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Coordinates: 33°32′0″S 149°15′0″E / 33.53333°S 149.25000°E / -33.53333; 149.25000
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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2013}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox Australian place
{{Infobox Australian place
|type = town
|type = town
Line 9: Line 10:
|postcode = 2799
|postcode = 2799
|est =
|est =
|pop = 3,355
|pop = 2,997
|pop_year = {{CensusAU|2011}}
|pop_year = {{CensusAU|2021}}
|pop_footnotes = <ref name=census>{{Census 2021 AUS |id = UCL115020 |name = Blayney |access-date = 24 January 2024 |quick=on}}</ref>
|pop_footnotes=<ref>[http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2011/quickstat/SSC10248?opendocument&navpos=220]</ref>
|elevation= 863.0
|elevation= 863.0
|coordinates = {{coord|33|32|0|S|149|15|0|E|display=inline,title}}
|coordinates = {{coord|33|32|0|S|149|15|0|E|display=inline,title}}
Line 24: Line 25:
|location2= [[Orange, New South Wales|Orange]]
|location2= [[Orange, New South Wales|Orange]]
}}
}}
'''Blayney''' is a farming town and administrative centre with a population of 3,355 in 2011,<ref>[http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2011/quickstat/SSC10248?opendocument&navpos=220]</ref> in the [[Central West, New South Wales|Central West]] region of [[New South Wales]], Australia. Situated on the [[Mid-Western Highway]] about 240&nbsp;km west of [[Sydney]], 35&nbsp;km west of [[Bathurst, New South Wales|Bathurst]] and 863 m above sea-level, Blayney is the seat of [[Blayney Shire Council]].
'''Blayney''' is a farming town and administrative centre with a population of 2,997 in 2021, in the [[Central West, New South Wales|Central West]] region of [[New South Wales]], Australia. Situated on the [[Mid-Western Highway]] about {{convert|240|km|mi|abbr=on}} west of [[Sydney]], {{convert|35|km|mi|abbr=on}} west of [[Bathurst, New South Wales|Bathurst]] and {{convert|863|m|yard|abbr=on}} above sea-level, Blayney is the seat of [[Blayney Shire Council]].


== History ==
== History ==
Prior to European settlement the area was probably occupied by the [[Wiradjuri]] or [[Gandangara people|Gundungara]] Aborigines.
Prior to European settlement the area was occupied by the Aboriginal [[Wiradjuri]] and, or, [[Gandangara|Gundungara]] peoples.<ref>[https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/bioregions/SouthWesternSlopes-RegionalHistory.htm South Western Slopes – regional history] NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment</ref>


The first European to travel through area was surveyor [[George Evans (explorer)|George Evans]], in 1815 and unofficial occupation of the district began in 1821. The first land grant in the general area known as [[Coombing Park]] was issued to [[Thomas Icely]] in 1829.
The first European to travel through area was surveyor [[George Evans (explorer)|George Evans]], in 1815 and unofficial occupation of the district began in 1821. The first land grant in the general area known as [[Coombing Park]] was issued to [[Thomas Icely]] in 1829.


In 1836 the locality was known as King's Plains, with Doyle's inn being the only public-house. There was also a mill worked by a man called Lambert.<ref>[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/130424889/10965669 Early Colonial Days II], 'The Biography of a Reliable Old Native, John McGuire' by W. H. Pinkstone, ''Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal'', 1 August 1906, page 2.</ref>
The area that would become the town also boasted a mill, an inn and several houses by 1837, and then [[George Gipps|Governor Gipps]] proposed the creation of a village to be named ''Blayney'' in 1842. His proposed site, however, was about 9&nbsp;km north-east of the present site in an area known as [[Kings Plains]] but once that spot proved unsuitable the Blayney village location was established on its present site in 1843.<ref>[http://www.blayney.nsw.gov.au/about/1005.html Shire Council local history site] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219212052/http://www.blayney.nsw.gov.au/about/1005.html |date=19 February 2011 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.blayneynsw.com.au/node/29 Tourism local history site]</ref>

In 1842 [[George Gipps|Governor Gipps]] proposed the creation of a village to be named 'Blayney'. His proposed site, however, was about 9&nbsp;km north-east of the present site in the Kings Plains area, but once that spot proved unsuitable the Blayney village location was established on its present site in 1843.<ref>[http://www.blayney.nsw.gov.au/about/1005.html Shire Council local history site] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219212052/http://www.blayney.nsw.gov.au/about/1005.html |date=19 February 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.blayneynsw.com.au/node/29 |title=Tourism local history site |access-date=16 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100803055803/http://www.blayneynsw.com.au/node/29 |archive-date=3 August 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


A train line used to run from Blayney to the Lime Kilns, transporting lime. This is situated on land adjoining the Blayney Cemetery and is heritage listed. Remnants of the lime kilns can still be seen today.
A train line used to run from Blayney to the Lime Kilns, transporting lime. This is situated on land adjoining the Blayney Cemetery and is heritage listed. Remnants of the lime kilns can still be seen today.

{{Historical populations
|type= Australia
|1921|1345
|1933|1588
|1947|
|1954|1688
|1961|1852
|1966|1909
|1971|2614
|1976|2535
|1981|2694
|1986|2593
|1991|2652
|1996|2672
|2001|2608
|2006|2745
|2011|2810
|2016|2963
|2021|2997
|source=[[Australian Bureau of Statistics]] data.<ref name="ABS Census data">{{cite web |title=Statistics by Catalogue Number |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/ViewContent?readform&view=ProductsbyCatalogue&Action=Expand&Num=2.2 |access-date=24 January 2024}}</ref><ref name="ABS Census data recent">{{cite web |title=Search Census data |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/search-by-area |access-date=24 January 2024}}</ref>
}}

== Heritage listings ==
Blayney has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
* Adelaide Street: [[Blayney Uniting Church]]<ref name=nswshr-456>{{cite NSW SHR|5045320|Blayney Uniting Church & Hall|hr=00456|fn=S90/04977 & HC 32976|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
* Main Western railway: [[Blayney railway station]]<ref name=nswshr-1089>{{cite NSW SHR|5011932|Blayney Railway Station and yard group|hr=01089|fn=EF14/4426|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>

==Facilities and services==
Blayney has three hotels: The Exchange, the Royal, and Tattersalls,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blayney.nsw.gov.au/tourism/eat-drink/hotel-or-motel |title= |website=blayney.nsw.gov.au |access-date=4 January 2019 |archive-date=4 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104072703/http://www.blayney.nsw.gov.au/tourism/eat-drink/hotel-or-motel |url-status=dead }}{{title missing|date=May 2022}}</ref> all in Adelaide Street. A fourth, the Club House, has been converted to a Baptist church. There are six churches in all, the other five being Catholic, Uniting, Anglican, Presbyterian and Pentecostal.

There are three service stations, one offering unmanned 24-hour service for credit card purchases, one supermarket (IGA/Discount Daves), and various retail shops. A multi-purpose Community Centre with a large auditorium and a commercial standard kitchen is adjacent to the Council Chambers, and council also operate an aquatic centre with a large indoor swimming pool and other exercise facilities, and a public library. There are State Government run primary and high schools, with pupils arriving by school bus from surrounding rural areas, and a Catholic run primary school. The hospital offers emergency and medical care and limited surgical services, with more serious cases being transferred to [[Orange Base Hospital]].

There is a 24-hour public toilet in Adelaide Street (the [[Mid-Western Highway]]) just before leaving the town heading west.


==Industry==
==Industry==
[[File:Blayney Railway Station Container Terminal.jpg|thumb|left|[[Intermodal freight transport|Container]] Terminal at [[Blayney railway station|Blayney station]]]]
[[File:Blayney Railway Station Container Terminal.jpg|thumb|left|[[Intermodal freight transport|Container]] Terminal at [[Blayney railway station|Blayney station]]]]


The arrival of the railway in 1874 boosted development and Blayney replaced [[Carcoar, New South Wales|Carcoar]] as the major service centre to local farmlands. Blayney then became a municipality in 1882 and by 1900 a butter factory and freezing works employed many within the town. An [[abattoir]] opened in 1957 and this industry was later supplemented with tanneries and a pet food plant. The abbatoirs closed in 1999.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/rural/content/2010/s2820881.htm Abattoir industry in 'disastrous' state]</ref>
The arrival of the railway in 1874 boosted development and Blayney replaced [[Carcoar, New South Wales|Carcoar]] as the major service centre to local farmlands. Blayney then became a municipality in 1882 and by 1900 a butter factory and freezing works employed many within the town. An [[abattoir]] opened in 1957 and this industry was later supplemented with tanneries and a pet food plant. The abattoirs closed in 1999.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/rural/content/2010/s2820881.htm Abattoir industry in 'disastrous' state]</ref>


In the late 1970s or early '80s a meat canning factory was built on farmland land East of Blayney. This produced [[Spam (food)|Spam]] and other canned meats. This was later turned into an export meat boning facility run by Ron Jones Exports and then a pet food factory. Prior to this, the dam on the land was famous for [[Common yabby|yabbies]], with [[Sunday school]] excursions frequenting there.<ref>Memories of Julie Rourke fishing for yabbies and doing work experience in 1981</ref>
In the late 1970s or early '80s a meat canning factory was built on farmland land East of Blayney. This produced [[Spam (food)|Spam]] and other canned meats. This was later turned into an export meat boning facility run by Ron Jones Exports and then a pet food factory. Prior to this, the dam on the land was famous for [[Common yabby|yabbies]], with [[Sunday school]] excursions frequenting there.<ref>Memories of Julie Rourke fishing for yabbies and doing work experience in 1981</ref>


In 1989, [[Nestlé]] built a new pet food plant, [[Nestlé Purina PetCare|Nestlé Purina]], and purchased adjoining land including Blayney Foods. The Nestlé factory exports pet food to Asia and the Pacific.<ref>http://www.blayneynsw.com.au/node/30 Purina Plant</ref>
In 1989, [[Nestlé]] built a new pet food plant, [[Nestlé Purina PetCare|Nestlé Purina]], and purchased adjoining land including Blayney Foods. The Nestlé factory exports pet food to Asia and the Pacific.<ref>http://www.blayneynsw.com.au/node/30 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100516180301/http://www.blayneynsw.com.au/node/30 |date=16 May 2010 }} Purina Plant</ref>


The [[Cadia-Ridgeway Mine]] is a major employer in the area.
The [[Cadia-Ridgeway Mine]] is a major employer in the area.
Line 48: Line 85:
In 1994, Blayney became home to Australia's largest inland [[Shipping container|container]] terminal, which is situated beside the [[Blayney railway station|railway station]].<ref>[http://www.railpage.com.au/news-898.htm FCL Transport: NSW government must act to make Blayney rail services sustainable]</ref>
In 1994, Blayney became home to Australia's largest inland [[Shipping container|container]] terminal, which is situated beside the [[Blayney railway station|railway station]].<ref>[http://www.railpage.com.au/news-898.htm FCL Transport: NSW government must act to make Blayney rail services sustainable]</ref>


The [[Blayney Wind Farm]], launched in 2000, is the largest of its type in Australia. It consists of 15 wind turbine generators on elevated ridges between Carcoar Dam and Mount Macquarie. Capacity is 10 megawatts, sufficient energy to supply 3,500 Australian homes.<ref>[http://www.blayneynsw.com.au/node/26 Wind Farm]</ref>
The [[Blayney Wind Farm]], launched in 2000, is the largest of its type in Australia. It consists of 15 wind turbine generators on elevated ridges between Carcoar Dam and Mount Macquarie. Capacity is 10 megawatts, sufficient energy to supply 3,500 Australian homes.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.blayneynsw.com.au/node/26 |title=Wind Farm |access-date=16 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100803055753/http://www.blayneynsw.com.au/node/26 |archive-date=3 August 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Climate==

Due to its valley location, Blayney shows a greater diurnal range but narrower seasonal range throughout the year compared to nearby [[Millthorpe, New South Wales|Millthorpe]] which is more exposed. On account of this geographical setup (jointly with its altitude), Blayney's absolute minimum of {{convert|-10.6|C|}} is among the lowest recorded in the Central West region, even with a very limited ten years of record (from 1965 to 1975). Summers are warm and dry with severe thunderstorms, while winters are cool and partly cloudy, with a few occurrences of snow each year.

{{Weather box
|location = Blayney Post Office (1965–1975, rainfall 1885–1992); 863 m AMSL; 33.54° S, 149.26° E
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|unit precipitation days = 0.2 mm
|Jan record high C = 37.5
|Feb record high C = 35.6
|Mar record high C = 35.0
|Apr record high C = 26.7
|May record high C = 24.9
|Jun record high C = 18.3
|Jul record high C = 18.5
|Aug record high C = 21.3
|Sep record high C = 27.8
|Oct record high C = 29.5
|Nov record high C = 31.2
|Dec record high C = 36.1
|year record high C =
|Jan high C = 26.2
|Feb high C = 25.4
|Mar high C = 23.4
|Apr high C = 19.2
|May high C = 14.3
|Jun high C = 11.5
|Jul high C = 10.3
|Aug high C = 11.2
|Sep high C = 14.6
|Oct high C = 18.1
|Nov high C = 20.7
|Dec high C = 24.4
|year high C =
|Jan low C = 10.6
|Feb low C = 10.8
|Mar low C = 8.1
|Apr low C = 4.0
|May low C = 1.1
|Jun low C = -0.5
|Jul low C = -1.1
|Aug low C = 0.3
|Sep low C = 1.6
|Oct low C = 4.6
|Nov low C = 5.6
|Dec low C = 8.2
|year low C =
|Jan record low C = 0.0
|Feb record low C = 1.7
|Mar record low C = -5.5
|Apr record low C = -5.1
|May record low C = -9.4
|Jun record low C = -9.1
|Jul record low C = -10.6
|Aug record low C = -8.9
|Sep record low C = -6.2
|Oct record low C = -5.6
|Nov record low C = -2.5
|Dec record low C = -1.1
|year record low C =
|Jan precipitation mm = 70.8
|Feb precipitation mm = 55.6
|Mar precipitation mm = 52.7
|Apr precipitation mm = 49.7
|May precipitation mm = 56.1
|Jun precipitation mm = 71.8
|Jul precipitation mm = 73.5
|Aug precipitation mm = 76.7
|Sep precipitation mm = 63.9
|Oct precipitation mm = 70.8
|Nov precipitation mm = 59.8
|Dec precipitation mm = 63.7
|year precipitation mm = 765.5
|Jan precipitation days = 6.3
|Feb precipitation days = 5.4
|Mar precipitation days = 5.3
|Apr precipitation days = 5.7
|May precipitation days = 8.0
|Jun precipitation days = 9.9
|Jul precipitation days = 10.4
|Aug precipitation days = 10.2
|Sep precipitation days = 8.6
|Oct precipitation days = 8.2
|Nov precipitation days = 6.6
|Dec precipitation days = 6.4
|year precipitation days = 91.0
|precipitation colour = green
|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_063010_All.shtml|title=Bureau of Meteorology; Blayney Post Office}}</ref>
}}


== Transportation ==
== Transportation ==
The town's railway station is served by the daily [[NSW TrainLink]] XPT service between [[Sydney]] and [[Dubbo]] and the weekly [[Outback Xplorer]] to Broken Hill, as well as several NSW TrainLink Coach and private company bus services connecting with [[Bathurst railway station, New South Wales|Bathurst]] and [[Orange, New South Wales|Orange]].
The town's [[Blayney railway station|railway station]] is served by the daily [[NSW TrainLink]] XPT service between [[Sydney]] and [[Dubbo]] and the weekly [[Outback Xplorer]] to [[Broken Hill]], as well as several NSW TrainLink Coach and private company bus services connecting with [[Bathurst railway station, New South Wales|Bathurst]] and [[Orange, New South Wales|Orange]].


== Notable citizens ==
== Notable citizens ==
* [[Nathan Burns]]: professional football player with [[A-League]] club [[Wellington Phoenix FC|Wellington Phoenix]] and the [[Australia national soccer team|Australian national team]].
* [[Nathan Burns]], professional football player with [[A-League]] club [[Wellington Phoenix FC|Wellington Phoenix]] and the [[Australia men's national soccer team|Australian national team]].
* [[Frank Cooper (Australian politician)|Frank Cooper]]: [[Premier of Queensland]] from 1942 to 1946.
* [[Frank Cooper (politician)|Frank Cooper]], [[Premier of Queensland]] from 1942 to 1946.
* [[Liam Henry (rugby league)|Liam Henry]], rugby league player for the [[Penrith Panthers]].
* [[Peter McCann (footballer)|Peter McCann]], Australian rules footballer
* [[Peter Toohey]], Australian Test cricketer of the late 1970s
* [[Peter Toohey]], Australian Test cricketer of the late 1970s


== Gallery ==
== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="200px" heights="100px" perrow="4">
<gallery widths="200px" heights="100px" perrow="4">
File:Blayney NSW Looking Southwards.jpg|<center>Blayney Valley view from the north</center>
File:Blayney NSW Looking Southwards.jpg|{{center|Blayney Valley view from the north}}
File:BlayneyStreetscape.jpg|<center>Adelaide Street, 2007</center>
File:BlayneyStreetscape.jpg|{{center|Adelaide Street, 2007}}
Image:BlayneyWindFarm.jpg|<center>[[Blayney Wind Farm, New South Wales|Blayney Wind Farm]]</center>
Image:BlayneyWindFarm.jpg|{{center|[[Blayney Wind Farm, New South Wales|Blayney Wind Farm]]}}
File:Blayney Catholic Church.jpg|<center>St James Roman Catholic Church</center>
File:Blayney Catholic Church.jpg|{{center|St James Roman Catholic Church}}
File:Blayney Christ Church.jpg|<center>Christ Church Anglican</center>
File:Blayney Christ Church.jpg|{{center|Christ Church Anglican}}
File:Blayney Saint Pauls Church.jpg|<center>Saint Paul's Church</center>
File:Blayney Saint Pauls Church.jpg|{{center|Saint Paul's Church}}
File:Blayney Town Library.jpg|<center>Shire Library</center>
File:Blayney Town Library.jpg|{{center|Shire Library}}
File:Blayney Council Chambers.jpg|<center>Council Chambers 1934</center>
File:Blayney Council Chambers.jpg|{{center|Council Chambers 1934}}
File:Blayney Post Office.jpg|<center>Post Office</center>
File:Blayney Post Office.jpg|{{center|Post Office}}
File:Blayney Court House.jpg|<center>Court House</center>
File:Blayney Court House.jpg|{{center|Court House}}
File:Blayney Masonic Temple.jpg|<center>Masonic Temple</center>
File:Blayney Masonic Temple.jpg|{{center|Masonic Temple}}
File:Blayney National Australia Bank.jpg|<center>National Australia Bank</center>
File:Blayney National Australia Bank.jpg|{{center|National Australia Bank}}
File:Blayney Railway Station.jpg|<center>Railway Station</center>
File:Blayney Railway Station.jpg|{{center|Railway Station}}
File:Blayney Royal Hotel.jpg|<center>Royal Hotel</center>
File:Blayney Royal Hotel.jpg|{{center|Royal Hotel}}
File:Blayney Club House Hotel.jpg|<center>Club House Hotel</center>
File:Blayney Club House Hotel.jpg|{{center|Club House Hotel}}
</gallery>
</gallery>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|1}}
{{reflist}}


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
Line 98: Line 228:
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101112065323/http://www.eraring-energy.com.au/Default.aspx?aCateId=799 Blayney Wind Farm]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101112065323/http://www.eraring-energy.com.au/Default.aspx?aCateId=799 Blayney Wind Farm]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100726054932/http://www.blayney.local-e.nsw.gov.au/ Blayney Shire Website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100726054932/http://www.blayney.local-e.nsw.gov.au/ Blayney Shire Website]
* [http://www.blayneynsw.com.au/node/30 Industries in the Blayney Shire]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100516180301/http://www.blayneynsw.com.au/node/30 Industries in the Blayney Shire]
* [http://www.cathchurch.net/nsw/parish/Blayney.htm Parish of St James The Great, Blayney]
* [http://www.cathchurch.net/nsw/parish/Blayney.htm Parish of St James The Great, Blayney]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100608150156/http://www.blayney-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/sws/view/993743.node Blayney High School]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100608150156/http://www.blayney-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/sws/view/993743.node Blayney High School]
Line 105: Line 235:
* [http://www.blayneychronicle.com.au/ Blayney Chronicle]
* [http://www.blayneychronicle.com.au/ Blayney Chronicle]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110220001332/http://www.stjosephsblayney.nsw.edu.au/history.html Blayney St Joseph's Catholic School]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110220001332/http://www.stjosephsblayney.nsw.edu.au/history.html Blayney St Joseph's Catholic School]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110721185653/http://www.blayneyanglican.info/html/history.html History of Christ Church, Blayney]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110221031938/http://www.cwl.nsw.gov.au/branches/blayney.htm Blayney Local Library]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110221031938/http://www.cwl.nsw.gov.au/branches/blayney.htm Blayney Local Library]
* [http://www.bathurst-nsw.com/Blayney.html Tourism info.]
* [http://www.bathurst-nsw.com/Blayney.html Tourism info.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101110082142/http://www.bathurst-nsw.com/blayney.html |date=10 November 2010 }}
* [http://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/country-nsw/orange-area/blayney Visit.NSW.com - Blayney]
* [http://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/country-nsw/orange-area/blayney Visit.NSW.com – Blayney]


{{Suburbs of Blayney Shire Council}}
{{Suburbs of Blayney Shire Council}}


{{authority control}}

[[Category:Blayney, New South Wales| ]]
[[Category:Towns in the Central West (New South Wales)]]
[[Category:Towns in the Central West (New South Wales)]]
[[Category:Blayney Shire]]
[[Category:Lime kilns in Australia]]

Latest revision as of 15:35, 6 December 2024

Blayney
New South Wales
Town Entry Sign on Mid Western Highway
Blayney is located in New South Wales
Blayney
Blayney
Coordinates33°32′0″S 149°15′0″E / 33.53333°S 149.25000°E / -33.53333; 149.25000
Population2,997 (2021 census)[1]
Postcode(s)2799
Elevation863.0 m (2,831 ft)
Location
LGA(s)Blayney Shire
State electorate(s)Bathurst
Federal division(s)Calare
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
18.3 °C
65 °F		 4.4 °C
40 °F		 765.9 mm
30.2 in

Blayney is a farming town and administrative centre with a population of 2,997 in 2021, in the Central West region of New South Wales, Australia. Situated on the Mid-Western Highway about 240 km (150 mi) west of Sydney, 35 km (22 mi) west of Bathurst and 863 m (944 yd) above sea-level, Blayney is the seat of Blayney Shire Council.

History

[edit]

Prior to European settlement the area was occupied by the Aboriginal Wiradjuri and, or, Gundungara peoples.[2]

The first European to travel through area was surveyor George Evans, in 1815 and unofficial occupation of the district began in 1821. The first land grant in the general area known as Coombing Park was issued to Thomas Icely in 1829.

In 1836 the locality was known as King's Plains, with Doyle's inn being the only public-house. There was also a mill worked by a man called Lambert.[3]

In 1842 Governor Gipps proposed the creation of a village to be named 'Blayney'. His proposed site, however, was about 9 km north-east of the present site in the Kings Plains area, but once that spot proved unsuitable the Blayney village location was established on its present site in 1843.[4][5]

A train line used to run from Blayney to the Lime Kilns, transporting lime. This is situated on land adjoining the Blayney Cemetery and is heritage listed. Remnants of the lime kilns can still be seen today.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
19211,345—    
19331,588+18.1%
1947—    
19541,688—    
19611,852+9.7%
19661,909+3.1%
19712,614+36.9%
19762,535−3.0%
19812,694+6.3%
19862,593−3.7%
19912,652+2.3%
19962,672+0.8%
20012,608−2.4%
20062,745+5.3%
20112,810+2.4%
20162,963+5.4%
20212,997+1.1%
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics data.[6][7]

Heritage listings

[edit]

Blayney has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

Facilities and services

[edit]

Blayney has three hotels: The Exchange, the Royal, and Tattersalls,[10] all in Adelaide Street. A fourth, the Club House, has been converted to a Baptist church. There are six churches in all, the other five being Catholic, Uniting, Anglican, Presbyterian and Pentecostal.

There are three service stations, one offering unmanned 24-hour service for credit card purchases, one supermarket (IGA/Discount Daves), and various retail shops. A multi-purpose Community Centre with a large auditorium and a commercial standard kitchen is adjacent to the Council Chambers, and council also operate an aquatic centre with a large indoor swimming pool and other exercise facilities, and a public library. There are State Government run primary and high schools, with pupils arriving by school bus from surrounding rural areas, and a Catholic run primary school. The hospital offers emergency and medical care and limited surgical services, with more serious cases being transferred to Orange Base Hospital.

There is a 24-hour public toilet in Adelaide Street (the Mid-Western Highway) just before leaving the town heading west.

Industry

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Container Terminal at Blayney station

The arrival of the railway in 1874 boosted development and Blayney replaced Carcoar as the major service centre to local farmlands. Blayney then became a municipality in 1882 and by 1900 a butter factory and freezing works employed many within the town. An abattoir opened in 1957 and this industry was later supplemented with tanneries and a pet food plant. The abattoirs closed in 1999.[11]

In the late 1970s or early '80s a meat canning factory was built on farmland land East of Blayney. This produced Spam and other canned meats. This was later turned into an export meat boning facility run by Ron Jones Exports and then a pet food factory. Prior to this, the dam on the land was famous for yabbies, with Sunday school excursions frequenting there.[12]

In 1989, Nestlé built a new pet food plant, Nestlé Purina, and purchased adjoining land including Blayney Foods. The Nestlé factory exports pet food to Asia and the Pacific.[13]

The Cadia-Ridgeway Mine is a major employer in the area.

In 1994, Blayney became home to Australia's largest inland container terminal, which is situated beside the railway station.[14]

The Blayney Wind Farm, launched in 2000, is the largest of its type in Australia. It consists of 15 wind turbine generators on elevated ridges between Carcoar Dam and Mount Macquarie. Capacity is 10 megawatts, sufficient energy to supply 3,500 Australian homes.[15]

Climate

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Due to its valley location, Blayney shows a greater diurnal range but narrower seasonal range throughout the year compared to nearby Millthorpe which is more exposed. On account of this geographical setup (jointly with its altitude), Blayney's absolute minimum of −10.6 °C (12.9 °F) is among the lowest recorded in the Central West region, even with a very limited ten years of record (from 1965 to 1975). Summers are warm and dry with severe thunderstorms, while winters are cool and partly cloudy, with a few occurrences of snow each year.

Climate data for Blayney Post Office (1965–1975, rainfall 1885–1992); 863 m AMSL; 33.54° S, 149.26° E
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 37.5
(99.5) 		35.6
(96.1) 		35.0
(95.0) 		26.7
(80.1) 		24.9
(76.8) 		18.3
(64.9) 		18.5
(65.3) 		21.3
(70.3) 		27.8
(82.0) 		29.5
(85.1) 		31.2
(88.2) 		36.1
(97.0) 		37.5
(99.5)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 26.2
(79.2) 		25.4
(77.7) 		23.4
(74.1) 		19.2
(66.6) 		14.3
(57.7) 		11.5
(52.7) 		10.3
(50.5) 		11.2
(52.2) 		14.6
(58.3) 		18.1
(64.6) 		20.7
(69.3) 		24.4
(75.9) 		18.3
(64.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 10.6
(51.1) 		10.8
(51.4) 		8.1
(46.6) 		4.0
(39.2) 		1.1
(34.0) 		−0.5
(31.1) 		−1.1
(30.0) 		0.3
(32.5) 		1.6
(34.9) 		4.6
(40.3) 		5.6
(42.1) 		8.2
(46.8) 		4.4
(40.0)
Record low °C (°F) 0.0
(32.0) 		1.7
(35.1) 		−5.5
(22.1) 		−5.1
(22.8) 		−9.4
(15.1) 		−9.1
(15.6) 		−10.6
(12.9) 		−8.9
(16.0) 		−6.2
(20.8) 		−5.6
(21.9) 		−2.5
(27.5) 		−1.1
(30.0) 		−10.6
(12.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 70.8
(2.79) 		55.6
(2.19) 		52.7
(2.07) 		49.7
(1.96) 		56.1
(2.21) 		71.8
(2.83) 		73.5
(2.89) 		76.7
(3.02) 		63.9
(2.52) 		70.8
(2.79) 		59.8
(2.35) 		63.7
(2.51) 		765.5
(30.14)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 6.3 5.4 5.3 5.7 8.0 9.9 10.4 10.2 8.6 8.2 6.6 6.4 91.0
Source: [16]

Transportation

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The town's railway station is served by the daily NSW TrainLink XPT service between Sydney and Dubbo and the weekly Outback Xplorer to Broken Hill, as well as several NSW TrainLink Coach and private company bus services connecting with Bathurst and Orange.

Notable citizens

[edit]
[edit]
  • Blayney Valley view from the north
    Blayney Valley view from the north
  • Adelaide Street, 2007
    Adelaide Street, 2007
  • Blayney Wind Farm
    Blayney Wind Farm
  • St James Roman Catholic Church
    St James Roman Catholic Church
  • Christ Church Anglican
    Christ Church Anglican
  • Saint Paul's Church
    Saint Paul's Church
  • Shire Library
    Shire Library
  • Council Chambers 1934
    Council Chambers 1934
  • Post Office
    Post Office
  • Court House
    Court House
  • Masonic Temple
    Masonic Temple
  • National Australia Bank
    National Australia Bank
  • Railway Station
    Railway Station
  • Royal Hotel
    Royal Hotel
  • Club House Hotel
    Club House Hotel

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Blayney". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 24 January 2024. Edit this at Wikidata
  2. ^ South Western Slopes – regional history NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
  3. ^ Early Colonial Days II, 'The Biography of a Reliable Old Native, John McGuire' by W. H. Pinkstone, Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal, 1 August 1906, page 2.
  4. ^ Shire Council local history site Archived 19 February 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ "Tourism local history site". Archived from the original on 3 August 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  6. ^ "Statistics by Catalogue Number". Australian Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  7. ^ "Search Census data". Australian Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  8. ^ "Blayney Uniting Church & Hall". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H00456. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  9. ^ "Blayney Railway Station and yard group". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01089. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  10. ^ blayney.nsw.gov.au https://web.archive.org/web/20190104072703/http://www.blayney.nsw.gov.au/tourism/eat-drink/hotel-or-motel. Archived from the original on 4 January 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2019. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)[title missing]
  11. ^ Abattoir industry in 'disastrous' state
  12. ^ Memories of Julie Rourke fishing for yabbies and doing work experience in 1981
  13. ^ http://www.blayneynsw.com.au/node/30 Archived 16 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine Purina Plant
  14. ^ FCL Transport: NSW government must act to make Blayney rail services sustainable
  15. ^ "Wind Farm". Archived from the original on 3 August 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  16. ^ "Bureau of Meteorology; Blayney Post Office".

Bibliography

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  • St. Paul's Church, Blayney, 1862-1937 : an historical sketch. Alan Dougan. [Blayney, N.S.W.? : Presbyterian Church of Australia, 1937]
  • The Anglican Church of Australia, the Diocese of Bathurst : a history of the development of the Parish of Blayney, 1833-1991. [compiled and edited by J.T. Clarkson, C.H.R. Dent] Blayney, N.S.W. : Christ Church Anglican Church, 1991. ISBN 0646073656 :
  • The kings colonials. Garry Reynolds ; illustrated by Christine Reynolds. [Millthorpe, N.S.W. : G. Reynolds], 1982. ISBN 0959305904 :
  • Together travel on : commemorating 150 years of Christian worship, service and mission through the Blayney [Uniting] Church, 1843 to 1993 : Wesleyan Methodist (1843-1902), Methodist (1902-1977), Uniting (1977-1993) Blayney, [N.S.W.] : Uniting Church in Australia, 1993.
  • Dear Mother : a nominal roll of the men and women from Blayney and surrounding districts who served "Queen and country" in the South African (Boer) War 1899-1902. Blayney, N.S.W. : Blayney Shire Local & Family History Group Inc., 2002. ISBN 095815130X
  • Notes on the geology of the Blayney area. G.A.M. Henderson. [Canberra] : BMR Geology and Geophysics, Australia, c1991. ISBN 0642166978
  • Blayney, list of interments : from Blayney Shire records and headstones found in cemetery. compiled by Helen Jeuken and Alan Nesbitt. Bathurst, N.S.W. : Bathurst Family History Research, 1989. ISBN 0958841950
  • The Blayney advocate and Carcoar herald. Originally published weekly: Blayney, N.S.W. : John Mellor. National Library of Australia Microform
  • Blayney Shire pioneer register St. Joseph's Central School Blayney. Blayney, N.S.W. : St Joseph's Central School, Blayney, P. & F. Association, [1993] ISBN 0646153730
  • Blayney District Hospital, 1910-1960 : a brief history to commemorate its 50th anniversary. compiled [i.e. written] by A.A. Cheney [Blayney, N.S.W. : Blayney Newspaper Co., 1960]
  • Blayney Public School : established 1858 [Sandra Retallack] Blayney, N.S.W., : Blayney Public School, 2008. ISBN 9780959167719
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Media related to Blayney, New South Wales at Wikimedia Commons

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