Traditional Owners

The original inhabitants of the Berrigan area were the Wiradjuri Aboriginal people.

Settlement history

European settlement dates from the late 1840s, with land used mainly for cropping and grazing. Growth took place during the late 1800s and early 1900s, aided by the opening of the railway line. Population growth was boosted by the opening of the Berrigan Irrigation Area in 1935, with expansion continuing past the post-war years. The population of the Shire was estimated at 4,900 in 1947, increasing to about 7,100 by 1976. The population continued to increase during the 1980s, rising to about 8,100 in 1991, and then was fairly stable during the 1990s. The population declined slightly to about 7,700 in 2001, rose slightly again to 7,800 in 2006, and then was relatively stable to 2011. The most recent residential growth has been focused in the southern part of the Shire, around the townships of Barooga and Tocumwal.

Land use

Berrigan Shire is a predominantly rural area, with settlement based in the townships of Barooga, Berrigan, Finley and Tocumwal. Rural land is used largely for sheep and cattle grazing and crop growing. The Shire encompasses a total land area of nearly 2,100 square kilometres.

Transport

Berrigan Shire is served by the Newell Highway and the Riverina Highway.

Major features

• Major features of the Shire include Barooga Botanical Gardens,
• Cobram Barooga Golf Club,
• Finley Golf Club,
• Tocumwal Golf Club,
• Bullanginya Lagoon,
• TAFE NSW Riverina Institute (Finley Campus),
• Finley Hospital,
• Tocumwal Regional Park,
• The Murray River and several state forests.

Included areas