Inner West Council Explained

Type:lga
Inner West Council
State:nsw
Pop:182,818
Area:35
Mayor:Darcy Byrne
Seat:Ashfield, Leichhardt & Petersham
Region:Inner West
Logo Upright:1.2
Url:https://www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/
Near-E:City of Sydney
Near-Se:Bayside
Near-S:Bayside
Near-W:Burwood
Near-Nw:Canada Bay

Inner West Council is a local government area located in the Inner West region of Sydney in the state of New South Wales, Australia. The Inner West LGA makes up the eastern part of this wider region, and was formed on 12 May 2016 from the merger of the former Ashfield, Leichhardt and Marrickville councils.[1] [2]

The Inner West LGA covers an area of and as at the had an estimated population of .

The Mayor of Inner West Council is Darcy Byrne, re-elected by the councillors on 8 October 2024. The most recent NSW local government election, on 14 September 2024, resulted in a Labor majority of 8 Councillors, for the second consecutive term.[3]

History

In the early 2010s, the New South Wales Government explored merging various local government areas to create larger councils within Sydney. In 2013, the Independent Local Government Review Panel (ILGRP) initially proposed a merger of the six inner west councils - Burwood, Strathfield, Canada Bay, Ashfield, Leichhardt and Marrickville, into a single council that would govern almost all of the inner west region.[4] Alternative mergers were also proposed, such as one between Auburn, Burwood and Canada Bay,[4] or between Burwood, Canada Bay, Strathfield and Ashfield.[5] The final proposal in the 2015 review of local government boundaries recommended that the Municipality of Ashfield, the Municipality of Leichhardt and the Marrickville Council merge to form a new council with an area of and support a population of approximately .[6] On 12 May 2016, Ashfield Council, Marrickville Council and the Municipality of Leichhardt merged to form the Inner West Council.[1]

Proposed de-amalgamation

In December 2021, a majority of voters in the Inner West LGA voted in favour of reversing the 2016 merger and separating the three pre-existing councils of Ashfield, Leichhardt and Marrickville.[7] The final declared results were: 62% yes and 38% no.[7]

In 2022, the council prepared a business case for de-amalgamation. In December 2022, Inner West Council prepared and submitted a final submission to the NSW Minister for Local Government.[7] [8]

However in March 2024, the Minister for Local Government received the NSW Local Government Boundaries Commission’s report regarding the Council’s business case for de-amalgamation. The report recommended that the proposed de-amalgamation of Inner West Council should not proceed, stating this would be the best outcome for residents and ratepayers of the current local government area.[9]

Suburbs and localities in the local government area

are:[10]

Demographics

At the, there were people in the Inner West local government area; of these 48.8 per cent were male and 51.2 per cent were female. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 1.2 per cent of the population; significantly below the NSW and Australian averages of 3.4 and 3.2 per cent respectively. The median age of people in Inner West Council was 38 years; same as the national median of 38 years. Children aged 0 – 14 years made up 14.6 per cent of the population and people aged 65 years and over made up 14.1 per cent of the population. Of people in the area aged 15 years and over, 37.1 per cent were married and 10.7 per cent were either divorced or separated.

At the 2021 census, the proportion of residents in the Inner West local government area who stated their ancestry as Australian or from Britain or Ireland was about 68 per cent of all residents. In excess of 49 per cent of all residents in Inner West Council nominated a no religious affiliation at the 2021 census, which was in excess of the national average of 38.4 per cent. Meanwhile, as at the census date, compared to the national average, households in the Inner West local government area had a higher than average proportion (42.9 per cent) where two or more languages are spoken (the national average was 31.8 per cent); and a lower proportion (69.8 per cent) where English only was spoken at home (national average was 72.0 per cent).

Selected historical census data for Inner West Council local government area
Census year 20212016201120062001
Population   182,043 263,560  168,323align"right155,456
14align"right"
% of New South Wales population 2.43%
% of Australian population 0.78%
Estimated ATSI population on census night  2,162 2,034  1,585 624636
% of ATSI population to residents  1.2% 1.1% 0.6 0.4%0.4%
Cultural and language diversity
Ancestry,
top responses 		English 29.9% 21.0%16.6%align="right"-align="right"-
Australian 24.4% 16.7%15.7align="right"-align="right"-
Irish 13.7% 9.8%7.5%align="right"-align="right"-
Scottish 9.6%6.5%align="right"-align="right"-align="right"-
Chinese 8.5% 5.9%10.3%align="right"-align="right"-
Language,
top responses
(other than English) 		Mandarin 3.3% 3.6%align"right" 5.9% 6.2%4.0%
Greek 2.7% 2.9%2.7%align="right"-3.2%
Italian 2.2% 2.8% 5.7% 7.6%9.0%
Vietnamese 2.0%2.0%align="right"-align="right"-align="right"-
Cantonese 1.9% 1.9% 4.3% 5.6%5.3%
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation,
top responses 		No religion, so described  49.7% 40.4% 23.6% 15.5%12.7%
Catholic 20.5% 22.4% 31.9% 36.2%38.8%
Not stated 5.4%10.7%align="right"-align="right"-align="right"-
Anglican 5.8% 7.1% 9.6% 10.0%12.1%
Eastern Orthodox 4.2% 4.2% 4.8% 5.0%5.5%
Median weekly incomes
Median weekly personal income $1,207 $957 $723$534align="right"-
% of Australian median income144.6%
Family income Median weekly family income  $3,155 $2,498 $1,985$1,456align="right"-
% of Australian median income 144.1%align=right"
Household income Median weekly household income  $2,340 $2,048align"right" $1,662$1,191align="right"-
% of Australian median income142.4%

Council

The Inner West Council comprises fifteen Councillors elected proportionally, with three Councillors elected in five wards. On 9 September 2017, the current council was elected for a fixed three-year term of office (which was extended for twelve months in 2020 to December 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic);[11] [1] [10] the mayor is appointed biennially and deputy mayor annually by the councillors at the first meeting of the council.

Officeholders

MayorTermNotes
Richard Pearson (Administrator) 12 May 2016 – 21 September 2017
Darcy Byrne (ALP) 21 September 2017 – 7 September 2021 [12] [13] Mayor of Leichhardt 2012–2014, 2015–2016.
Rochelle Porteous (GRN) 7 September 2021 – 29 December 2021 [14] [15] [16] Mayor of Leichhardt 2011–2012, 2014–2015.
Darcy Byrne (ALP) 29 December 2021 – present [17] [18]
Deputy MayorTermNotes
Julie Passas (Lib) 21 September 2017 – 11 September 2018 Ashfield East Ward Councillor 2012–2016.
Victor Macri (Ind) 11 September 2018 – 10 September 2019 [19] Mayor of Marrickville 2012–2013.
Vittoria Raciti (Lib) 10 September 2019 – 22 September 2020 [20] Ashfield North East Ward Councillor 2012–2016.
Victor Macri (Ind) 22 September 2020 – 7 September 2021 [21] Marrickville Ward Councillor 2017–2021.
Pauline Lockie (Ind) 7 September 2021 – 29 December 2021
Jessica D'Arienzo (ALP) 29 December 2021 – 13 September 2022
Philippa Scott (ALP) 13 September 2022 – 19 September 2023 [22]
Chloe Smith (ALP) 19 September 2023 – 2024
Mat Howard (ALP) 8 October 2024 - present
General Manager/CEO[23] TermNotes
Vanessa Chan 12 May 2016 – 1 September 2016 General Manager of Ashfield Council 2010–2016[24]
Rik Hart 9 September 2016 – 20 February 2019 General Manager of Warringah Council 2007–2016[25]
Michael Deegan 20 February 2019 – 19 October 2020 [26] [27]
Elizabeth Richardson (acting) 19 October 2020 – 30 October 2020 [28]
Brian Barrett (acting) 30 October 2020 – 9 April 2021 General Manager of Marrickville Council 2013–2016[29] [30]
Elizabeth Richardson (acting) 9 April 2021 – 3 May 2021 [31]
Peter Gainsford 3 May 2021 – present General Manager of the City of Canada Bay 2018–2021[32]

Current composition

The most recent election was held on 14 September 2024, and the makeup of the council by order of election, is as follows:[33]

PartyCouncillors
 Australian Labor Partyalign=right 8
 Greens NSWalign=right 5
 Liberal Partyalign=right 1
 Independentsalign=right 1
Totalalign=right 15
WardCouncillorPartyNotes
Ashfield – Djarrawunang (Magpie) Ward[34] [35] [36]  Izabella AntoniouGreens
 Jo CarlisleLabor
 Jessica D'ArienzoLaborDeputy Mayor 2021–2022.
Balmain – Baludarri (Leather Jacket) Ward[37]  Ismet TastanGreens
 Darcy ByrneLaborElected 2017; Mayor 2017–2021, 2021–present;
 Kerrie Fergusson Labor
Leichhardt – Gulgadya (Grass Tree) Ward[38]  Andrew BlakeGreens
 Philippa ScottLaborDeputy Mayor 2022–2023.
 Vittoria RacitiLiberal
Marrickville – Midjuburi (Lillypilly) Ward[39]  Mat HowardLabor
 Olivia BarlowGreens
 Victor MacriIndependent
Stanmore – Damun (Port Jackson Fig) Ward[40]  Liz AtkinsGreensElected 2021
 Chloe SmithLaborDeputy Mayor 2023–2024.
 Vicki ClayLabor

Town halls

The Inner West Council owns and maintains the three seats of the three pre-merger councils, being Ashfield Town Hall, Petersham Town Hall and Leichhardt Town Hall. Since 2021, all Council meetings have been held at the Ashfield Service Centre. https://www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/about/the-council/council-meetings

In addition, the Council also owns the Marrickville, Balmain and St Peters town halls, which were the seats of municipal councils that had existed prior to their merger into the immediate predecessor councils.[41]

Election results

2021

Past councillors

Ashfield–Djarrawunang Ward

YearCouncillorPartyCouncillorPartyCouncillorParty
2017 Mark DruryLabor Tom KiatGreens Julie PassasLiberal
2021 Dylan GriffithsGreens Jessica D'ArienzoLabor

Balmain–Baludarri Ward

YearCouncillorPartyCouncillorPartyCouncillorParty
2017 Darcy ByrneLabor Rochelle PorteousGreens John Stamolis Independent
2021 Kobi ShettyGreens

Leichhardt–Gulgadya Ward

YearCouncillorPartyCouncillorPartyCouncillorParty
2017 Lucille McKennaLabor Marghanita Da CruzGreens Vittoria RacitiLiberal
2021 Philippa ScottLabor Tim StephensLabor

Marrickville–Midjuburi Ward

YearCouncillorPartyCouncillorPartyCouncillorParty
2017 Sam IskandarLabor Colin HesseGreens Victor MacriIndependent
2021 Mat HowardLabor Justine LangfordGreens Zoi TsardouliasLabor

Stanmore–Damun Ward

YearCouncillorPartyCouncillorPartyCouncillorParty
2017 Anna YorkLabor Louise SteerGreens Pauline LockieIndependent
2021 Chloe SmithLabor Liz AtkinsGreens

Culture

Inner West Library Service

The Inner West Library Service consists of a network of 8 libraries located within the Inner West Council boundaries. After the Inner West Council amalgamation, a new library management system was launched on 1 March 2019, with a soft launch in late February allowing members to borrow from all libraries in the service.[42] [43] [44]

The libraries of the Inner West Library Service include:[45]

See also

External links

-33.8929°N 151.1538°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Inner West Council . 15 March 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180315021047/https://www.strongercouncils.nsw.gov.au/new-councils/inner-west-council/ . dead . Stronger Councils . . 12 May 2016 . 15 May 2016 .
  2. Web site: Local Government (Council Amalgamations) Proclamation 2016 [NSW] - Schedule 9 - Provisions for Inner West Council]. Parliament of New South Wales. 22 September 2017. 21. 2012 . 5 February 2024 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240205051401/https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/pdf/asmade/sl-2016-242.
  3. https://www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/about/news/media-releases/2024-media-releases/new-inner-west-council-sworn-in-and-mayor-darcy-byrne-re-elected
  4. https://dpc-olg-ss.s3.amazonaws.com/56c8a4100d28ddda92d9194af3216c74/Burwood-Canada-Bay-Strathfield.pdf Merger Proposal: Burwood Council, City of Canada Bay Council, Strathfield Municipal Council
  5. https://www.strathfield.nsw.gov.au/strathfield-council-rejects-proposal-to-merge-with-burwood-ashfield-and-canada-bay/ Strathfield Council rejects proposal to merge with Burwood, Ashfield and Canada Bay
  6. Web site: Merger proposal: Ashfield Council, Leichhardt Municipal Council, and Marrickville Council . . January 2016 . 18 February 2016 . 7 .
  7. News: Hore . Allison . Inner West Council moves on demerger . 30 March 2022 . Inner West Review . 16 February 2022.
  8. Web site: De-amalgamation . 9 January 2024 . 5 February 2024 . 5 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240205003107/https://www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/about/the-council/de-amalgamation-poll . live . Inner West Council.
  9. Web site: De-amalgamation - Inner West Council .
  10. Web site: Community profile . Inner West Council . 6 November 2023 . 5 February 2024 . It includes the following suburbs: Annandale, Ashfield, Balmain (including Balmain East), Birchgrove, Dobroyd Point, Dulwich Hill, Enmore, Haberfield, Leichhardt, Lewisham, Lilyfield, Marrickville, Petersham, Rozelle, Stanmore, St Peters, Summer Hill, Sydenham, Tempe and parts of: Ashbury, Camperdown, Croydon, Croydon Park, Hurlstone Park and Newtown. . 5 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240205003929/https://www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/explore/getting-around/our-community/community-profile . live.
  11. Web site: Report on the conduct of the 2021 NSW Local Government elections. New South Wales Electoral Commission. 5 February 2024. 5 February 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240205054239/https://elections.nsw.gov.au/getmedia/ad862d85-d1cc-4117-9ab3-4af9f3c5c143/nswec-lge21-part-1-web.pdf. live . The elections in 2020 were originally scheduled to be held on Saturday, 12 September 2020. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the then Minister for Local Government announced the postponement of these elections, first to 4 September 2021 and subsequently to 4 December 2021..
  12. News: Labor wins inner west mayoralty after power-sharing deal with Liberals . Visentin . Lisa . 21 September 2017 . Sydney Morning Herald . 22 September 2017.
  13. Darcy Byrne re-elected as Inner West Mayor. 7 October 2021. Inner West Council. 10 September 2018.
  14. New Mayor and Deputy Mayor. 7 October 2021. Inner West Council. 8 September 2021.
  15. Web site: Gorrey. Megan. Inner West councillors oust controversial Labor mayor Darcy Byrne. 7 September 2021. Sydney Morning Herald. 7 September 2021. en.
  16. Web site: 7 September 2021. Inner West Council mayor Darcy Byrne replaced ahead of December elections. 7 September 2021. ABC News.
  17. News: Maguire . Sarah . Hore . Allison . Darcy Byrne wins election as inner west mayor . 29 December 2021 . Inner West Review . 29 December 2021.
  18. Web site: Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting held on 19 September 2023 . Inner West Council . 20 September 2023 . 19 September 2023.
  19. New Deputy Mayor for Inner West Council . 30 September 2018. Inner West Council. 12 September 2018.
  20. Cr Vittoria Raciti new Deputy Mayor of Inner West. 11 September 2019. Inner West Council. 10 September 2018.
  21. Web site: Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting on 22 September 2020 . Inner West Council . 7 October 2021 . 2 . 22 September 2020.
  22. Web site: Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting held on 13 September 2022 at Ashfield Service Centre . Inner West Council . 7 October 2022 . 13 September 2022.
  23. Known as the Chief Executive Officer until 30 October 2020.
  24. News: Barwell. David. Inner West Council general manager Vanessa Chan resigns less than four months into the role. https://web.archive.org/web/20240205063843/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailytelegraph.com.au%2Fnewslocal%2Finner-west%2Finner-west-council-general-manager-vanessa-chan-resigns-less-than-four-months-into-the-role%2Fnews-story%2F8d0224a5fe2cda0b231b6907c4644e0f%3Fnk%3D931540c3e3ee9af41bbc9dbf392a1dd5-1707115123 . live . 5 February 2024. 21 September 2017. Inner West Courier . The Daily Telegraph. 2 September 2016.
  25. News: Experienced GM to step in at Inner West Council. 21 September 2017. Inner West Council. 9 September 2016. Media Release.
  26. Michael Deegan appointed new Inner West CEO. 7 October 2021. Inner West Council. 20 February 2019.
  27. News: Thompson . Angus . Inner West Council CEO Michael Deegan resigns . 7 October 2021 . Sydney Morning Herald . 21 October 2020.
  28. Web site: Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting on 27 October 2020 . Inner West Council . 7 October 2021 . 27 October 2020.
  29. New acting General Manager for Inner West. 7 October 2021. Inner West Council. 30 October 2020.
  30. News: Thompson . Angus . 'Enormous betrayal': Inner West GM resigns after Dawn Fraser Baths referral . 7 October 2021 . Sydney Morning Herald . 30 March 2021.
  31. Web site: Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting on 13 April 2021 . Inner West Council . 7 October 2021 . 13 April 2021.
  32. New General Manager for Inner West Council. 7 October 2021. Inner West Council. 6 April 2021.
  33. News: Maguire . Sarah . Labor picks up three seats for outright majority on Inner West Councill . 20 December 2021 . Inner West Review . 20 December 2021.
  34. Web site: Inner West - Ashfield - Djarrawunang (Magpie) Ward. NSW Local Council Elections 2021. NSW Electoral Commission. 20 December 2021.
  35. Web site: Council Wards to Adopt Aboriginal Names. Inner West Council. 14 December 2018. 3 April 2019.
  36. Web site: Inner West Council Ward Map. Inner West Council. 14 December 2018. 16 April 2019.
  37. Web site: Inner West - Balmain - Baludarri (Leather Jacket) Ward. NSW Local Council Elections 2021. NSW Electoral Commission. 20 December 2021.
  38. Web site: Inner West - Leichhardt - Gulgadya (Grass Tree) Ward. NSW Local Council Elections 2021. NSW Electoral Commission. 20 December 2021.
  39. Web site: Inner West - Marrickville - Midjuburi (Lillypilly) Ward. NSW Local Council Elections 2021. NSW Electoral Commission. 20 December 2021.
  40. Web site: Inner West - Stanmore - Damun (Port Jackson Fig) Ward. NSW Local Council Elections 2021. NSW Electoral Commission. 20 December 2021.
  41. https://www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/explore/venues-for-hire/town-halls Inner West Council - Town Halls
  42. Web site: Collections - Libraries. 12 January 2019. Inner West Council.
  43. Web site: Library Fine Amnesty and Transition to New Services. 13 February 2019. 16 April 2019. Inner West Council.
  44. Web site: Inner West Council: Library & History Catalogue Home. 16 April 2019. Inner West Council. Inner West Council Library & History.
  45. Web site: Locations and Opening Hours. 12 January 2019. Inner West Council.

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