Moree Plains Shire Council

Shire’s Geography and History

The Shire of Moree Plains is the most productive shire in Australia. It is located in the fertile Gwydir Valley and Barwon/McIntyre River Valley, in north west NSW. It is a progressive dynamic community, boasting strong agricultural industries in cotton, grain and oil seeds. The Mediterranean style climate, is highly adaptable to alternative farming enterprises, including olive plantations and one of the largest pecan nut orchards in the world. There are extensive manufacturing and support industries, well-developed art, cultural, educational, sport, recreational and social opportunities.

The major town, Moree was known to Aboriginal people as “the place of water holes and springs” - which is reflective of the large water course area and hot artesian springs. Nowadays, Moree is located at the junction of Gwydir and Newell Highways and is serviced daily by air, rail and road transport.

A crucial discovery for the development of the area was artesian water. The famous Moree Bore Baths (now the Moree Hot Artesian Pool Complex) originate back to1895 when the first bore was sunk at a depth of 851 metres. Since the discovery of artesian water people from all over the world have enjoyed the healing qualities of the hot mineral rich springs which flow from the ground at a natural heat of 41 degrees celsius. Moree boasts a public facility (owned and managed by Council), and several privately run facilities with hotel and caravan accommodation options.

Mungindi, meaning ‘place for digging for water’ in the local Gamilaraay Aboriginal language.   Mungindi is unique that it straddles the New South Wales/Queensland border, where “the wiggly bit goes straight” and is divided by a bridge, resulting in two police stations - one either side of the bridge in their respective states. As NSW utilises daylight savings and Queensland does not, this creates the unusual situation, during this time it is the only town in Australia that is located within two (2) different time zones during the summer. Cameron’s (of Cameron's Corner fame) one ton survey post is also situated on the outskirts of town.

Boggabilla, a Kamilaroi term meaning ‘”place of many creeks” is nestled in the middle of a very rich agricultural area. On the edge of what is known as the golden triangle. It is situated just on the New South Wales side of the New South Wales/Queensland border. Boggabilla is known for its great fishing spots with the opportunity of catching yellow belly, cod and cat fish.   The Wobbly Boot Hotel attained some notoriety when it became the title and theme of a popular country song by Stan Coster. A permanent body of water situated in the McIntyre river, west of Boggabilla, Boobera Lagoon, is a nationally significant Aboriginal heritage site.   It is has been a popular swimming and picnicking. Boobera Lagoon is believed to be the resting place of the rainbow serpent "Garryia" and is second to Uluru in significance to the aboriginal people.

Aboriginal Heritage

The Indigenous people of the area belong to the second largest aboriginal nation on the eastern coast of Australia, known as the Kamilarai/Gamilaroi people “Murri’s”, whose language is known as Gamilaraay. Many of the towns within the Shire are reflective of this language. The current Indigenous population is approximately19.4% of the Shire. The majority of the Aboriginal people live in Moree, Mungindi, Toomelah and Boggabilla.

History

Major Thomas Mitchell arrived in the vicinity of Mungie Bundie having set out in November 1831 from the Hunter to investigate a runaway convict, George Clarke’s story of the Kindur, a great river, which flowed northwest to the sea. He reached the Barwon River, near Mungindi, interestingly a plaque has been erected at Moree’s Tourist Information Centre outlining Mitchell’s expedition through the Shire. Moree began as a pastoral property run and owned by James Cox in 1849.

James Brand opened the first store in Moree in 1852, which he and wife Mary operated until 1857 when it was sold to Donald Munro. In 1853 a Post Office was added to the store. The first land sales were held in June 1868 and a small school was established in July 1872 with 53 students. A Branch of the Bank of New South Wales was opened in Frome Street in September 1876 and the District Hospital in 1885. In 1890, Moree Municipal Council was incorporated with nine elected representatives. Boomi and Boolooroo Shires were incorporated in 1906. The three Councils were amalgamated in 1981 to form the Moree Plains Shire Council with twelve (12) Councillors.

Social and Economic Statistics Geographic Area 17,928km² Principal Town Moree Longitude 149.9oE Latitude 29.5oS Population (2006 Census Statistics) Total 13,976 Persons of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander Decent 2705 Other Nationalities (not stated) 2063	Climate Summer (highest daily temp) 43.5° minimum daily temp 19.4° Autumn (highest daily temp) 35.5° minimum daily temp 12.9° Winter( highest daily temp) 27.5° minimum daily temp 4.9° Spring (highest daily temp) 39.6° minimum daily temp 12.2° Average Annual Rainfall 585.50mm Employment (2006 Census Statistics) Total Labour Force 7703
Towns, Villages and Localities Village Population Moree Plains Shire 13,976 Moree Town 9,730 Ashley 272 Biniguy 270 Boggabilla 1181 Boomi 246 Bullarah 271 Garah 336 Mungindi (NSW) 626 Pallamallawa 531 Weemelah 139 Terry Hie Hie Tulloona Tycannah Camurra 374 Gurley Neeworra	Unemployment Rate 9.3% Employment by Industry (Percentage of employed persons) Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing 27% Retail trade 10% Health and Community Services 8% Education and Training 7% Other 7% Public Services and Safety 6% Construction 6% Manufacturing 5% Accommodation, Cafes and Restaurants 5% Professional, Scientific and Technical Services 4% Transport and Storage 4% Wholesale Trade 3% Finance and Insurance 2% Administration and Support 2% Communication Services 1% Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services 1% Electricity, Gas and Water Supply 1% Art and Recreation Services 1%