34.1%Decrease 31.1%
No religion, so described16.0%Increase 22.4%
Anglican23.2%Decrease 19.1%
Not statedn/aIncrease 11.3%
Presbyterian and Reformed4.6%Decrease 4.2%
Median weekly incomes
Personal incomeMedian weekly personal incomeA$544A$646
% of Australian median income94%Increase 98%
Family incomeMedian weekly family incomeA$1,437A$1,632
% of Australian median income97%Decrease 94%
Household incomeMedian weekly household incomeA$1,142A$1,310
% of Australian median income93%Decrease 91%

Council

Current composition and election method

Bathurst Regional Council is composed of nine councillors elected proportionally as a single ward. All councillors are elected for a fixed three-year term of office. The mayor is elected by the councillors at the first meeting of the council. The most recent election of councillors was held on 4 December 2021, and the makeup of the council is as follows:[5]

PartyCouncillors
  Back Bathurst 2
  Balanced Bathurst 2
  Better Bathurst 1
  Independents 1
  Marg Hogan Team 1
  Team Aubin 1
  Team Hanger 1
Total 9

The current Council, elected in 2021, in order of election, is:[5]

CouncillorPartyNotes
  Ben Fry Balanced Bathurst[6] Deputy Mayor
  Robert 'Stumpy' Taylor Back Bathurst[7] Mayor 2022-date[8]
  Ian North Independent Mayor 2021-2021
  Marg Hogan Marg Hogan Team[9]
  Kirralee Burke Balanced Bathurst[6]
  Graeme Hanger OAM Team Hanger[10] Mayor 2017-2019[11]
  Jess Jennings Better Bathurst[12]
  Andrew (Struthy) Smith Back Bathurst[7]
  Warren Aubin Team Aubin[13]

History
See also: Bathurst, New South Wales § History

Bathurst was proclaimed a city in 1885.[14] The Bathurst Region was created on 26 May 2004 as a result of a merger of Bathurst City and Evans Shire.

A 2015 review of local government boundaries recommended that the Bathurst Region merge with the Oberon Shire to form a new council with an area of 7,443 square kilometres (2,874 sq mi) and support a population of approximately 47,000.[15] The outcome of an independent review was expected to be completed by mid–2016. Bathurst Regional Council was officially notified on 6 March 2017 by the NSW State Government that the proposed merger between Bathurst Regional Council and Oberon Council will not proceed. The letter from the Minister for Local Government Gabrielle Upton advising Council of the decision can be viewed on the Bathurst Regional Council official website.

Sister cities

Bathurst has had a sister city relationship with Ohkuma (Japan) since March 1991.The relationship provides an opportunity for both Bathurst and Ohkuma residents to learn about each other's culture and language. As part of the relationship Council coordinates the Sister City Working Party. This group is made up of different community members who have an interest in Japan and further developing the strong relationship that already exists between Bathurst and Ohkuma. Bathurst has sister city relations with the following city:[16]

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Bathurst Regional (A)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  2. "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.
  3. Therese, Ryan (15 January 2021). "Contact Bathurst Regional Councillors". Bathurst Regional Council. Archived from the original on 17 December 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  4. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Bathurst Regional (A)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  5. "Bathurst Regional - Councillor Election results". NSW Electoral Commission. 21 December 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  6. "The Balanced Bathurst Team".
  7. "Robert Taylor".
  8. "What's in a nickname? How Stumpy became the Mayor of Bathurst". ABC News. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  9. "BRC Elections 2021 interview with Marg Hogan & Gerarda Mader 10-11-21".
  10. "Graeme Hanger's council team features strong working women".
  11. "Graeme Hanger elected the new mayor of Bathurst". Western Advocate. 2 March 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  12. "Platforms or objectives of registered candidates".
  13. "Bathurst Regional Council candidate questionnaire: Warren Aubin".
  14. "Bathurst". Geographical Names Register (GNR) of NSW. Geographical Names Board of New South Wales. Retrieved 23 May 2006.
  15. "Merger proposal: Bathurst Regional Council, Oberon Council" (PDF). Government of New South Wales. January 2016. p. 7. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  16. "Sister Cities". Community. Bathurst Regional Council. Archived from the original on 26 February 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
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