Co-operatives in New South Wales and ACT

Co-operative Development Services Ltd
Australian Co-operative Links

Page Updated January 2012

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New South Wales & ACT Co-operatives

The co-operative sector in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory consisted of 691 and 5 co-operatives respectively (excluding financial mutuals) in 2009, comprising 40% of the total number of co-operatives in Australia. ¹

Co-operatives first appeared in NSW in the mid 19th century. Retail co-operatives, also known as Rochdale stores, were formed in 1860's and spread throughout NSW in following years. Agricultural co-operatives emerged in the 1880's among dairy farmers on the state's south east coast. ²

The first specific legislation for co-operatives in NSW was the Building and Co-operative Societies Act 1901. In 1924, NSW co-operatives were brought under the administration of the Co-operation Act 1923, which was the principal law for co-operatives in that state until 1993, when the NSW government enacted the Co-operatives Act 1992. In 1996, the government signed up to the national Co-operatives Laws Agreement, and in 1997 amended its 1992 act to adopt the "core consistent provisions" from the Victorian Co-operatives Act 1996.

Today, co-operatives in NSW are involved in a wide range of economic and social activities. There are over 180 distributing co-operatives in the agricultural, fishing, retail, transport, water and wholesale trade industries, and more than 500 non distributing co-operatives in the accommodation and hospitality, arts and recreation, education and training, health care, housing, media and social services industries.

The first legislation for co-operatives in the Australian Capital Territory was the Co-operative Trading Societies Ordinance Act 1939. Like NSW, the ACT Government signed up to the Co-operatives Laws Agreement and replaced its ordinance with the Co-operatives Act 2002.

The following are links to NSW and ACT co-operatives with websites. Some co-operatives are listed more than once due to their activities covering more than one industry.

LINKS INDEX

Accommodation and Hospitality
Agriculture and Fishing
Arts and Recreation
Business Services
Education and Training
Electricity and Water
Health Care and Social Assistance
Information and Media
Interest Groups
Manufacturing
Real Estate Services
Retail Trade
Transport
Wholesale Trade

ACCOMMODATION and HOSPITALITY

Bowling Clubs

Golf Clubs

Bowraville Recreation Club Co-operative Ltd
Parkes Golf Club Co-operative Ltd
Singleton Golf Club Co-operative Ltd

RSL Clubs

Other Licenced Clubs

Bankstown Polish Club Co-operative Ltd
Belmont Sportman's Club Co-operative Ltd
Bondi Icebergs' Club Co-op Ltd
Dora Creek and District Workers' Co-operative Club Ltd
Gilgandra Services Club Co-op Ltd

Holiday Parks

Erowal Bay Holiday Co-operative Ltd

Retreats

Bulwalla Co-op Ltd
Hidden Valley Owners' Co-operative Society Ltd
Tuncurry Lakeside Village Co-operative Society Ltd

Ski Lodges

AGRICULTURE and FISHING

Agricultural Support Services

Agricultural Finance Co-operative Ltd
Australian Rural Education Centre Co-operative Ltd
Biological Farmers of Australia Co-op Ltd
Henty Machinery Field Days Co-operative Ltd
Monaro Country Lavender Co-operative Ltd
Orange Field Days Co-op Ltd
Primary Management and Training Concepts Co-operative Ltd
Taralga & District Showground and Recreation Co-operative Ltd

Commodity Marketing

Agricultural Products and Seafood Wholesaling

Food Processing

Food Product Manufacturing

Inputs Supplies

Hardware, Building and Rural Supplies

Fishing Support Services

Bermagui Fishermen's Co-operative Ltd
Clarence River Fishermen's Co-operative Ltd
Coffs Harbour Fishermen's Co-operative Ltd
Commercial Fishermen's Co-operative Ltd
Wallis Lake Fishermen's Co-operative Ltd

ARTS and RECREATION

Aboriginal Culture

Boolarng Nangamai Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd
Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative Ltd
Muurrbay Aboriginal Language and Culture Co-operative Ltd

Art and Craft Outlets

Art Galleries and Craft Outlets

Art and Craft Support

Primrose Co-operative Ltd

Boating and Sailing

Balmoral Sailing Club Co-op Ltd
Batemans Bay Marina Co-operative Ltd
Georges River 16ft Sailing Club Co-operative Ltd
Parramatta River Sailing Club Co-operative Ltd
Pittwater Aquatic Club Co-operative Ltd
Port Kembla Sailing Club Co-operative Ltd
Salt Pan and Refuge Coves Co-operative Ltd

Historical Societies

Great Lakes Historical Co-operative Society Ltd
Historic Commercial Vehicle Association Co-operative Ltd
Steam Tram and Railway Preservation Co-op Society Ltd
The Antique Arms Collectors Society of Australia Co-operative Ltd

Music and Theatre Production

Shopfront Theatre for Young People Co-operative Ltd
Sydney Jazz Club Co-operative Ltd
TANTRUM Theatre Co-operative Ltd

Railway Enthusiasts

Bankstown Steam Locomotive Society Co-operative Ltd
Central Coast Steam Model Co-operative Ltd
Hornsby Model Engineers Co-operative Limited
Illawarra Live Steamers Co-operative Ltd
Lake Macquarie Live Steam Locomotive Co-op Society Ltd
South Pacific Electric Railway Co-operative Society Ltd
Sydney Live Steam Locomotive Society Co-operative Ltd
The Bathurst Miniature Railway Co-operative Society Ltd
Western Districts Live Steamers Co-operative Ltd
Zig Zag Railway Co-operative Society Ltd

Sporting Facilities

Hunter Valley Gliding Club Co-operative Ltd
The Ice Skating Club of NSW Co-operative Ltd
Willoughby District Tennis Co-operative Ltd
Woodturners of the Hunter Co-operative Ltd

BUSINESS SERVICES

Business Support

Beehive Industries Co-operative Ltd
Brewarrina Business Centre Co-operative Ltd
Estate Agents Co-operative Ltd
HunterNet Co-operative Ltd
Newcastle Wedding Industry Professionals Co-operative Ltd
Seven Wentworth Co-operative Ltd
The Bower Re-Use and Repair Co-operative Ltd
Welcome Motor Inns Co-operative Ltd

Buying and Marketing Groups

Camping World Australia Co-operative Ltd
Greengold Nurseries Co-operative Ltd
Independent Liquor Group Co-operative Ltd
Independent Toy Specialists of Australia Co-operative Ltd
Newcastle Markets Co-operative Ltd
Plumbers Supplies Co-operative Ltd
Rapid Group Co-operative Ltd
Tertiary Access Group Co-operative Ltd
TFP Co-operative Ltd

Professional Services

Barristers Services Co-operative Ltd
The Mercury Centre Co-operative Ltd

EDUCATION and TRAINING

Adult, Community and Other Education

Australian Rural Education Centre Co-operative Ltd
Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre Co-operative Ltd
Newtown Neighbourhood Centre Co-operative Ltd
Springwood Neighbourhood Centre Co-operative Ltd
Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre Co-operative Ltd
Shopfront Theatre for Young People Co-operative Ltd
TANTRUM Theatre Co-operative Ltd

School Education

Casuarina School Co-operative Ltd
Co-operative for Aborigines Ltd (Tranby College)
Nimbin Community School Co-operative Ltd
The O'Connor Co-operative School Ltd (ACT)

Technical and Vocational Education and Training

Orana Education and Training Co-operative Ltd
Port Macquarie Technology Training Co-operative Ltd
Working Nation Co-operative Ltd

ELECTRICITY and WATER

Electricity Generation

New South Wales Sugar Milling Co-operative Ltd

Energy Related Services

Sydney Energy Co-operative Ltd

Water Supply and Distribution

Coleambally Irrigation Co-operative Ltd
Pioneer Valley Water Co-operative Ltd

HEALTH CARE and SOCIAL ASSISTANCE

Aboriginal Services

Aboriginal Medical Service Western Sydney Co-operative Ltd
Awabakal Newcastle Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd
Brewarrina Business Centre Co-operative Ltd
Co-operative for Aborigines Ltd (Tranby College)
Nungera Co-operative Society Ltd
Thubbo Aboriginal Medical Co-operative Ltd
Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service Co-operative Ltd

Child Care Services

Bermagui Pre School Co-operative Society Ltd
Binnowee Kindergarten Co-operative Society Ltd
Camden Pre-School Kindergarten Co-operative Ltd
Community Child Care Co-operative Ltd
Elanora Heights Community Preschool Co-operative Ltd
Ethnic Child Care, Family & Community Services Co-operative Ltd
Filipino Community Co-operative Ltd
Lifestart Co-operative Ltd
Maroubra Neighbourhood Children's Centre Co-operative Ltd
Mudgee Preschool Kindergarten Co-operative Ltd
SHINE for Kids Co-operative Ltd

Disability and Aged Care Services

Beehive Industries Co-operative Ltd
Bega Valley Meals on Wheels Co-operative Ltd
Co-operative Respite Ltd
Families in Partnership Co-operative Ltd
North Shoalhaven Meals Co-operative Ltd
Radio for the Print Handicapped of NSW Co-operative Ltd
Southern Shoalhaven Zone MOW Co-operative Ltd

Employment Services

COW Co-operative Ltd
Labour Co-operative Ltd
Spectrum Employment Services Co-operative Ltd

General Practice Medical Services

Aboriginal Medical Service Western Sydney Co-operative Ltd
Australian Medical Co-operative Ltd
Bridges After Hours Co-operative Ltd
Diagnostic Medical Co-operative Ltd
Sydney Medical Service Co-operative Ltd
Thubbo Aboriginal Medical Co-operative Ltd
Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service Co-operative Ltd
West Belconnen Health Co-operative Ltd (ACT)
Wollongong Medical Service Co-operative Ltd

Other Health Care Services

Chakra Co-operative Ltd
Mastery Co-operative Ltd
Natural Options Co-operative Ltd
South Sydney Community Aid Co-operative Ltd

Social Support

Australian National Committee on Refuge Women Co-operative Ltd
Chinese Australian Services Society Co-operative Ltd
Creating Links Co-operative Ltd
Croatian Australian Welfare Centre Co-operative Ltd
Ethnic Child Care, Family & Community Services Co-operative Ltd
Guthrie House Co-operative Ltd
Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre Co-operative Ltd
Lao Community Advancement Co-operative Ltd
Newtown Neighbourhood Centre Co-operative Ltd
Springwood Neighbourhood Centre Co-operative Ltd
Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre Co-operative Ltd
The Quigley Co-operative Ltd

INFORMATION and MEDIA

FM Radio Broadcasters

Armidale Community Radio Co-operative Ltd
Bankstown City Radio Co-operative Ltd
Bellingen Community Communications Co-operative Ltd
Community Radio Albury-Wodonga Co-operative Society Ltd
Hawkesbury Radio Communications Co-operative Society Ltd
Highland Media Co-operative Ltd
Liverpool-Green Valley Community Radio Co-operative Ltd
Manly Warringah Media Co-operative Ltd
Manning Media Co-operative Society Ltd
Music Broadcasting Society of NSW Co-operative Ltd
Northside Broadcasting Co-operative Ltd
Radio Eastern Sydney Co-operative Ltd
RDJ-FM Community Radio Co-operative Ltd
Ryde Regional Radio Co-operative Ltd
The Lower Clarence Media Co-operative Society Ltd
WREB Co-operative Ltd

Newspaper and Magazine Publishing

Andromeda Spaceways Publishing Co-operative Ltd

INTEREST GROUPS

Animal Welfare

Domestic Animal Birth-Control Co-operative Society Ltd

Business and Professional Organisations

Australian Valuers Institute Co-op Ltd
Community Child Care Co-operative Ltd
Co-operative Federation of NSW Ltd
RPH Australia Co-operative Ltd
Tenants' Union of NSW Co-operative Ltd

Conservation Groups

Nimbin Rocks Co-operative Ltd
Together Today Co-operative Ltd

Sustainability Networks

Cultureshift Co-operative Ltd

MANUFACTURING

Food Product Manufacturing

Australian Bush Foods and Products Co-operative Ltd.
Broken Hill Gourmet Products Co-operative Ltd
Gloucester Gourmet Foods Co-operative Ltd
Neem Trees, Processing and Neem Products Co-operative Ltd
New South Wales Sugar Milling Co-operative Ltd
Norco Co-operative Ltd
Northern Co-operative Meat Company Ltd

Textile Manufacturing

Tarcutta Textiles Co-operative Ltd

REAL ESTATE SERVICES

Real Estate Services

Comhouse Co-operative Ltd
Estate Agents Co-operative Ltd

Rural Settlement

Beranghi Co-operative Ltd
Bundagen Community Co-operative Ltd
Goolawah Co-operative Ltd

Residential Property Operators (Housing co-operatives)

RETAIL TRADE

Art Galleries and Craft Outlets

Alpha House Artist Co-operative Ltd
Corowa Arts Co-operative Ltd
Curious Art Co-operative Ltd
Harrington Street Artists Co-operative Gallery Ltd
Spiral Gallery Co-operative Ltd
The Inner City Clayworkers Gallery Co-operative Ltd
The Show Room Co-operative Ltd

Department Stores

Hastings Co-operative Ltd

Food Retailing (except Supermarket and Grocery Stores)

Fuel Retailing

Hastings Co-operative Ltd

Hardware, Building and Rural Supplies

Berry Rural Co-operative Society Ltd
Cobargo Co-operative Society Ltd
Hastings Co-operative Ltd
Macleay Regional Co-operative Ltd
Mullumbimby Rural Co-operative Society Ltd
Nambucca River Co-operative Society Ltd
Riverina Co-operative Society Ltd

Newspaper and Book Retailing

University Co-operative Bookshop Ltd

Supermarket and Grocery Stores

Hastings Co-operative Ltd
Macleay Regional Co-operative Ltd
Nambucca River Co-operative Society Ltd

TRANSPORT

Road Freight Transport

LOD Co-operative Haulage and Transport Ltd

Road Passenger Transport

ABC Radio Taxi Co-operative Ltd
Aerial Taxi Cabs Co-operative Society Ltd (ACT)
Co-operative Taxi Cabs Society Ltd
Garden City Cabs Co-operative Ltd
Katoomba Leura Radio Cabs Co-operative Ltd
Legion Cabs Co-operative Ltd
Lismore Taxis Co-operative Ltd
Lithgow City Radio Cabs Co-operative Ltd
RSL Ex-Servicemen's Cabs & Co-operative Members Ltd
St. George Cabs Co-operative Ltd
Taxi Cabs Bathurst Co-op Society Ltd
Taxi Cabs of Orange Co-operative Ltd
Taxi Services Co-operative Ltd

WHOLESALE TRADE

Agricultural Products Wholesaling

Batlow Fruit Co-operative Ltd
Berry Rural Co-operative Society Ltd
Dairy Farmers Milk Co-operative Ltd
Gilgandra Marketing Co-operative Ltd
Hunter Olive Co-operative Ltd
Moulamein Grain Co-operative Ltd
Namoi Cotton Co-operative Ltd
NFG Co-operative Ltd
Tooraweenah Prime Lamb Marketing Co-operative Ltd
Walgett Special One Co-operative Ltd

Grocery and Liquor Wholesaling

Independent Liquor Group Co-operative Ltd

Seafood Wholesaling

Other Goods Wholesaling

Camping World Australia Co-operative Ltd
Furniture One Co-op Ltd
Independent Toy Specialists of Australia Co-operative Ltd
Plumbers Supplies Co-operative Ltd
Rapid Group Co-operative Ltd

1. National Co-operatives Law Regulatory Impact Statement, 2010.
2. Gary Lewis, The Democracy Principle: Farmer Co-operatives in Twentieth Century Australia, 2006.

Top 50 Australian
Co-operatives

CO-OPS by INDUSTRY

Accommodation & Hospitality

Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing

Arts and Recreation

Business Services

Education and Training

Electricity and Water

Financial Services

Health & Social Assistance

Information and Media

Interest Groups

Manufacturing

Real Estate Services

Retail Trade

Transport

Wholesale Trade