Tullamore NSW Town Faces Collapse as Pub Closes, June 10

Tullamore, a rural community of under 500 people in NSW’s Central West, is on the brink of disappearing. The town’s only pub closed without warning in June 2026, six months after new owners took over in December 2025. The closure leaves the main street with only a BP service station and bowling club operating, prompting the local council to warn of potential permanent decline.

From Thriving Town to Ghost Street

Tullamore once had two general stores, two banks, a butcher, a hairdresser, and a newsagency. Almost all have closed. The Tullamore Hotel, which provided kitchen, accommodation, and shower facilities for travellers and truck drivers, shut its doors after the owners cited a ‘change in circumstances’ but gave no public explanation. Longtime resident Robert Edwards, who has lived in Tullamore for 70 years, said the closure was ‘a kick in the guts’ and warned ‘our small town may die.’

Property Owners Converting Shops to Homes

Beyond the pub closure, residents blame property owners for buying commercial sites and converting them to private residences. Parkes Shire Council Deputy Mayor Marg Applebee said this trend is ‘very concerning’ because it removes the visible presence of businesses from the main street. The council has pledged to be ‘proactive in regaining some of these facilities’ within Tullamore.

Council Warns of Permanent Decline

The pub’s closure means visitors may now bypass Tullamore entirely, cutting off potential spending and foot traffic. Applebee acknowledged the council is aware of the commercial-to-residential conversion issue but has not yet announced specific measures to reverse the trend. Without intervention, the town risks losing its last anchor businesses and becoming uninhabitable for residents who depend on local services.

Final Thoughts

Tullamore’s collapse reflects a broader crisis in rural NSW. With commercial property owners converting shops to homes and the pub—a key gathering point—now closed, the council faces an urgent need to act or watch the town vanish.

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