City of Greater Taree

Greater Taree New South Wales
Location in New South Wales
Population:	48,503(2009)[1]
• Density:	12.10/km² (31.3/sq mi)
Area:	3730 km² (1,440.2 sq mi)
Mayor:	Paul Hogan[2]
Council Seat:	Taree (Breese Parade}
Region:	Mid North Coast
State District:	Myall Lakes, Port Macquarie, Oxley
Federal Division:	Lyne
Website: http://www.gtcc.nsw.gov.au
LGAs around Greater Taree: Walcha Port Macquarie-Hastings Pacific Ocean Gloucester Greater Taree Pacific Ocean Gloucester Great Lakes Pacific Ocean

The City of Greater Taree is a Local Government Area on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia, centered on Taree. It is on the Manning River, the Pacific Highway and the North Coast railway line.

History

The first movement to establish a City of Greater Taree began in November 1959. The Taree Municipal Council applied to the Department of Local Government to extend its boundaries to the coastal area between Old Bar and Seal Rocks.^[3]

At an inquiry of the Boundaries Commission at Taree in 1976, the Dungog Shire proposed that the areas covered by the shires of Dungog, Gloucester, Great Lakes and Manning and the municipalities of Taree and Wingham be combined into two areas "to elevate local government to its proper role". At this stage, Taree Municipal Council proposed only their merger with the Municipality of Wingham. A decision was postponed for 5 years.^[3]

On 1 January 1981, the City of Greater Taree was proclaimed, encompassing the Municipalities of Taree and Wingham and the Manning Valley Shire.^{[3] [4]}

Towns and localities

• Taree

• Bobin
• Bohnock
• Brinawa
• Cedar Party
• Coopernook
• Coralville
• Croki
• Crowdy Head
• Cundletown
• Dumaresq Island
• Dyers Crossing
• Elands
• Ghinni Ghinni
• Glenwarrin
• Hallidays Point
• Hannam Vale
• Harrington
• Johns River
• Jones Island
• Kippax
• Kolodong
• Koorainghat
• Krambach
• Langley Vale
• Lansdowne
• Manning Point
• Marlee
• Mitchells Island
• Mooral Creek
• Moorland
• Nabiac
• Old Bar
• Oxley Island
• Pampoolah
• Possum Brush
• Rawson River
• Rocks Crossing
• Stewarts River
• Tinonee
• Waitui
• Wallabi Point
• Wherrol Flat
• Wingham

Demographics

In the 2006 Census of Population and Housing there were 45,145 usual residents living in the City of Greater Taree. Of this count, 22,077 (or 49%) were males and 23,068 (or 51%) were females.

By age, 20% of the population was under 15 years old, 61% were between 15 and 65, and 19% were over 65 years old.

Most people living in Greater Taree were born in Australia (93%). The median age was 43 years.

Economy

According to the 2006 Census of Population and Housing, the median invididual income was $336 per week (equal to approximately $17,520 per year). The median family income in 2006 was $798 per week (equal to approximately $41,610 per year); and, the median household income in 2006 was $635 per week (equal to approximately $33,111 per year).

There were 15,977 people employed in 2006 (to give an employment to working age population ratio of 0.58), and 1,884 people unemployed. The most common occupations were Technicians and Trades Workers (16%); Labourers (15%); and, Professionals (15%). The top 5 industries for employment were School Education (5.9%); Hospitals (5.3%); Cafes, Restaurants and Takeaway Food Services (3.4%); Supermarket and Grocery Stores (3.0%); and, Residential Care Services (2.9%).

Housing

In the 2006 Census of Population and Housing, the median housing loan repayment was $1,083 per month. This equated to marginally under 43% of median household income.

The median rent in 2006 was $150 per week. This equated to just under 24% of median household income.

The average household size was 2.4 persons.

Council

Greater Taree City Council is composed of eight councillors elected proportionally, in addition to the mayor, who is directly elected.^[5] The current makeup of the council, including the mayor, is as follows:^[5]

Party		Councillors
	Independents and Unaffiliated	9
	Total	9

The current council, elected in 2008, is:^[5]

Councillor		Party	Notes
	Paul Hogan	Independent	Mayor
	Mal Marks	Independent	Deputy Mayor
	Eddie Loftus	Unaffiliated
	Trent Jennison	Independent	Elected on Paul Hogan's ticket
	David West	Independent
	Mave Richardson	Independent
	Kathryn Bell	Independent	Elected on Mal Marks's ticket
	David Keegan	Independent
	Alan Tickle	Independent

References

1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (30 March 2010). "Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2008–09". http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/3218.0Main%20Features42008-09?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=3218.0&issue=2008-09&num=&view=. Retrieved 3 June 2010. 
2. ^ "Greater Taree City Council". Department of Local Government. http://www.dlg.nsw.gov.au/dlg/dlghome/dlg_CouncilContactDetails.asp?slacode=3350. Retrieved 2009-05-16. 
3. ^ ^{a b c} Ramsland, John (1987). The Struggle Against Isolation - A History of the Manning Valley. North Sydney, New South Wales: Library of Australian History. pp. 300–301. ISBN 0-908120-67-2. 
4. ^ "Taree". The Age website. The Age Company Ltd.. 2007-08-16. http://www.theage.com.au/news/new-south-wales/taree/2005/02/17/1108500199414.html. Retrieved 2008-10-07. 
5. ^ ^{a b c} "Greater Taree City Council". 2008 Election results. Electoral Commission NSW. http://www.lg.elections.nsw.gov.au/LGE2008/result.Greater_Taree.html. Retrieved 2009-06-17. ^{[dead link]}

Coordinates: 31°54′S 152°27′E / 31.9°S 152.45°E / -31.9; 152.45