Population 152,814 Website Bayside Council Area 50 km² Date formed September 9, 2016 | Administrator Greg Wright Bayside Council Randwick | |
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Established 9 September 2016 (2016-09-09) State electorate(s) HeffronKogarahMaroubraRockdale Federal divisions | ||
Bayside Council is a local government area located around Botany Bay which is split between the eastern suburbs and St George areas of Sydney, located approximately 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) south of the CBD in the state of New South Wales, Australia. The Council was formed on 9 September 2016 from the forced merger of the Botany Bay and the Rockdale councils.
Contents
The Council comprises an area of 50 square kilometres (19 sq mi) and at the time of its establishment had an estimated population of 152,814.
The Administrator of Bayside Council is Greg Wright, until the elections for councillors to take place on 9 September 2017.
Suburbs and localities in the local government area
Suburbs in the Bayside Council area are:
Bayside Council also manages and maintains the following localities:
History
Bayside Council was created on 9 September 2016 from the merger of the former City of Botany Bay and Rockdale Councils. This was in spite of opposition within both communities. In Botany Bay residents were given the chance to have their say in a community poll which was held on Saturday 27 February 2016. Ultimately 97.8 per cent of Botany Bay residents voted 'no' when asked the question 'Do you agree that the City of Botany Bay should merge with Rockdale City Council?'. The former Rockdale Council indicated that its preference was to merge with City of Kogarah and City of Hurstville.
Councillors at the City of Botany Bay also attempted to seek a compromise by proposing to merge their Council with Randwick Council and parts of the City of Sydney. Residents in both Botany Bay and Randwick, including the Mayor of Randwick Noel D'Souza favoured this proposal which would have united similar communities in southern Randwick and in Botany Bay. This shared culture is demonstrated by a universal love of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, which led some to nicnkame this the Rabbitohs Council proposal. This compared with the Baird Government's preferred model which would unite Rabbitohs' territory in Randwick Council with Roosters territory in Municipality of Waverley and Woollahra Council.
The State Government ignored these concerns and proceeded with the amalgamation.
Council
Once elected, Bayside Council will comprise fifteen Councillors elected proportionally, with three Councillors elected in each of the following five wards:
All Councillors are expected to be elected for a fixed four-year term of office with effect from 9 September 2017.
These arrangements represent a significant change from the former City of Botany Bay which had a popularly elected Mayor and six single member wards.