A council's story
In 1842, Sydney was incorporated as a city, a little over half a century after Europeans first arrived in Australia.
The oldest municipality in Australia is Adelaide, created in 1840 just 4 years after the settlement of South Australia.
Since its establishment, the City of Sydney has grown and contracted as state governments redraw boundaries, often to the advantage of the governing party.
The City has had powers taken from it and acquired new responsibilties.
Councillors first met in pubs and other buildings around town, now they meet in one of Sydney's most recognisable buildings.
The making of a City
Sydney has transformed from a penal colony in 1788 to today's global city. Along the way it has been governed by London appointees, landed gentry and, since 1842, by a council that has been either elected or imposed by the state government.
In that time, the City of Sydney has expanded and shrunk as authorities tinkered with its borders. The City has had powers taken from it, and gained new responsibilities as the city's society evolved.
These new responsibilities ranged from policing the city to looking after:
- waste, sewerage, rubbish and rats
- city planning.