The local government areas (LGA) of New South Wales in Australia have been subject to periodic restructuring by the Government of New South Wales, involving voluntary and involuntary amalgamation of areas. The state government currently classifies local governments into two categories: Areas and Cities. A city is an area that has received city status by proclamation of the Governor. Some areas retain designations they held under prior legislation, even though these titles no longer indicate a legal status. These are:
- Municipalities (predominantly inner-city suburban areas and smaller rural towns)
- Shires (predominantly rural or outer suburban areas).
Some areas designated since the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW) have adopted the title "Region", usually large rural areas dominated by a rural city. Many councils now choose not to use any area title, and simply refer to themselves as councils, e.g. Palerang Council, Burwood Council. The smallest local government area by area in the state is the Municipality of Hunter's Hill.
Contents
Reviews of local government areas
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In October 2013 the New South Wales Government released the findings of an independent review of local government in New South Wales. The review findings entitled Revitalising Local Government examined historical and projected demographic data, financial sustainability, and other measures and projected the long-term viability all local government bodies in the state. Included in the report were 65 recommendations to the Government.[1] The Government released its response to the review findings in September 2014 and then facilitated discussions with certain local government authorities with a view towards merger and/or amalgamation.[2] In April 2015 the NSW Government referred the review findings and its responses to the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) to act as the Expert Advisory Panel and to review local council Fit for the Future proposals.[3] Releasing its final report in October 2015, the IPART reviewed submissions from local government authorities and others with a view towards establishing authorities that have the scale and capacity to engage effectively across community, industry and government, are sustainable and efficient, and that effectively manage infrastructure and deliver services for local communities.The IPART found that:[4][5]
- 71 per cent of councils in metropolitan Sydney were 'not fit', primarily because councils did not propose a merger despite clear benefits; and
- 56 per cent of councils in regional NSW were 'not fit', due to not proposing a merger despite clear benefits, ongoing deficits or both.
The IPART proposed a series of council mergers and amalgamation in both metropolitan and regional areas which proposed a reduction in the number of councils from 152 to 112.[6] The NSW Government invited local government authorities to respond by 20 November 2015. Public response to the proposed amalgamations was mixed.[7] Following consideration of the submissions, the Minister for Local Government referred merger proposals to the Chief Executive of the Office of Local Government (OLG) for examination and report under the Local Government Act. The OLG Chief Executive delegated the examination and reporting functions to Delegates who conducted public inquiries and invited further written submissions by 28 February 2016.[8] The Minister for Local Government as well as the independent Local Government Boundaries Commission will comment on the reports prepared by the Delegates and the Minister will make a decision on the fate of each Council. The Governor of New South Wales will act on the advice of the Minister.[9]
List of all local government areas in New South Wales
As of August 2015 there were 152 local government areas in New South Wales,[10] listed below in alphabetical order. In addition, there is also the Unincorporated Far West Region which is not part of any local government area, in the sparsely inhabited Far West, and Lord Howe Island, which is also unincorporated but self-governed by the Lord Howe Island Board.
Greater metropolitan Sydney
Local government area | Date established |
Area | Population | References | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
km2 | sq mi | rank | (2011 census) | rank | |||
Ashfield, Municipality of | 8 | 3.1 | 41,214 | [11] | |||
Auburn, City of | 19 February 1892 | (as a borough), 24 June 2009 (as a city)32 | 12 | 80,892 | [12] | ||
Bankstown, City of | 9 September 1895 | (as a municipal district), 27 May 1980 (as a city)76.8 | 29.7 | 193,398 | 15th | [13] | |
Blacktown, City of | 7 March 1906 | (as a shire), 7 March 1979 (as a city)246.9 | 95.3 | 301,099 | 5th | [14] | |
Botany Bay, City of | 1996 | 26.75 | 10.33 | 39,356 | [15] | ||
Burwood Council | 1874 | 7 | 2.7 | 32,423 | [16] | ||
Camden Council | 201 | 78 | 56,720 | [17] | |||
Campbelltown, City of | |||||||
Canada Bay, City of | December 2000 | 20 | 7.7 | 75,763 | [18] | ||
Canterbury, City of | 17 March 1879 | 34 | 13 | 137,454 | [19] | ||
Fairfield, City of | 11 December 1888 | (as Smithfield and Fairfield Municipal District), 18 May 1979 (as a city)||||||
The Hills Shire | 7 March 1906 | (as Baulkham Hills Shire)||||||
Holroyd, City of | 9 July 1872 | (as Prospect and Sherwood Municipal District), 1 January 1991 (as a city)40.19 | 15.52 | 99,163 | [20] | ||
Hornsby Shire | 6 March 1906 | ||||||
Hunter's Hill, Municipality of | 6 | 2.3 | 152nd | 13,215 | [21] | ||
Hurstville, City of | 1988 (as a city) | 23 | 8.9 | 80,823 | [22] | ||
Kogarah, City of | 2008 (as a city) | 20 | 7.7 | 55,806 | [23] | ||
Ku-ring-gai Council | |||||||
Lane Cove, Municipality of | |||||||
Leichhardt, Municipality of | |||||||
Liverpool, City of | 27 June 1872 | (as a municipal district), 9 November 1960 (as a city)||||||
Manly Council | |||||||
Marrickville Council | |||||||
Mosman, Municipality of | |||||||
North Sydney Council | |||||||
Parramatta, City of | 27 November 1861 | (as a municipality), 27 October 1938 (as a city)||||||
Penrith, City of | 1871 (as a municipal district), 1959 (as a city) | ||||||
Pittwater Council | |||||||
Randwick, City of | |||||||
Rockdale, City of | |||||||
Ryde, City of | 12 November 1870 | (as a municipal district), 1 January 1992 (as a city)||||||
Strathfield, Municipality of | |||||||
Sutherland Shire | |||||||
Sydney, City of | 20 July 1842 | 25 | 9.7 | 169,505 | 10th | [24] | |
Warringah Council | |||||||
Waverley Council | 16 June 1859 | 9 | 3.5 | 63,487 | [25][26] | ||
Willoughby, City of | |||||||
Woollahra, Municipality of | 20 April 1860 | 12 | 4.6 | 52,158 | [27][28] |
Sydney surrounds
Local government area | Date established |
Area | Population | References | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
km2 | mi2 | rank | (2011 census) | rank | |||
Blue Mountains, City of | 1,432 | 553 | 78,550 | [4]:143 | |||
Gosford, City of | 1,029 | 397 | 168,300 | [4]:207 | |||
Hawkesbury, City of | 2,793 | 1,078 | 64,350 | [4]:229 | |||
Wollondilly Shire | 2,560 | 990 | 44,600 | [4]:393 | |||
Wyong Shire | 840 | 320 | 154,350 | [4]:399 |
Rural and regional areas
Mid North Coast
Local government area | Date established |
Area | Population | References | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
km2 | mi2 | rank | (2011 census) | rank | |||
Bellingen Shire | |||||||
Clarence Valley Council | |||||||
Coffs Harbour, City of | |||||||
Greater Taree, City of | |||||||
Kempsey Shire | |||||||
Nambucca Shire | |||||||
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council | |||||||
Lord Howe Island |
Murray
Local government area | Date established |
Area | Population | References | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
km2 | mi2 | rank | (2011 census) | rank | |||
Albury, City of | |||||||
Balranald Shire | |||||||
Berrigan Shire | |||||||
Conargo Shire | |||||||
Corowa Shire | |||||||
Deniliquin Council | |||||||
Greater Hume Shire | |||||||
Jerilderie Shire | |||||||
Murray Shire | |||||||
Tumbarumba Shire | |||||||
Urana Shire | |||||||
Wakool Shire | |||||||
Wentworth Shire |
Murrumbidgee
Local government area | Date established |
Area | Population | References | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
km2 | mi2 | rank | (2011 census) | rank | |||
Carrathool Shire | |||||||
Coolamon Shire | |||||||
Cootamundra Shire | |||||||
Griffith, City of | |||||||
Gundagai Shire | |||||||
Hay Shire | |||||||
Junee Shire | |||||||
Leeton Shire | |||||||
Lockhart Shire | |||||||
Murrumbidgee Shire | |||||||
Narrandera Shire | |||||||
Temora Shire | |||||||
Wagga Wagga, City of |
Hunter
Local government area | Date established |
Area | Population | References | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
km2 | mi2 | rank | (2011 census) | rank | |||
Cessnock, City of | |||||||
Dungog Shire | |||||||
Gloucester Shire | |||||||
Great Lakes Council | |||||||
Lake Macquarie, City of | |||||||
Maitland, City of | |||||||
Muswellbrook Shire | |||||||
Newcastle, City of | |||||||
Port Stephens Council | |||||||
Singleton Council | |||||||
Upper Hunter Shire |
Illawarra
Local government area | Date established |
Area | Population | References | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
km2 | mi2 | rank | (2011 census) | rank | |||
Kiama, Municipality of | |||||||
Shellharbour, City of | |||||||
Shoalhaven, City of | |||||||
Wingecarribee Shire | |||||||
Wollongong, City of |
Richmond-Tweed
Local government area | Date established |
Area | Population | References | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
km2 | mi2 | rank | (2011 census) | rank | |||
Ballina Shire | |||||||
Byron Shire | |||||||
Kyogle Council | |||||||
Lismore, City of | |||||||
Richmond Valley Council | |||||||
Tweed Shire |
Canberra Region
Local government area | Date established |
Area | Population | References | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
km2 | mi2 | rank | (2011 census) | rank | |||
Bega Valley Shire | |||||||
Bombala Shire | |||||||
Boorowa Shire | |||||||
Cooma-Monaro Shire | |||||||
Eurobodalla Shire | |||||||
Goulburn Mulwaree Council | |||||||
Harden Shire | |||||||
Palerang Council | |||||||
Queanbeyan, City of | |||||||
Snowy River Shire | |||||||
Tumbarumba Shire | |||||||
Tumut Shire | |||||||
Upper Lachlan Shire | |||||||
Yass Valley Council | |||||||
Young Shire |
Northern
Local government area | Date established |
Area | Population | References | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
km2 | mi2 | rank | (2011 census) | rank | |||
Armidale Dumaresq Shire | 2000 | 4,235 | 1,635 | 24,105 | [29] | ||
Glen Innes Severn Council | 5,487 | 2,119 | 8,656 | [30] | |||
Gunnedah Shire | 4,994 | 1,928 | 12,066 | [31] | |||
Guyra Shire | 4,395 | 1,697 | 4,397 | [32] | |||
Gwydir Shire | 17 March 2004 | 9,453 | 3,650 | 4,965 | [33] | ||
Inverell Shire | 8,606 | 3,323 | 16,075 | [34] | |||
Liverpool Plains Shire | 2004 | 5,086 | 1,964 | 7,480 | [35] | ||
Moree Plains Shire | 17,930 | 6,920 | 14,050 | [4]:287 | |||
Narrabri Shire | 13,031 | 5,031 | 12,925 | [36] | |||
Tamworth Regional Council | 2004 | 9,892 | 3,819 | 56,292 | [37] | ||
Tenterfield Shire | 7,332 | 2,831 | 6,811 | [38] | |||
Uralla Shire | 3,230 | 1,250 | 6,250 | [4]:367 | |||
Walcha Shire | 1 June 1955 | 2,621 | 1,012 | 3,100 | [39][4]:375 |
Central West
Local government area | Date established |
Area | Population | References | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
km2 | mi2 | rank | (2011 census) | rank | |||
Bathurst Regional | 26 May 2004 | 3,820 | 1,470 | 38,519 | [40] | ||
Bland Shire | |||||||
Blayney Shire | |||||||
Cabonne Shire | |||||||
Cowra Shire | |||||||
Forbes Shire | |||||||
Lachlan Shire | |||||||
Lithgow, City of | |||||||
Mid-Western Regional | |||||||
Oberon Shire | |||||||
Orange, City of | 285 | 110 | 38,057 | [41] | |||
Parkes Shire | |||||||
Weddin Shire |
North Western
Local government area | Date established |
Area | Population | References | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
km2 | mi2 | rank | (2011 census) | rank | |||
Bogan Shire | |||||||
Bourke Shire | |||||||
Brewarrina Shire | |||||||
Cobar Shire | |||||||
Coonamble Shire | |||||||
Dubbo, City of | |||||||
Gilgandra Shire | |||||||
Narromine Shire | |||||||
Walgett Shire | |||||||
Warren Shire | |||||||
Warrumbungle Shire | |||||||
Wellington Council |
Far West
Local government area | Date established |
Area | Population | References | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
km2 | mi2 | rank | (2011 census) | rank | |||
Broken Hill, City of | |||||||
Central Darling Shire | |||||||
Unincorporated Far West |
List of former local government areas in New South Wales
An alphabetical list of former local government areas that have been amalgamated or split to form existing local government areas in New South Wales. Also includes original names of some local government areas that have since been renamed.
Greater metropolitan Sydney
Local government area | Date established |
Date ended |
Notes | References |
Baulkham Hills Shire | March 7, 1906 | Renamed The Hills Shire. | ||
Cabramatta and Canley Vale, Municipality of | 8 October 1892 | 31 December 1948 | Originally part of the Municipal District of Liverpool from 1872. Amalgamated with Municipality of Fairfield from 1 January 1949. | [42] |
Castlereagh, Municipality of | 31 December 1948 | Amalgamated with Penrith Municipality, St. Mary's Municipality and part of Nepean Shire to form, Municipality of Penrith from 1 January 1949. | ||
Dundas, Municipality of | 23 March 1889 | 31 December 1948 | Amalgamated with Parramatta City, Granville Municipality and Ermington and Rydalmere Municipality, to form City of Parramatta from 1 January 1949. | |
Eastwood, Municipality of | August 1907 | 31 December 1948 | Amalgamated with Municipality of Ryde from 1 January 1949. | |
Ermington and Rydalmere, Municipality of | 18 June 1891 | 31 December 1948 | Originally part of the Municipal District of Dundas from 1889. Amalgamated with Parramatta City, Dundas Municipality and Granville Municipality, to form City of Parramatta from 1 January 1949. | |
Granville, Municipality of | 20 January 1885 | 31 December 1948 | Amalgamated with Parramatta City, Dundas Municipality and Ermington and Rydalmere Municipality, to form City of Parramatta from 1 January 1949. | |
Ingleburn, Municipality of | 25 April 1896 | 31 December 1948 | Amalgamated with Municipality of Campbelltown from 1 January 1949. | [43] |
Lidcombe, Municipality of | 22 October 1913 | 31 December 1948 | Amalgamated with Municipality of Auburn from 1 January 1949. | |
Marsfield, Municipality of | 5 June 1894 | August 1907 | Originally part of the Municipal District of Ryde from 1870. Renamed Municipality of Eastwood in August 1907. | |
Mulgoa, Municipality of | 25 July 1893 | 30 June 1913 | Originally part of the Municipal District of Penrith from 1871. Amalgamated with Nepean Shire Council from 1 July 1913. | [44] [45] |
Nepean Shire | 7 March 1906 | 31 December 1948 | Split amongst the Municipality of Camden, Municipality of Liverpool and Municipality of Penrith, from 1 January 1949. | |
Prospect and Sherwood, Municipality of | 9 July 1872 | 10 January 1927 | Renamed Municipality of Holroyd on 11 January 1927. | |
Rookwood, Municipality of | 8 December 1891 | 21 October 1913 | Renamed Municipality of Lidcombe from 22 October 1913. | |
Smithfield and Fairfield, Municipality of | 1888 | 1920 | Renamed Municipality of Fairfield. | |
St. Mary's, Municipality of | 3 March 1890 | 31 December 1948 | Amalgamated with Penrith Municipality, Castlereagh Municipality and part of Nepean Shire to form, Municipality of Penrith from 1 January 1949. | [46] |
See also
References
- ^ Sansom, Graham; Munro, Jude; Inglis, Glenn (25 October 2013). "Revitalising Local Government: Final Report" (PDF). Independent Local Government Review Panel. Government of New South Wales. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
- ^ "Reform - Fit for the Future". Local Government NSW. 2015. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
- ^ Baird, Mike (22 April 2015). "Terms of Reference for a review of local council Fit for the Future proposals by an Expert Advisory Panel" (PDF) (Press release). NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Boxall, Peter J., AO; Jones, Catherine; Comrie, John (October 2015). "Assessment of Council Fit for the Future Proposals" (PDF). NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal. ISBN 978-1-925340-21-1. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
- ^ Baird, Mike; Toole, Paul (20 October 2015). "Fit for the future: $2 billion community windfall by merging unfit councils" (Press release). Government of New South Wales. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
- ^ "NSW councils to merge under State Government plan for forced amalgamations; 2016 elections delayed". ABC News. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
- ^ Kembrey, Melanie. "Council mergers: expert adviser Graham Sansom slams merger proposals". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
- ^ "Background". Council Boundary Review. Government of New South Wales. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
- ^ "Process for creating new Councils". Council Boundary Review. Government of New South Wales. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
- ^ "Local Government Directory | Office of Local Government". www.olg.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 2015-08-04.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Ashfield (A)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Auburn (C)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Bankstown (C)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Blacktown (C)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Botany Bay (C)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Burwood (A)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Camden (A)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Canada Bay (A)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Canterbury (C)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Holroyd (C)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Hunters Hill (A)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Hurstville (C)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Kogarah (C)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Sydney (C)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
- ^ "Proclamation of the incorporation of the district of Waverley as a Municipality". NSW Government Gazette No. 115, 16 June, 1859, folios 1343-1344. 16 June 1859.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Waverley (A)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
- ^ Jarvis & Kelly (1960). The History of Woollahra. Sydney: Halstead Press.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Woollahra (A)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Armidale Dumaresq (A)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Glen Innes Severn (A)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Gunnedah (A)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Guyra (A)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Gwydir (A)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Inverell (A)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Liverpool Plains (A)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Narrabri (A)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Tamworth Regional (A)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Tenterfield (A)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
- ^ Walcha 100 years of Local Government. Walcha: Walcha Shire Council. 1989.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Bathurst Regional (A)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Orange (C)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
- ^ "Government Gazette Proclamations and Legislation". New South Wales Government Gazette (721) (New South Wales, Australia). 10 October 1892. p. 8132. Retrieved 30 March 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "PROCLAMATION". New South Wales Government Gazette (325) (New South Wales, Australia). 28 April 1896. p. 2979. Retrieved 31 March 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Government Gazette Proclamations and Legislation". New South Wales Government Gazette (532) (New South Wales, Australia). 26 July 1893. p. 5888. Retrieved 31 March 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "PROCLAMATION". Government Gazette Of The State Of New South Wales (97) (New South Wales, Australia). 25 June 1913. p. 3841. Retrieved 30 March 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Government Gazette Proclamations and Legislation". New South Wales Government Gazette (123) (New South Wales, Australia). 4 March 1890. p. 1898. Retrieved 31 March 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
External links
- New South Wales Department of Local Government Directory
- Map of Local Government Areas in New South Wales PDF, showing recent council amalgamations
- Clickable map of New South Wales LGAs (New South Wales Department of Local Government)
- Shires of Australia at statoids.com
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