Attunga, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids AttungaNew South Wales |
|
|---|---|
 Attunga
Location in New South Wales
|
|
| Population | 633 (2006 census) |
| Postcode(s) | 2345 |
| Elevation | 374 m (1,227 ft) |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Tamworth Regional Council |
| State electorate(s) | Tamworth |
| Federal Division(s) | New England |
Attunga is a small farming town in the New England area of New South Wales, Australia. It's known for its peaceful rural setting.
History of Attunga
The name "Attunga" comes from an Aboriginal word meaning "a high place." It was first used for a farm owned by John Brown in the 1840s. Before that, the land was part of a huge 313,000-acre (about 1,267 square kilometer) area given to the Australian Agricultural Company in 1834. They used it to graze thousands of sheep.
The village of Attunga was officially recognized in 1847. However, it grew slowly at first. The earliest graves in the Attunga Cemetery date back to 1872. Later, in 1919, a company called BHP opened a limestone quarry here.
Attunga's population didn't grow much until the mid-1900s. Today, about 633 people live there (as of 2006). Many families living in Attunga travel to nearby Tamworth for work. The town has a primary school, a supermarket, a hotel, a sports ground, and a rural fire service station.
What Attunga Does
The main jobs in Attunga are related to farming and mining. Farmers raise sheep and cattle. There's also a limestone mine just east of the town. Attunga is also next to the Attunga State Forest, which is a great place for walking and camping.
The town used to have a train station on the Barraba branch railway line. But the station closed in 1985.
Protecting the Environment
Recently, dry weather (drought) has caused problems along Attunga Creek. When farm animals walk across and along the creek bed, it can damage the banks. In 2006, Attunga received money to help fix this. They started a big project to make the creek banks stronger and plant new trees and plants. This helps keep animals away from the water's edge, protecting the creek.
Mobile Phone Service
Good news for mobile phone users! As part of a special program called the National Blackspot Program, Vodafone will provide mobile phone service to Attunga and the areas around it. This service was planned to start in late 2016.
