Baulkham Hills Shire - Definition and Overview

Baulkham Hills Shire is a local government area in the north western region of Sydney, Australia. Known as "The Garden Shire", it is an area of rolling hills, bushland, market gardens and urban sprawl and is one of the most rapidly growing local government areas in Australia.

In recent years Baulkham Hills Shire has attracted a large number of 'upwardly mobile', young families seeking a less congested living environment. This has led to the construction of a large number of project homes dubbed 'McMansions', and as a result the residents typically have heavy mortgage commitments. An associated phenomenon is the considerable influence of evangelical Christianity in the area, most notably by the Hillsong Church. This has led to Baulkham Hills Shire sometimes being dubbed the 'Bible Belt' of Sydney.

Its administrative centre is located in the suburb of Castle Hill and its current population is approximately 160,000.

Major suburbs in Baulkham Hills Shire include: Annangrove, Baulkham Hills, Bella Vista, Carlingford, Castle Hill, Kellyville, Northmead, Rouse Hill and Wisemans Ferry

External links

• The Shire of Baulkham Hills (http://www.baulkhamhills.nsw.gov.au)