About Winton Shire Council
The shire of Winton was proclaimed a local authority in September 1886. On 1st January 1887 elections were held in three divisions for membership of the Winton divisional board which became the local authority.
With the passing of the 'Local Authorities Act' of 1901, the Winton divisional board became Winton Shire Council in January 1902, under which name it has survived to this day.
Winton Shire Council now oversees an area of 53,820 square kilometres with a population of approx 1600 people. In the '03 to '04 financial year the total length of roads in the shire equated to 2,385 kilometres. There were a total of 676 ratable urban properties, 327 rural properties and 253 mining leases.
The main areas of industry in the Winton Shire are cattle and sheep farming, livestock transport, opal mining, gypsum and tourism.
