Bland Shire

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, USA.

Bland Shire
New South Wales
Location in New South Wales
Coordinates33°56′S 147°15′E
Population
 • Density0.7004/km2 (1.8139/sq mi)
Area8,560 km2 (3,305.0 sq mi)
MayorBrian Monaghan (Independent)
Council seatWest Wyalong[3]
RegionNew South Wales Riverina
State electorate(s)Cootamundra
Federal division(s)
WebsiteBland Shire
LGAs around Bland Shire:
Carrathool Lachlan Forbes
Carrathool Bland Shire Weddin
Griffith Narrandera Temora

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.[4]

The shire was named in honour of William Bland.[5]

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, USA[6] to create a "League of Extraordinary Communities" to group Dull, Boring and Bland[7][8] as a means of encouraging travel,[7] promoting all three communities.[9][10]

Climate
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).

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:[11]

PartyCouncillors
  Independents and Unaligned 9
Total 9

The current Council, elected in 2021, in order of election, is:[11]

CouncillorPartyNotes
  Kerron Keatley Unaligned
  Elizabeth McGlynn Unaligned
  Brian Monaghan Independent Mayor[12]
  Rodney Crowe Unaligned Deputy Mayor[12]
  Roger Moore Independent
  Tony Lord Unaligned
  Jill Funnell Unaligned
  Monica Clark Unaligned
  Bruce Baker Unaligned

Demographics
Selected historical census data for Bland Shire local government area
Census year2011[13]2016[1]
PopulationEstimated residents on census night5,865Increase 5,995
LGA rank in terms of size within New South Wales111thIncrease 109th
% 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 incomeMedian weekly personal incomeA$
% of Australian median income
Family incomeMedian weekly family income
% of Australian median income
Household incomeMedian weekly household income
% of Australian median income

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Bland (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. "Bland Shire Council". Division of Local Government. Retrieved 1 December 2006.
  4. "Dull and Boring story also to become Bland?". Highland Perthshire News. 12 July 2014. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  5. Scascighini, Jonh. "West Wyalong". West Wyalong Town Crier. Archived from the original on 6 January 2009. Retrieved 20 March 2009.
  6. "Bland hopes to join Dull and Boring - Perth & Kinross". The Courier. UK. 1 June 2014. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  7. "Bland joins Dull and Boring". The Daily Advertiser. 25 February 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  8. "Scots town Dull joins forces with Bland and Boring". The Scotsman. 13 November 2013. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  9. "Bland, Dull and Boring: Three towns team up to excite tourists". MSN. Archived from the original on 16 November 2013. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  10. Baskas, Harriet (25 April 2014). "Dull, Boring and Bland Team Up to Lure Tourists". NBC News. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  11. "Bland - Councillor Election results". NSW Electoral Commission. 21 December 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  12. "Councillors". www.blandshire.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  13. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Bland (A)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 7 July 2017.

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