Electoral district of Bourke

[1][2][3] Bourke was created in 1880, one of 23 new districts,[a] established under the Electoral Act 1880 (NSW)[4] which was the first major redistribution since 1858.

[5] The district was formed from parts of The Bogan, Balranald and included the major towns of Bourke and Cobar.

Bourke was a key agricultural trading hub, owing to its position as a port on the Darling River,[6] while Cobar's economy was centered around copper mining.

[10] When multi-member constituencies were abolished in 1894,[11] Bourke was reduced in size and parts were given to the new districts of Cobar and The Barwon.

[12] The district was abolished in 1904 as a result of the 1903 New South Wales referendum, which reduced the number of members of the Legislative Assembly from 125 to 90.