Bland Shire New South Wales |
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Location in New South Wales |
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Population: | 6,407(2009)[1] | ||||||||||||
Area: | 8560 km² (3,305.0 sq mi) | ||||||||||||
Mayor: | Tony Lord | ||||||||||||
Council Seat: | West Wyalong[2] | ||||||||||||
Region: | Central West | ||||||||||||
State District: | Murrumbidgee | ||||||||||||
Federal Division: | Riverina, Parkes | ||||||||||||
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Bland Shire is a Local Government Area (LGA) in the Central West of New South Wales on the Newell and Mid-Western Highways.
The council's name honours William Bland.[3]
The largest town and council seat is West Wyalong. The region also includes the towns of Wyalong, Barmedman, Tallimba, Ungarie, Weethalle and Mirrool. The Shire's major economic activities are agriculture, mining, transport, tourism and wholesale distribution.
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). Prevailing wind direction is: AM: north east; PM: south west, with predominantly calm conditions. Topography is generally undulating or flat, with the altitude ranging from 200 to 486 metres (660–1,594 ft). Main tree species include: kurrajong, cypress pine, mallee, box, ironbark, belah and wilga. 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. Native pasture plants include: wallaby grasses, Queensland blue grass and plains and wire grass.
Bland Shire Council is composed of nine councillors elected proportionally. The mayor is not directly elected.[4] The current makeup of the council is as follows:[4]
Party | Councillors | |
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Unaffiliated | 9 | |
Total | 9 |
The current council, elected in 2011, is:[4]
Councillor | Party | Notes | |
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Howard Mangelsdorf | Unaffiliated | ||
Liz McGlynn | Unaffiliated | ||
Tony Lord | Unaffiliated | ||
Barry Cooper | Unaffiliated | ||
Neil Pokoney | Unaffiliated | Mayor | |
Peter Grellman | Unaffiliated | ||
Dot Smith | Unaffiliated | Deputy Mayor | |
Kerry Keatley | Unaffiliated | ||
Andrew Buttenshaw | Unaffiliated |