Bellingen Shire

Bellingen Shire
New South Wales

Location in New South Wales
Population: 13,369(2009)[1]
Area: 1602 km² (618.5 sq mi)
Mayor: Mark Troy
Council Seat: Bellingen (Hyde Street}
Region: Mid North Coast
State District: Oxley, Coffs Harbour
Federal Division: Cowper
Website: http://www.bellingen.nsw.gov.au/
LGAs around Bellingen Shire:
Clarence Valley Coffs Harbour Coffs Harbour
Armidale Dumaresq Bellingen Shire Pacific Ocean
Armidale Dumaresq Nambucca Pacific Ocean

Bellingen Shire is a Local Government Area on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia. It is on the Pacific Highway, Waterfall Way and the North Coast railway line.

Contents

Towns and localities

Demographics

In the 2006 Census of Population and Housing there were 12,416 usual residents living in Bellingen Shire. Of this count, 6,050 (or 49%) were males and 6,366 (or 51%) were females.

By age, 20% of the population was under 15 years old, 62% were between 15 and 65, and 18% were over 65 years old.

Most people living in Bellingen Shire were born in Australia (83%). The median age was 44 years.

Council

Bellingen Shire Council is composed of six councillors elected proportionally. The mayor is directly elected.[2] The current makeup of the council, including the mayor, is as follows:[2]

Party Councillors
  Independents and Unaffiliated 6
  The Greens 1
Total 7

The current council, elected in 2008, is:[2]

Councillor Party Notes
  Mark Troy Independent Mayor
  Ian Coe Unaffiliated
  Gordon Braithwaite Independent
  Bruce Cronin Unaffiliated
  Kerry Child Independent
  Sean Tuohy Greens
  David Scott Independent Elected on Mark Troy's ticket

Economy

According to the 2006 Census of Population and Housing, the median invididual income was $336 per week (equal to approximately $17,520 per year). The median family income in 2006 was $777 per week (equal to approximately $40,515 per year); and, the median household income in 2006 was $622 per week (equal to approximately $32,433 per year).

There were 4,502 people employed in 2006 (to give an employment to working age population ratio of 0.59), and 526 people unemployed. The most common occupations were Professionals (20%); Managers (16%); and, Technicians and Trades Workers (15%). The top 5 industries for employment were School Education (7.2%); Sheep, Beef Cattle and Grain Farming (4.0%); Hospitals (4.0%); Cafes, Restaurants and Takeaway Food Services (3.7%); and, Supermarket and Grocery Stores (2.6%).

Housing

In the 2006 Census of Population and Housing, the median housing loan repayment was $1,015 per month. This equated to marginally under 41% of median household income.

The median rent in 2006 was $165 per week. This equated to just under 27% of median household income.

The average household size was 2.4 persons.

References

  1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (30 March 2010). "Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2008–09". http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/3218.0Main%20Features42008-09?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=3218.0&issue=2008-09&num=&view=. Retrieved 3 June 2010. 
  2. ^ a b c "Bathurst Regional Council". 2008 Election results. Electoral Commission NSW. http://www.lg.elections.nsw.gov.au/LGE2008/result.Bathurst.html. Retrieved 2009-06-16.