City of Hawkesbury
Encyclopedia
The City of Hawkesbury is a Local Government Area of New South Wales
, Australia
, part of which is at the fringe of the Sydney
metropolitan area, about 50 kilometres north-west of the Sydney central business district
. Hawkesbury City is named after the Hawkesbury River
.
ans in 1794 in a bid to acquire arable land
to feed the increasing population of the penal colony
at Sydney. In April 1794, Lieutenant Governor Francis Grose submitted plans for the first 22 farms on the Hawkesbury River in the present Pitt Town Bottoms area. In June 1795 a camp of aborigines opposing the landtakings was harassed by a British regiment commanded by Paterson (who later regretted the necessary injustice)[A. Grasby and M. Hill: Six Australian Battlefield,]. By 1811 Governor Lachlan Macquarie
established the five Macquarie Towns
in the area. They are Windsor
, Richmond
, Castlereagh
, Wilberforce
and Pitt Town
. Many of the early 19th century buildings still survive today. Ebenezer
has the oldest surviving church and school building in Australia.
- were 63,732 people as at 30 June 2006, the 34th largest Local Government Area in New South Wales. It was equal to 0.9% of the New South Wales population of 6,827,694
- was an increase of 292 people over the year to 30 June 2006, the 58th largest population growth in a Local Government Area in New South Wales. It was equal to less than 0.1% of the 58,753 increase in the population of New South Wales
- was, in percentage terms, an increase of 0.5% in the number of people over the year to 30 June 2006, the 102nd fastest growth in population of a Local Government Area in New South Wales. In New South Wales the population grew by 0.9%
- was an increase in population over the 10 years to 30 June 2006 of 9,202 people or 15.8% (1.6% in annual average terms), the 4th highest rate of a Local Government Area in New South Wales. In New South Wales the population grew by 622,966 or 10% (1.0% in annual average terms) over the same period.
- were 26,117 wage and salary earners (ranked 32nd in New South Wales and 95th in Australia, 1.0% of New South Wales's 2,558,415 and 0.3% of Australia's 7,831,856)
- was a total income of $1,014,898,928 (around $1.0 billion) (ranked 34th in New South Wales and 94th in Australia, 0.9% of New South Wales's $107,179,688,262 (around $107 billion) and 0.3% of Australia's $304,034,755,876 (around $304 billion))
- was an estimated average
income per wage and salary earner of $38,860 (ranked 44th in New South Wales and 124th in Australia, 94% of New South Wales's $41,407 and 100% of Australia's $38,820)
- was an estimated median
income per wage and salary earner of $35,944 (ranked 37th in New South Wales and 100th in Australia, 101% of New South Wales's $35,479 and 105% of Australia's $34,149).
has since transformed the southern part of the Shire into dormitory suburb
s; the lack of quality roads and public transport is a major local issue. The northern part of the Shire still contains some farmlands, as well as a vast area of national park
, which will remain untouched due to the inaccessible terrain. It also includes the small town of Bucketty.
The current council, elected in 2008, is:
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, part of which is at the fringe of the Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
metropolitan area, about 50 kilometres north-west of the Sydney central business district
Sydney central business district
The Sydney central business district is the main commercial centre of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It extends southwards for about 3 kilometres from Sydney Cove, the point of first European settlement. Its north–south axis runs from Circular Quay in the north to Central railway station in...
. Hawkesbury City is named after the Hawkesbury River
Hawkesbury River
The Hawkesbury River, also known as Deerubbun, is one of the major rivers of the coastal region of New South Wales, Australia. The Hawkesbury River and its tributaries virtually encircle the metropolitan region of Sydney.-Geography:-Course:...
.
History
It was first settled by EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
ans in 1794 in a bid to acquire arable land
Arable land
In geography and agriculture, arable land is land that can be used for growing crops. It includes all land under temporary crops , temporary meadows for mowing or pasture, land under market and kitchen gardens and land temporarily fallow...
to feed the increasing population of the penal colony
Penal colony
A penal colony is a settlement used to exile prisoners and separate them from the general populace by placing them in a remote location, often an island or distant colonial territory...
at Sydney. In April 1794, Lieutenant Governor Francis Grose submitted plans for the first 22 farms on the Hawkesbury River in the present Pitt Town Bottoms area. In June 1795 a camp of aborigines opposing the landtakings was harassed by a British regiment commanded by Paterson (who later regretted the necessary injustice)[A. Grasby and M. Hill: Six Australian Battlefield,]. By 1811 Governor Lachlan Macquarie
Lachlan Macquarie
Major-General Lachlan Macquarie CB , was a British military officer and colonial administrator. He served as the last autocratic Governor of New South Wales, Australia from 1810 to 1821 and had a leading role in the social, economic and architectural development of the colony...
established the five Macquarie Towns
Macquarie Towns
Macquarie Towns or the Five Macquarie Towns is the collective term for the towns of Castlereagh, Pitt Town, Richmond, Wilberforce and Windsor, all located on and around the Hawkesbury River in New South Wales, Australia....
in the area. They are Windsor
Windsor, New South Wales
Windsor is a town in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Windsor is located in the local government area of the City of Hawkesbury. It sits on the Hawkesbury River, on the north-western outskirts of the Sydney metropolitan area. At the 2006 census, Windsor had a population of...
, Richmond
Richmond, New South Wales
Richmond is a town in New South Wales, north-west of Sydney, in the Local Government Area of the City of Hawkesbury. It is located at a latitude of 33° 35' 54" South and a longitude of 150°45' 04" east, 19 metres above sea level on the alluvial Hawkesbury River flats, at the foot of the Blue...
, Castlereagh
Castlereagh, New South Wales
Castlereagh is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Castlereagh is located 67 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Penrith and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.-History:The suburb is one of the...
, Wilberforce
Wilberforce, New South Wales
Wilberforce is a small town in New South Wales, Australia, in the local government area of the City of Hawkesbury. It is just beyond the outer suburbs of north-west Sydney and lies on the western bank of the Hawkesbury River.-History:...
and Pitt Town
Pitt Town, New South Wales
Pitt Town is a historic town and suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Pitt Town is located 59 kilometres north-west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of the City of Hawkesbury....
. Many of the early 19th century buildings still survive today. Ebenezer
Ebenezer, New South Wales
Ebenezer is a historic town in New South Wales, Australia, in the local government area of the City of Hawkesbury. Ebenezer is located 69 kilometres north-west of Sydney and about 5 kilometres from the larger centre of Wilberforce...
has the oldest surviving church and school building in Australia.
Demographics
According to the Australian Bureau Statistics, there:- were 63,732 people as at 30 June 2006, the 34th largest Local Government Area in New South Wales. It was equal to 0.9% of the New South Wales population of 6,827,694
- was an increase of 292 people over the year to 30 June 2006, the 58th largest population growth in a Local Government Area in New South Wales. It was equal to less than 0.1% of the 58,753 increase in the population of New South Wales
- was, in percentage terms, an increase of 0.5% in the number of people over the year to 30 June 2006, the 102nd fastest growth in population of a Local Government Area in New South Wales. In New South Wales the population grew by 0.9%
- was an increase in population over the 10 years to 30 June 2006 of 9,202 people or 15.8% (1.6% in annual average terms), the 4th highest rate of a Local Government Area in New South Wales. In New South Wales the population grew by 622,966 or 10% (1.0% in annual average terms) over the same period.
Incomes
According to the Australian Bureau Statistics during 2003-04, there:- were 26,117 wage and salary earners (ranked 32nd in New South Wales and 95th in Australia, 1.0% of New South Wales's 2,558,415 and 0.3% of Australia's 7,831,856)
- was a total income of $1,014,898,928 (around $1.0 billion) (ranked 34th in New South Wales and 94th in Australia, 0.9% of New South Wales's $107,179,688,262 (around $107 billion) and 0.3% of Australia's $304,034,755,876 (around $304 billion))
- was an estimated average
Average
In mathematics, an average, or central tendency of a data set is a measure of the "middle" value of the data set. Average is one form of central tendency. Not all central tendencies should be considered definitions of average....
income per wage and salary earner of $38,860 (ranked 44th in New South Wales and 124th in Australia, 94% of New South Wales's $41,407 and 100% of Australia's $38,820)
- was an estimated median
Median
In probability theory and statistics, a median is described as the numerical value separating the higher half of a sample, a population, or a probability distribution, from the lower half. The median of a finite list of numbers can be found by arranging all the observations from lowest value to...
income per wage and salary earner of $35,944 (ranked 37th in New South Wales and 100th in Australia, 101% of New South Wales's $35,479 and 105% of Australia's $34,149).
Main suburbs/localities
Until recently Hawkesbury city remained largely rural, but urban expansion within SydneySydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
has since transformed the southern part of the Shire into dormitory suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
s; the lack of quality roads and public transport is a major local issue. The northern part of the Shire still contains some farmlands, as well as a vast area of national park
National park
A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
, which will remain untouched due to the inaccessible terrain. It also includes the small town of Bucketty.
Council
Hawkesbury City Council is composed of twelve councillors elected proportionally. The mayor is not directly elected. The current makeup of the council is as follows:| Party | Councillors | |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Party of Australia Liberal Party of Australia The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office... |
7 | |
| Independents Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... |
4 | |
| Australian Labor Party Australian Labor Party The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia... |
1 | |
| The Greens Australian Greens The Australian Greens, commonly known as The Greens, is an Australian green political party.The party was formed in 1992; however, its origins can be traced to the early environmental movement in Australia and the formation of the United Tasmania Group , the first Green party in the world, which... |
1 | |
| Total | 13 | |
The current council, elected in 2008, is:
| Councillor | Party | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bart Bassett | Liberal Liberal Party of Australia The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office... |
Now NSW Member for Londonderry, will retire as Councillor Sept 2012 | |
| Barry Calvert | Labor Australian Labor Party The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia... |
||
| Leigh Williams | Greens Australian Greens The Australian Greens, commonly known as The Greens, is an Australian green political party.The party was formed in 1992; however, its origins can be traced to the early environmental movement in Australia and the formation of the United Tasmania Group , the first Green party in the world, which... |
||
| Kim Ford | Liberal Liberal Party of Australia The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office... |
Elected to Council at a by-election Aug 2010 and elected Mayor Sept 2011 | |
| Christine Paine | Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... |
||
| Kevin Conolly Kevin Conolly Kevin Conolly MP, an Australian politician, is a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Riverstone for the Liberal Party of Australia since 2011.-Early years and background:... |
Liberal Liberal Party of Australia The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office... |
Now NSW Member for Riverstone, will retire as Councillor Sept 2012 | |
| Tiffany Tree | Liberal Liberal Party of Australia The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office... |
||
| Jill Reardon | Liberal Liberal Party of Australia The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office... |
||
| Warwick Mackay | Liberal Liberal Party of Australia The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office... |
Elected as independent, now caucuses with Liberals | |
| Paul Rasmussen | Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... |
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| Wayne Whelan | Liberal Liberal Party of Australia The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office... |
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| Bob Porter | Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... |
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