Murray Shire

This article is about the local government area in New South Wales. For the Western Australia local government area, see Shire of Murray.
Murray Shire
New South Wales

Location in New South Wales
Coordinates 35°49′S 144°54′E / 35.817°S 144.900°ECoordinates: 35°49′S 144°54′E / 35.817°S 144.900°E
Population 7,312 (2012)[1]
 • Density 1.5/km2 (3.9/sq mi)
Established 1906
Area 4,345 km2 (1,677.6 sq mi)
Mayor Cr. Thomas Weyrich (Independent)[2]
Council seat Mathoura
Region Riverina
State electorate(s) Murray
Federal Division(s) Farrer
Website Murray Shire
LGAs around Murray Shire:
Conargo Deniliquin Conargo
Wakool Murray Shire Berrigan
Campaspe (Vic) Campaspe (Vic) Moira (Vic)

Murray Shire is a local government area in the Riverina region of south western New South Wales, Australia. It includes the towns of Moama and Mathoura.

The Mayor of Murray Shire is Cr. Thomas Weyrich, an independent politician.[2]

History

The Murray Shire region was developed in the 1840s by squatters following the route of the overlanders as they drove cattle from Sydney to Adelaide in the late 1830s. From the 1860s onwards, the selectors, mainly from Victoria, moved onto the squatter's land, their interest agriculture. The settlements of Moama and Mathoura survived over the years as centres for the movement of agriculture produce and the growth of the timber industry. The area covered by the Shire of Murray today is unique. The Cadell Fault, which changed the course of the Murray River about 30,000 years ago traverses the area from north to south. The Murray River system supports one of the largest River Red Gum forests in the world.

Council

Shire office at Mathoura.

Current composition and election method

Murray 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 8 September 2012 and the makeup of the Council is as follows:[3]

PartyCouncillors
  Independents and Unaligned 9
Total 9

The current Council, elected in 2012, in order of election, is:[3]

CouncillorPartyNotes
  Thomas Weyrich Independent Mayor[2]
  Bill Anderson Unaligned
  Brian Sharp OAM Independent
  Betty Murphy Independent
  Ian Moon Independent
  Gavin Burke Independent
  Gen Campbell Independent
  John Pocklington Unaligned Deputy Mayor[2]
  Sue Mulcahy Independent

References

  1. "3218.0 - Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2012". Australian Bureau of Statistics. 30 August 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2014. Estimated resident population (ERP) at 30 June 2012.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Councillors". Council. Murray Shire Council. September 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Murray Shire Council: Summary of First Preference and Group Votes for each Candidate". Local Government Elections 2012. Electoral Commission of New South Wales. 13 September 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2012.