The Coonamble Shire is located in the north west of New South Wales. The township of Coonamble is the main service centre for the area with the villages of Gulargambone and Quambone also within the Shire Boundaries.

Situated on the underground Castlereagh River, the Coonamble township owes its existence to the discovery of artesian water in the area in the 1890s.

Coonamble is approximately six hours drive from Sydney and eight hours drive to Brisbane via the 'flat track' - a great alternate route to Western and North Queensland.

Coonamble has a daily commercial air service to Sydney via Dubbo and there is a coach service connecting passengers to the Countrylink XPT also at Dubbo. Freight is carried by roadtransport or by rail with harvest the busiest time of year.

Main Industry
Business and the Community
Education and Health
Lifestyle

Main Industry

The rich and diverse agricultural industry is the backbone of the Coonamble Shire. Agriculture is based on extensive grazing and dry land farming with most of the area's commercial farms in the vicinity of 2000 - 2500 hectares in area.

Winter cropping is gradually becoming more extensive as machinery and farming techniques improve. Wheat is the main winter ceraeal, barley a common alternative while oats, canola, faba beans, lupins and cow peas are increasingly being farmed. Summer crops such as cotton are becoming more common with farms located at Quambone.

The Coonamble district is renowned for its pasture and grasses that fatten stock all year round. For sheep and beef the district is one of the most productive in the State. Sheep have historically been the major industry in the Shire, however recent times have seen farmers move to beef cattle production and cropping. The Coonamble Shire Merinos produce medium 22-23 micron (clothing) wool and growers are either pure Merino woolgrowers or cross-breeders for the prime lamb breeding ewe market.

The main beef cattle breeds are Hereford and Hereford Santa Gertrudis Cross. The growth in beef production in the area has resulted in the Coonamble saleyards becoming one of the major cattle saleyards in the state. Weekly fat cattle sales and regular store sales are held in Coonamble and a recent survey ranked the Coonamble saleyards as seventh in the State., based on throughput. The Coonamble abattoir processes a significant number of cattle making it a major industry and employer in the area.

The Shire's rural industry is diversifying. Farm cottage industries, piggeries emu farming, fish farming, goats and yabbies are important enterprises. The Shire also boasts a significant horse breeding and horse racing industry.

An operational orchard, furniture making factory, abattoir and other associated secondary industries also broadens the industry base. Tourism is on the increase with local farmstays and accommodation owners banding together to promote the features and agricultural experiences of the region.

Business and the Community

The Central Business District of Coonamble offers banking services, newsagents,pharmacies, supermarkets, agribusiness enterprises and computer services. Coonamble has a new six terminal Internet Centre with video conferencing facilities and a cafe. Courses are held at the Internet Centre regularly introducing participants to various programs, skills and research methods.

The internet Centre will enable Coonamble to take advantage of opportunities created by technological advancement. Coonamble has its own Comunity Radio, providing businesses with an outlet to advertise and create a sense of community spirit.

With the establishment of six new businesses in Coonamble this year alone, employment opportunities are increasing. Casual farm work is always available and new employment opportunities in the tourism and hospitality industry are being created. There is an employment agency in town to assist employers with staff recruitment.

Education and Health

The Coonamble Shire has five schools offering quality education, including one at Gulargambone and one at Quambone. Preschool and Childcare facilities are also available at Coonamble and Gulargambone. The Western Institute of TAFE, Coonamble Colege has a large number of courses available for post secondary study.

The Western College of Adult Education also offers courses for residents wanting to learn new skills. The Coonamble Library has Internet access and video conferencing facilities.

A network of medical professionals, including local doctors and visiting specialists, supports the Coonamble Hospital. The shire also has a nursing and retirement home, community respite care outlets and home help outlets.

Lifestyle

Coonamble has an extensive calendar of events - from picnic races to twilight jazz concerts. Coonamble is a very active sporting town and offers excellent sporting facilities. Rodeo riding and campdrafting are common events.

The recently renovated St. Patrick's Hall provides excellent facilities for drama and arts activities. The twon also has an ampitheatre, an excellent setting for plays ans musical performances. Coonamble attracts quality cultural performances promoted throughout the region.

Coonamble is central to three of the State's best natural environs - the Warrumbungles, the Pilliga Forest and the Macquarie Marshes. Excellent day trips can be made to go camping, bushwalking, birdwatching exploring salt caves or finding one of the popular bore baths.

The Coonamble Shire has a strong industry base and offers a fulfilling lifestyle. With strong community support, the council and Streets Ahead committees are assisting Coonamble to being the economic and social centre for the far norht west region.