Balranald Shire is a

local government area A local government area (LGA) is an administrative division of a country that a local government is responsible for. The size of an LGA varies by country but it is generally a subdivision of a State (administrative division), state, province, divi ...

in the

Riverina The Riverina is an agricultural region of south-western New South Wales, Australia. The Riverina is distinguished from other Australian regions by the combination of flat plains, warm to hot climate and an ample supply of water for irrigation ...

area of western

New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

on the

Sturt Highway Sturt Highway is an Australian national highway in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. It is an important road link for the transport of passengers and freight between Sydney and Adelaide and the regions situated adjacent to the r ...

. It is the location of

World Heritage A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...

listed

Mungo National Park Mungo National Park is a protected national park that is located in south-western New South Wales, in eastern Australia. The national park is situated approximately west of Sydney in the Balranald Shire. Mungo National Park is the tradition ...

. It includes the towns of

Balranald Balranald is a town within the local government area of Balranald Shire, in the Riverina district of New South Wales, Australia. The town of Balranald is located where the Sturt Highway crosses the Murrumbidgee River in a remote, semi-desert ...

and Euston. Other localities in the Shire include

Kyalite Kyalite is a locality on the Wakool River in the Riverina district of the Australian state of New South Wales. It is part of Balranald Shire and is approximately south west of the state capital Sydney and north west of Melbourne. Kyalite was f ...

, Hatfield, Penarie,

Clare Clare may refer to: Places Antarctica * Clare Range, a mountain range in Victoria Land Australia * Clare, South Australia, a town in the Clare Valley * Clare Valley, South Australia Canada * Clare (electoral district), an electoral district * Cl ...

and

Oxley Oxley may refer to: Places Australia Australian Capital Territory * Oxley, Australian Capital Territory is a suburb of Canberra, Australia Queensland *Oxley, Queensland is a suburb of Brisbane, Australia **Oxley railway station, Brisbane ...

. As of 29 January 2020, the Balranald Shire Council Mayor and elected members were dismissed by NSW local government minister

Shelley Hancock Shelley Elizabeth Hancock (born 14 November 1951), an Australian politician. Hancock has been a Liberal Member of the Legislative Assembly seat of South Coast since 2003. Hancock previously served as the thirtieth Speaker of the New South Wal ...

, after the recommendations of the report of commissioner

Roslyn McCulloch Roslyn may refer to: People * Louis Frederick Roslyn (1878–1940), British sculptor * Roslyn Atkins (born 1974), British journalist and broadcaster for the BBC Places * Roslyn, Palmerston North, a suburb of the city of Palmerston North, North I ...

Mike Colreavy Mike may refer to: Animals * Mike (cat), cat and guardian of the British Museum * Mike the Headless Chicken, chicken that lived for 18 months after his head had been cut off * Mike (chimpanzee), a chimpanzee featured in several books and documenta ...

has been appointed the administrator until local council elections in 2024.Administrator appointed to Balranald Shire Council
New South Wales Office of LocalGovernment 29 January 2020

Demographics

Council

Current composition and election method

The Balranald Shire Council is currently under administration, as of 29 January 2020. NSW local government minister

accepted the recommendations of the report created by commissioner

. Local Government Minister

accepted the recommendation from the independent commissioner of the public inquiry to dismiss the council's mayor and councillors and appoint an administrator to address financial and structural issues. The report, which has been tabled in Parliament, found: • The council has failed to command the confidence of its community • Councillors have failed to appreciate the need for sound and consistent financial principles, with division among councillors affecting decision making; • An absence of understanding by councillors of the importance of transparency in decision making, including inappropriate closure of council meetings; • The council has failed to act as a responsible employer, particularly regarding the interaction between councillors and council staff, resulting in the loss of valuable personnel; and • The council has failed to comply with its obligations as Reserve Trust Manager under the Crown Lands Act in relation to Balranald Caravan Park. "I have not taken the decision to dismiss the council lightly", Mrs Hancock said. "The ratepayers of Balranald Shire deserve a strong council that is representing the best interests of the community. "I have accepted the recommendation by Commissioner Roslyn McCulloch to dismiss the elected representatives and appoint an administrator to perform the role of the mayor and councillors until 2024. "This course of action will provide the best possible way to strengthen the operation, performance and sustainability of the council and ensure it is serving the best interests of the local community". Mike Colreavy has been appointed administrator of Balranald Shire Council. Mr Colreavy has 37 years' experience in the local government sector at metropolitan, regional and rural councils including holding various general manager positions.

Localities

References

External links

* Local government areas of the Riverina {{Riverina-geo-stub