Walcha Shire
Walcha Shire is a local government area located in the New England region of New South Wales, Australia. The Shire is situated adjacent to the junction of the Oxley Highway and Thunderbolts Way and is east of the Main [North railway line, New South Wales|Main North railway line] passing through Walcha Road. The shire was formed on 1 June 1955 through the amalgamation of Apsley Shire and the Municipality of Walcha.
The mayor of Walcha Shire Council is Cr. James Fermanis an unaligned politician.
Main towns and villages
The towns and villages of Walcha Council include Walcha, Walcha Road, Niangala, Nowendoc and Woolbrook. Settlements include: Brackendale, Yarrowitch, Tia and Bendemeer.Demographics
Incomes
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics during 2003–04, there:- were 927 wage and salary earners
- was a total income of $27,787,248
- was an estimated average income per wage and salary earner of $29,975
- was an estimated median income per wage and salary earner of $27,590.
Heritage listings
There are heritage listings in Walcha, Walcha Road, and in Woolbrook.The heritage-listed sites in Walcha are:
- Ohio Homestead
- South Street: St Andrew's [Anglican Church, Walcha|St Andrew's Anglican Church]
- Thee Street: St Andrew's Anglican Rectory
- Main Northern railway: Walcha Road railway station
- Woolbrook [rail bridge over Macdonald River]
Council
Current composition and election method
Walcha Shire Council is composed of eight councillors elected proportionally to a single ward. All councillors are elected for a fixed four-year term of office. The mayor is by the councillors at the first meeting of the council.At the 2012 local government elections, a referendum to abolish the four wards and elect councillors as one entire ward was defeated, with 56.1% voting against the resolution.
History
The Shire of Apsley, its predecessor, was constituted by proclamation on 7 March 1906 and is located in the Vernon, Hawes, and Inglis counties, and comprises about 60 parishes. The area is. The Shire of Walcha was constituted by the union of the Municipality of Walcha and the Shire of Apsley on 1 June 1955.On 28 and 29 November 2008, torrential rain that caused severe flooding in the Apsley River and Macdonald River led to the area being declared a natural disaster area. Walcha Council estimated that it will cost approximately $1.7 million to repair damage caused to roads and infrastructure across the shire.