Inverell is a strong and vibrant town in country Northern New South Wales boasting an excellent shopping centre and accompanying service industries.

Founded originally as a small town to support agriculture, mainly grazing, the finding of tin followed by diamonds in the vicinity saw Inverell become the centre for government mining department to handle mining of tin, diamonds, lead and silver. Naturally, service industries grew to service the mining industry along with shops and housing for the workers who flocked to work in the new industries.

At the beginning of the 1950’s, sapphire mining came into the forefront with large mining companies along with small miners mining many large areas for the elusive gemstones which had been known to exist for three quarters of a century. Inverell became the largest producer of sapphires in the world. Today there is still mining carried out in some areas, but nowhere near the extent of previous years.

The collapse of the tin cartel in the 1980’s saw tin mining cease throughout the region.

With the breakup of the very few large agricultural holdings into smaller size holdings agriculture also grew. The soils in the district are varied but mainly excellent for cropping also along with pasture for the raising of sheep and cattle.

In 1979 Three Shire Councils amalgamated to form what is now the Inverell Shire Council. With this progression Local government had undertaken a new approach in its role of not just being a provider of essential services but entered into the field of land purchase for residential and industrial use.

Council also proceeded positively in the creation of a new pipeline from Copeton Dam on the Gwydir River, which cooincided with the building of a water treatment plant. In addition an entirely new reticulation system was laid throughout Inverell. Prior to these important developments water had been largely obtained from the Macintyre River above Inverell.

Several few years later the council completed its complete water upgrade with the construction of a new sewerage treatment plant.

Both facilities were designed with the future in mind and are able to service a population well above the present levels.

Inverell boasts a very modern saleyard, run completely by the Shire Council. The saleyards now rank as the fourth largest in NSW and were the first to be officially ECU accredited.

The Council’s philosophy has always been to create employment for its citizens and support industry while utilising effectivly any aid that be forthcoming from State and Federal Governments.

A Business Support Services office is also situated in Inverell at the Visitor Information Centre Complex. This facility offers help to people who are thinking of or wishing to start up a business, along with help for existing businesses.

Inverell is situated on the Gwydir Highway, an east west highway linking with the Newell and New England Highways at Moree and Glen Innes respectively. Travel time by road to Brisbane is just over four and a half hours, with travel to Sydney being just under seven hours. Inverell is currently serviced by Aeropelican, Country Link and other bus services.

NSW State Rail runs a rail coach to Tamworth to meet up with the XPT train daily as well as a rail coach that runs to Grafton and returns daily.

The Shire of Inverell covers an area of 8,623 square kilometres of rich farm and grazing land, including large mineral deposits, particularly tin and sapphires - the area produces the majority of the world's sapphires. The northern tablelands are blessed with superb weather conditions, cool nights and long sunny days.

Inverell Shire Council Chambers

Administrative Centre Reception