Great Lakes Council

Great Lakes Council New South Wales
Location in New South Wales
Population:	34,853 [1]
Area:	3376 km² (1,303.5 sq mi)
Mayor:	Jan McWilliams[2]
Council Seat:	Forster (Breese Parade)
Region:	Mid North Coast
State District:	Myall Lakes Upper Hunter
Federal Division:	Paterson
Website: http://www.greatlakes.nsw.gov.au
LGAs around Great Lakes Council: Gloucester Greater Taree Greater Taree Dungog Great Lakes Council Pacific Ocean Port Stephens Port Stephens Pacific Ocean

Great Lakes Council is a Local Government Area (LGA) in New South Wales, Australia on the shores of Port Stephens, Myall Lakes and Wallis Lake. It is on the Pacific Highway and the Lakes Way.

Demographics

In the 2006 Census of Population and Housing there were 32,766 usual residents living in Great Lakes Shire Council. Of this count, 16,091 (or 49%) were males and 16,675 (or 51%) were females.

By age, 16% of the population was under 15 years old, 56% were between 15 and 65, and 28% were over 65 years old.

Economy

According to the 2006 Census of Population and Housing, the median individual income was $338 per week (equal to approximately $17,624 per year). The median family income in 2006 was $747 per week (equal to approximately $38,951 per year); and, the median household income in 2006 was $611 per week (equal to approximately $31,859 per year).

There were 10,619 people employed in 2006 (to give an employment to working age population ratio of 0.58), and 1,088 people unemployed. The most common occupations were Technicians and Trades Workers (16%); Labourers (15%); and, Managers (14%). The top 5 industries for employment were School Education (4.8%); Cafes, Restaurants and Takeaway Food Services (4.6%); Accommodation (3.4%); Residential Building Construction (3.4%); and, Residential Care Services (3.3%).

Housing

In the 2006 Census of Population and Housing, the median housing loan repayment was $1,161 per month. This equated to marginally under 48% of median household income.

The median rent in 2006 was $171 per week. This equated to just under 28% of median household income.

The average household size was 2.2 persons.

Geography

The Council's largest town and seat is Forster (12,188 people). It also includes the towns of Tuncurry (5,631), Bulahdelah (1,832), Hawks Nest, Tea Gardens (2,618 - Hawks Nest and Tea Gardens combined), Nabiac, Failford (2,184 - Nabiac, Failford and nearby rural areas combined), Pacific Palms (3,252, including nearby areas) and Stroud (2,384, including hinterland) and the villages of Smiths Lake, Bungwahl, Coolongolook, Wootton, Girvan, Booral and Stroud Road.

Environment

The Great Lakes is home to the globally significant, Ramsar Convention listed Myall Lakes wetlands. These wetlands are an important foundation for the economies of the suburbs of the Great Lakes Council Local Government Area, particularly the recreational fisheries and tourism sectors. Due to a number of anthropogenic threats to these wetlands, concerned residents of the area have established MyallWetlands.com to promote the sustainable use of the regions natural resources.

Council

Great Lakes Council is composed of nine councillors elected proportionally. The mayor is not directly elected.^[3] The current makeup of the council is as follows:^[3]

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

References

Coordinates: 32°13′S 152°32′E / 32.217°S 152.533°E / -32.217; 152.533