New England Online > Geography > Administrative Divisions > Counties > Macleay
Macleay
| Macleay | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Geography | |
| Established: | 1 October 2012 |
| Population: | 79,518 |
| County Town: | Kempsey |
| Politics | |
| Control: | National |
| Earl: | Goeff Jamison |
Macleay is a medium sized county located on the coast of New England, directly east of Armidale. The county is named after the Macleay River, which flows through the middle of the county and on which the county town of Kempsey is located.
Area & Population
Macleay is divided into the Districts of Lower Macleay, Upper Macleay and Kundabung, the Towns of Fredrickton, Crescent Head and South West Rocks, and the City of Kempsey.
The county is home to 95,000 people, most of whom live in Kempsey. Kempsey has a population of 56,194. Other major centres include Crescent Head with 26,870 and Smithtown-Gladstone with 22,600. The smallest district is Bellbrook with 2,200 residents.
Politics
Macleay has a healthy and vibrant political culture, which has led to a large number of Earls being elected since independence. No party enjoys extended dominance, and the county is well known for being distrustful of long serving county councils.
The current council consists of four National, two SDLP and one independent Aldermen. The current Earl is Geoff Jamison of the National Party.
Earls of Macleay:
- Oscar Fischer (United) 2012 - 2016
- Ian Brown (National) 2016 - 2022
- Sam West (United/SDLP) 2022 - 2028
- Una Becker (National) 2028 - 2032
- Eli Cohen (SDLP) 2032 - 2040
- Peter Adamson (SDLP) 2040 - 2044
- Kylie Bennett (National) 2044 - 2048
- Ian Devine (SDLP) 2048 - 2051
- Geoff Jamison (National) Since 2051
Places of Interest
There are a number of places of interest in Macleay registered with the Department of Cultural Heritage, including:
- Macleay Gorges Nature Reserve
- Trial Bay Gaol
Counties of New England
Apsleyshire · Clarence · Fitzroyshire · Greater Armidale · Guyra · Gwydir
Macintyre · Macleay · Macquarie · Parkes · Raleigh · Severnshire · Uralla
