Inverell Shire has a growing population which now stands at 16,844 (view the statistics) while the Inverell business district is a commercial hub which services an estimated 60,000 people.

Prior to European settlement, the first inhabitants of the Inverell district were members of the Kamilaroi (Gomeroi) and Anaiwan (Eneewin) nation. With many tribes making up each nation, traditional dialects spoken include Gamilaraay, Yuwalaraay and Yuwalayaay (Kamilaroi nation) and Nganyaywana (Anaiwan nation). Local placenames adopted from these dialects include Delungra, Bukkulla, Nullamanna, Wallangra and Goonoowigall.

Early European settlers in the 1850s originally founded Inverell as a small town to support agriculture, mainly grazing, discovery of tin then diamonds saw Inverell become the centre for mining tin, diamonds, lead and silver. The town and surrounding villages such as Elsmore and Tingha grew rapidly to support the mining industry and workers flocked to the district with the hope of striking it rich.

By the 1950’s, Inverell had become the largest producer of sapphires in the world and this led to Inverell becoming known as the Sapphire City. Further information on Inverell’s history can be found on our History and Heritage page.

In 1979, three councils amalgamated to form what is now the Inverell Shire Council. Soon after, Council completed a new pipeline from Copeton Dam on the Gwydir River to secure long-term water supply for the Inverell community and a new water reticulation system for the township which now supports residents in Delungra, Gilgai and Tingha.

In July 2019, a State Government determined boundary adjustment saw more than 900 residents in the Tingha, Howell, Stanborough and Georges Creek areas join Inverell Shire.

Today, Council’s vision is to create an inclusive, vibrant community while offering opportunities for resourceful businesses and residents, as well as support services for both commerce and industry.