Bland Shire is a local government area in the Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia. it covers an area of 8560 km2. As at the the population was 5,995. It is a member of the League of Extraordinary Communities which was established by Dull, Perth and Kinross, Scotland, UK and Boring, Oregon, US. The major economic activities of the shire are agriculture, mining, transport, tourism and wholesale distribution.

History

The farm community of Bland Shire was a former gold prospecting site in the Riverina region, centred on West Wyalong. The shire was named in honour of William Bland.

Location and settlements

Bland Shire is located on the boundary between the central west and Riverina regions. The area is adjacent to the Newell and Mid-Western highways. The largest town and council seat is West Wyalong. The region also includes the towns of Wyalong, Barmedman, Tallimba, Ungarie, Weethalle and Mirrool. The major economic activities of the shire are agriculture, mining, transport, tourism and wholesale distribution.

Twin towns

In 2013, the community joined Dull in Perthshire, Scotland and Boring in Oregon, US to create a "League of Extraordinary Communities" to group Dull, Boring and Bland as a means of encouraging travel, promoting all three communities. This grouping is not officially a "twin towns" relationship, as Bland is a shire, Dull is a village, and Boring is a town, and all three have very different population sizes.

Climate

Average annual rainfall is 482 mm. Average temperature are: maximum 23.3 °C, minimum 9.5 °C. The prevailing wind direction is north east in the morning and south west in the afternoon and evening, with predominantly calm conditions.

Topography, flora and fauna, and geology

Topography is generally undulating or flat, with the altitude ranging from 200 to(-). Main tree species include: kurrajong, cypress pine, mallee, box, ironbark, belah and wilga. Native pasture plants include: wallaby grasses, Queensland blue grass and plains and wire grass. 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.

Council

Current composition and election method

Bland 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 4 December 2021, and the make-up of the council is as follows: The current Council, elected in 2021, in order of election, is:

Election results

2024

2021

Demographics