City of Sydney

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History of Sydney City Council

You can download the History of Sydney Council as a PDF document.

In 1842 Sydney was incorporated as a city. The oldest municipality in Australia is Adelaide, created in 1840, just four years after the settlement of South Australia.

Current City of Sydney Emblem
Previous City of Sydney Emblem

The settlement of Sydney was established in 1788 as a convict colony ruled by British Governors. In 1823, a Legislative Council was established but the Governor retained the power to appoint officials to the Council and to over-ride their decisions. By the 1840s, convict transportation had virtually ended and the colonists wanted more control over their affairs. An Imperial Act of 1842 created a new Legislative Council, of which one third was nominated and two thirds elected by property holders.

Municipal Beginnings
In Search for a Town Hall
The Struggle for Power
The City of Sydney - Boundaries and Elections
What Council Does - or 'Vanishing Functions'
Further Reading

Downloads

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Last Updated: Tuesday 1 March, 2011

Please Note:
While care is taken to ensure accuracy, the City of Sydney cannot guarantee that information expressed here is correct and recommends that users exercise their own skill and care with respect to its use. The City of Sydney makes no warranty or undertaking, whether expressed or implied, nor does it assume any legal liability, whether direct or indirect.