R&H Suburb Profile BLAYNEY

Blayney is a farming town and administrative centre in the Central West district of NSW, with a population of about 3000. Located on the Mid-Western Highway about 240km west of Sydney, 35km west of Bathurst and 863mabove sea-level, Blayney is the seat of Blayney Shire Council.

Blayney offers country town charm, avenues of deciduous trees and four distinct seasons. The passage of the seasons is more marked than on the coast. Warm days and cool nights feature in summer, with autumn and spring true seasons of change. Winters can be cold with frosts and occasional snow.

Originally a farming district, the area also prospered from gold, copper and iron as it moved more into mining and away from its agricultural base. The shire’s industries generate substantial employment in the region with the Cadia-Ridgeway Mine providing extra jobs. The region’s unemployment level is significantly below the state average. The demand for labour in Blayney is heavily supplemented by residents living in Orange andBathurst.

Blayney is a comfortable 25 minutes drive to Bathurst, and three and a half hours to Sydney’s CBD. The town is served by the daily Countrylink XPT service between Sydney and Dubbo, as well as several Countrylink Coach and private company bus services connecting with Bathurst andOrange.

There are three schools – Blayney High School, Blayney Public School and St Joseph’s Central School.

Blayney is also known for the Blayney Wind Farm comprising 15 turbines.  The farm's capacity (10 MV) is enough to supply the annual electricity needs of 3500 average Australian homes. Compared to coal-fired generated electricity, the farm saves 8000 tonnes per year of carbon dioxide emissions and reduces the need for greenhouse gas-producing fossil fuel power.