Ballina Shire New South Wales
Location in NSW
Population:	40,000[1]
Established:	1976
Area:	484 km² (186.9 sq mi)
Mayor:	Phillip Silver[2]
Council Seat:	Ballina (cnr Tamar And Cherry Streets}
Region:	Northern Rivers
State District:	Ballina
Federal Division:	Page
Website: http://www.ballina.nsw.gov.au
LGAs around Ballina Shire: Lismore Byron Pacific Ocean Lismore Ballina Shire Pacific Ocean Richmond Valley Richmond Valley Pacific Ocean

Ballina Shire is a Local Government Area on the North Coast, New South Wales, Australia. The shire was formed by the amalgamation of Ballina Municipal Council and Tintenbar Shire Council in 1976. It is on the Pacific Ocean and the Pacific Highway. The Council seat is the town of Ballina.

Contents 1 Economy 2 Demographics 3 Geography 4 Council 5 Housing 6 References 7 External links

[edit] Economy

According to the 2006 Census of Population and Housing, the median individual income was $397 per week (equal to approximately $20,701 per year). The median family income in 2006 was $1,017 per week (equal to approximately $53,029 per year); and, the median household income in 2006 was $779 per week (equal to approximately $40,619 per year).

There were 16,215 people employed in 2006 (to give an employment to working age population ratio of 0.68), and 1,270 people unemployed. The most common occupations were Professionals (19%); Technicians and Trades Workers (15%); and, Managers (14%). The top 5 industries for employment were School Education (6.6%); Cafes, Restaurants and Takeaway Food Services (4.3%); Hospitals (3.4%); Supermarket and Grocery Stores (3.1%); and, Residential Care Services (2.7%).

The Shire Council owns and operates Ballina Airport.

[edit] Demographics

In the 2006 Census of Population and Housing, there were 38,461 usual residents living in Ballina Shire Council. Of this count, 18,463 (or 49%) were males and 19,998 (or 52%) were females.

By age, 19% of the population was under 15 years old, 62% were between 15 and 65, and 20% were over 65 years old.

Most people living in Ballina Shire Council were born in Australia (85%). The median age was 43 years.

[edit] Geography

Suburbs and localities of Ballina include Teven, Tintenbar, Ballina, Lennox Head, Empire Vale, Wollongbar, Alstonville, Alstonvale, Pimlico, Cabbage Tree Island, Uralba, Newrybar, Brooklet, Skennars Head, East Ballina, West Ballina, North Ballina, South Ballina, Cumbalum, Wardell, East Wardell, Bagotville, Coolgardie, Fernleigh, Keith Hall, Knockrow, Lynwood, Meerschaum Vale, Patchs Beach, Rous, Rous Mill, Tuckombil, Dalwood, Mcleans Ridges.

[edit] Council

Ballina Shire Council is composed of nine councillors (in addition to the mayor) elected proportionally; the shire is divided into three wards electing three councillors each. The mayor directly elected.^[3] The current makeup of the council, including the mayor, is as follows:^[3]

Party		Councillors
	Independents	9
	The Greens	1
	Total	10

The current council, elected in 2008, is:^[3]

Ward	Councillor		Party
Mayor		Phillip Silver	Independent
A Ward		Sue Meehan	Independent
		Alan Brown	Independent
		Robyn Hordern	Independent
B Ward		Sharon Cadwallader	Independent
		Jeff Johnson	Greens
		Peter Moore	Independent
C Ward		David Wright	Independent
		Keith Johnson	Independent
		Ben Smith	Independent

[edit] Housing

In the 2006 Census of Population and Housing, the median housing loan repayment was $1,290 per month. This equated to marginally under 41% of median household income.

The median rent in 2006 was $210 per week. This equated to just under 27% of median household income.

The average household size was 2.4 persons.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Ballina Shire Council

Coordinates: 28°50′S 153°32′E / 28.833°S 153.533°E / -28.833; 153.533

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