LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN SHOALHAVEN
FACT SHEET

Local Government in Shoalhaven began on 26^th October 1868 with the incorporation of two new Municipal Councils, Broughton’s Creek and Bomaderry, north of the river, and Numbaa on the south side.

This achievement by local petitioners for the privilege of establishing their local Councils followed the abortive attempt of James Graham to set up the Municipal Council of Shoalhaven. This Council was proclaimed on 22^nd September 1859 but Alexander Berry objected to his lands being included in the Municipality and applied to the Supreme Court for an injunction. Mayor James Graham appealed to the Privy Council, which delivered its findings, in favour of Berry in 1865. The Council became defunct.

Over the next few years the demand for Local Government by residents of the widely scattered settlements saw other Municipal areas declared.

These smaller Councils amalgamated into one council, the Shoalhaven Shire Council in 1948. The Shire of Shoalhaven was proclaimed the City of Shoalhaven on 1st August 1979.

Resources

Major sources of information on Local Government in Shoalhaven are listed below:

Antill R G Settlement in The South, Weston & Co., Kiama, 1982
Bayley William A, Shoalhaven, Shoalhaven Shire Council, Nowra, 1975
Clark Alan, Council Men Nowra Municipality 1872-1948, Shoalhaven Historical Society, 1996
Milton-Ulladulla Historical Society, Nulladolla, Milton-Ulladulla Historical Society, Milton, 1988
Shoalhaven Historical Society, Living Echoes, Shoalhaven City Council, Nowra, 1996
 

This fact sheet has been prepared by Robyn Florance for Shoalhaven Historical Society Inc.