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Map of the Coolamon Shire

About the shire

Coolamon Life –

Opportunity, Security, Well-Being

Coolamon Shire is a small and prosperous Local Government area in the Riverina region of southern inland New South Wales. The Shire is centred on the township of Coolamon, 41 kilometres from Wagga Wagga and includes a number of smaller towns including Ganmain, Ardlethan, Marrar, Matong and Beckom. The area has traditionally had a strong agricultural and pastoral focus with particular strengths in grazing and grain cropping. Coolamon Shire has a population of approximately 4,000 residents based in the 6 towns and in their rural surrounds. Coolamon township has a population of approximately 1,350 persons; Ganmain and Ardlethan have approximately 450 residents each whilst Beckom, Marrar and Matong have populations ranging from 80 to 250 persons.

The area's built heritage reflects its flourishing economic development from the time of early European settlement until the 1920s. The main streets and surrounds of the Shire's towns are distinctive and little changed since that time, with original one and two-storey buildings including hotels, stores and emporiums, community halls, churches and schools. Although most towns in the Shire originally had railway stations, Coolamon is the only one surviving and it is used regularly for community activities.

The Shire also has a range of in-situ, locally provenanced collections including the Garth Jones collection at the Up to Date Store, the Ganmain Museum, the Coolamon (town) Baby Health Centre and CWA collection which provide connections to stories of rural life, providing research opportunities focusing on people and places. Such opportunities are becoming rare in New South Wales. It is this unique and Shire-wide inheritance which has been identified as a potential resource for the economic revitalisation of the Shire.

At the same time the proximity of several of the Shire's townships to Wagga and particularly to the Charles Sturt University Campus is attracting new residents to the Shire who work in Wagga or at the University. An increase in the proportion of residents working in Wagga potentially heralds a new era, at least for those towns nearest to Wagga, one which will enhance the local economy.

The large number of mostly unaltered heritage buildings, especially shops and business premises, throughout Coolamon Shire may be unique in New South Wales. These heritage buildings are cultural assets. They are largely intact and unaltered. They are also irreplaceable. Infill development has been minor. Individually and collectively they provide a rare aesthetic experience, represent local history and showcase part of Australia's rural economy and country heritage. Some of the shops and business premises contain some uncommon and rare features, including in the case of the Lamson Cash Carrier, for example, the only one of its type in situ in a store building in Australia. (located at the Up-to-Date Store Coolamon)

The Shire is proud of its heritage and local residents think that Coolamon Shire is a great place to live. Community pride is regarded as one of the area's strengths.

A significant number of businesses exist including antiques, local artists & craftpersons, as well as manufacturing businesses (steel and tin), and speciality produce: alpaca wool, olives, wines, cheese, free range eggs and organic produce.

© 2008 Coolamon Shire Council
This page: http://coolamon.local-e.nsw.gov.au/about.html