Balranald Shire is a local government area in the Riverina area of western New South Wales, Australia on the Sturt Highway. It is the location of World Heritage listed Mungo National Park. It includes the towns of Balranald and Euston. Other localities in the Shire include Kyalite, Hatfield, Penarie, Clare and Oxley.

Balranald Shire
New South Wales
location in New South Wales
Coordinates34°37′S 143°34′E / 34.617°S 143.567°E / -34.617; 143.567
Population2,208 (2021 census)[1]
 • Density0.101784/km2 (0.26362/sq mi)
Area21,693 km2 (8,375.7 sq mi)
AdministratorMichael Colreavy
Council seatBalranald
RegionRiverina
State electorate(s)Murray
Federal division(s)Farrer
WebsiteBalranald Shire
LGAs around Balranald Shire:
Wentworth Central Darling Carrathool
Wentworth Balranald Shire Hay
Mildura (Vic) Swan Hill (Vic) Murray River

As of 29 January 2020, the Balranald Shire Council Mayor and elected members were dismissed by NSW local government minister Shelley Hancock, after the recommendations of the report of commissioner Roslyn McCulloch. Mike Colreavy has been appointed the administrator until local council elections in 2024.[2]

Demographics

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Selected historical census data for Balranald Shire local government area
Census year 2011[3] 2016[4]
Population Estimated residents on census night 2,283   2,287
LGA rank in terms of size within New South Wales 127th   126th
% of New South Wales population 0.03%   0.03%
% of Australian population 0.01%   0.01%
Cultural and language diversity
Ancestry,
top responses
Australian 32.3%   31.6%
English 24.9%   25.1%
Irish 8.9%   10.1%
Italian 10.3%   9.0%
Scottish 5.7%   5.9%
Language,
top responses
(other than English)
Italian 4.4%   3.0%
Fijian n/c   0.6%
Mandarin 0.3%   0.5%
Tongan 0.6%   0.4%
Arabic 0.4%   0.4%
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation,
top responses
Catholic 39.3%   35.7%
No religion 13.6%   20.8%
Anglican 16.5%   15.0%
Not stated n/c   12.7%
Presbyterian and Reformed 8.6%   6.9%
Median weekly incomes
Personal income Median weekly personal income A$470 A$624
% of Australian median income 81.5%   94.3%
Family income Median weekly family income A$1126 A$1438
% of Australian median income 76.0%   82.9%
Household income Median weekly household income A$894 A$1174
% of Australian median income 72.4%   81.6%

Council

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Current composition and election method

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The Balranald Shire Council is currently under administration, as of 29 January 2020, after local government minister Shelley Hancock accepted the recommendations of the report created by commissioner Roslyn McCulloch. The next election will be held in September 2024.[2]

Election results

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2024

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2024 New South Wales local elections: Balranald
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Dwaine Scott (elected) 243 23.5
Independent Luigi (Louie) Zaffina (elected) 241 23.3
Independent Tracy O'Halloran (elected) 88 8.5
Independent Philip Pippin (elected) 80 7.7
Independent Alison Linnett (elected) 78 7.5
Independent German Ugarte (elected) 73 7.1
Independent Iain Lindsay Field (elected) 72 7.0
Independent Patricia Winch 38 3.7
Independent Morgan Rasmus 36 3.5
Independent Leigh Byron (elected) 32 3.1
Independent Lynda Moss 24 2.3
Independent Ronald Mengler 22 2.1
Independent Brodie Rayner 7 0.7
Total formal votes 1,034 97.9
Informal votes 22 2.1
Turnout 1056 76.7

2012

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2012 New South Wales local elections: Balranald[5][6][7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Stephen O'Halloran (elected) 419 35.8 −2.6
Independent Leigh Byron (elected) 176 15.0 3.3
Independent Trevor Jolliffe (elected) 129 11.0 11.0
Independent Labor Alan Purtill (elected) 93 7.9 0.2
Independent Lynda Cooke (elected) 83 7.1 7.1
Independent Jeff Mannix (elected) 76 6.5 3.0
Independent Ken Barnes (elected) 80 6.8 2.2
Independent Elaine Campbell (elected) 50 4.3 4.3
Independent John Jackson 27 2.3 2.3
Independent Tina Powis 26 2.2 −3.1
Independent Bill Vaarzon-Morel 12 1.0 1.0
Turnout 79.6
Party total votes
Independent 1,078 92.1
Independent Labor 93 7.9

Localities

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Town Population
Balranald 1,343
Clare
Condoulpe
Euston 839
Hatfield 11
Kyalite 82
Oxley 33
Penarie

Condoulpe (34°46′S 143°32′E / 34.767°S 143.533°E / -34.767; 143.533) is situated about 15 kilometres south of Balranald and 21 kilometres north of Kyalite.[8]

References

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  1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Balranald (A)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 10 November 2022.  
  2. ^ a b Administrator appointed to Balranald Shire Council New South Wales Office of LocalGovernment 29 January 2020
  3. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Balranald (A)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 7 July 2017.  
  4. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Balranald (A)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 7 July 2017.  
  5. ^ "Balranald Shire Council". ABC News. Archived from the original on 28 May 2013.
  6. ^ "Shearers' loss is tourists' gain down on the Murrumbidgee". Sydney Morning Herald. 25 March 2006.
  7. ^ Allison, Charmayne (18 March 2019). "Mayor enters election to fight for rural towns". Riverine Herald.
  8. ^ Travelmate Archived 24 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine
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