City of Blacktown
Encyclopedia
The City of Blacktown is a Local Government Area in the heart of Western Sydney
, situated on the Cumberland
Plain
, approximately 35 km from Sydney CBD
. It is bounded by the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Penrith
, Parramatta
, Fairfield
, Holroyd
, Hawkesbury
and The Hills Shire
. It occupies an area of 246.9 square kilometres. It is the most populous (271,709 - 2006) Local Government Area in New South Wales.
Blacktown was originally named for an Aboriginal settlement in the area. Today, Blacktown continues to be home to a large Aboriginal population, the largest of any suburb or township in New South Wales
.
A school for Aborigines was moved in 1823 from Parramatta
to the site where Richmond Road meets Rooty Hill Road North. The road from Prospect
to Richmond
became known as the Black Town Road
. In 1860 the Railway Department gave the name of Black Town Road Station to the railway station at the junction of the railway and the Black Town Road, with the name shortening to Blacktown by 1862.
Acacia Gardens
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Arndell Park
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Bidwill
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Blackett
-
Blacktown
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Colebee
-
Dean Park
-
Dharruk
-
Doonside
-
Eastern Creek
-
Emerton
-
Glendenning
-
Glenwood
-
Hassall Grove
-
Hebersham
-
Huntingwood
-
Kellyville Ridge
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Kings Langley
-
Kings Park
-
Lalor Park
-
Lethbridge Park
-
Marayong
-
Marsden Park
-
Minchinbury
-
Mount Druitt
-
Oakhurst
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Parklea
-
Plumpton
-
Prospect
-
Quakers Hill
-
Riverstone
-
Ropes Crossing
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Rouse Hill
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Rooty Hill
-
Schofields
-
Seven Hills
-
Shalvey
-
Shanes Park
-
Stanhope Gardens
-
The Ponds
-
Toongabbie
-
Tregear
-
Vineyard
-
Whalan
-
Willmot
-
Woodcroft
SMD
and Legislative Council
.
In the Legislative Assembly, the City of Blacktown encompasses all or parts of the following electorates:
The current council, elected in 2008, is:
As of the 2007 social plan, the council has been divided into three regions
North (Glenwood, Stanhope Gardens, Kellyville Ridge, Rouse Hill, The Ponds, Riverstone, Schofields, Parklea, Marsden Park, Shanes Park, Colebee, Quakers Hill, Acacia Gardens, Vineyard)
East (Blacktown, Seven Hills, Lalor Park, Toongabbie, Arndell Park, Kings Langley, Marayong, Kings Park, Huntingwood, Prospect, Doonside)
West (Plumpton, Willmot, Mount Druitt, Rooty Hill, Oakhurst, Tregear, Emerton, Dharruk, Hebersham, Glendenning, Dean Park, Whalan, Minchinbury, Bidwill, Blackett, Lethbridge Park
These regions will be used for social planning in the future.
The device features:
For a picture of the coat of arms see Council's website.
, the third largest in Australia behind Brisbane City and the Gold Coast
and the eighth fastest growing City in Australia.
Large scale urban development has contributed to Blacktown's continued population growth and to the development of new estate areas which has led to the establishment of 45 suburbs to date. Blacktown therefore encompasses a mix of older established areas and new developing areas.
Blacktown's diverse land use also continues to attract developers and retailers to the largest quantity of zoned and serviced industrial
and commercial
land throughout NSW.
Blacktown's Central Business District
/City Centre provides residents with numerous shopping facilities and services and is the Commercial Centre for government departments and local business. This includes a court house, police station, shared State Government Office building, and the Westpoint shopping mall.
Blacktown City is youthful, with over half the population (117,179 persons or 50.5%) under 30 years of age. This age category increased by 4.4% between 1991-1996. But as it is youthful, it is also growing older, with a much higher increase in the 50 years and over population of 13.3% between 1991-1996.
The largest ethnic group is Filipino, which comes to 25% of Blacktown's population.
The City of Blacktown Council operates five libraries throughout the area, the central Max Webber Library located in the Blacktown CBD adjacent to Westpoint Shopping Centre. The other branches are at Lalor Park, Mount Druitt, Riverstone and Stanhope Gardens.
between Sydney
, Penrith
and Richmond
; the Great Western Highway
, Richmond Road
; plus the M2
, M4
, and M7
Motorways. There are 1,019 km of local roads and 100 km of Regional roads within Blacktown.
The Blacktown railway station is an interconnecting station for the Countrylink services between Dubbo and the country terminal in the Sydney CBD
.It is also a bus interchange utilised by Westbus and Busways transport operators providing connection to local suburbs not directly linked by rail.
These private bus companies offer interconnection services between many of the railway stations within the City of Blacktown and beyond, extending the reach of public transport along the main road corridors of the Great Western Highway, Prospect Highway, Richmond Road, Windsor Road and other major roads throughout the area.
Cycling is being increasingly catered for throughout the city. The council has a published map showing over 65 km of existing cycleway (including some cycleways on shared roads), however there are extensive biking and walking tracks which are not included on that map http://www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/our-city/access-around-the-city/access-around-the-city_home.cfm.
Blacktown City Council proposes that by December 2006 there will be 125 km of cycleways assisting in providing safe bicycle access throughout the city. This does not include recreational cycleways such as those in the various parks and gardens throughout the area.
provide a natural buffer between areas of urban development.
A total of eight creeks and tributaries form part of the two major catchments
of the area including the Nepean Hawkesbury Catchment and the Upper Parramatta River Catchment.
, before it was closed down in 2004. Westpoint Shopping Centre
is also a popular place for local residents of Blacktown. One of its cinemas has the largest standard cinema screen in Australia.
Blacktown has one of the two remaining Drive-in Theatres
in Sydney. Every Sunday morning the Blacktown Markets takes place on the grounds of the Drive-In.
to the now abandoned tower near the site where Richmond Road meets Rooty Hill Road North (this intersection is now in the suburbs of Hassall Grove
, Glendenning
and Quakers Hill
http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&om=1&ll=-33.734369,150.847607&spn=0.017131,0.028925). The road from Prospect
to Richmond
became known as the Black Town Road
. In 1860 the Railway Department gave the name of Black Town Road Station to the railway station at the junction of the railway and the Black Town Road, with the name shortening to Blacktown by 1862.
Today, the City of Blacktown continues to be home to a large Aboriginal population; the largest Aboriginal population of any metropolitan local government area. It has a large population of recent migrants to Australia. Blacktown is also the largest of any suburb or township in New South Wales
.
It is the birthplace of actress Toni Collette
.
Porirua
, New Zealand, since 1984 Suseong-gu, Daegu, South Korea, since 1994 Liaocheng
, China, since 2003 Liverpool Plains, Australia, since 2005
Western Sydney
Western Sydney is a major region of Sydney, Australia. It has a number of different definitions but one consistently used is the region composed of the 11 councils which until recently were all members of the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils:* Auburn Council* Bankstown City Council*...
, situated on the Cumberland
Cumberland
Cumberland is a historic county of North West England, on the border with Scotland, from the 12th century until 1974. It formed an administrative county from 1889 to 1974 and now forms part of Cumbria....
Plain
Plain
In geography, a plain is land with relatively low relief, that is flat or gently rolling. Prairies and steppes are types of plains, and the archetype for a plain is often thought of as a grassland, but plains in their natural state may also be covered in shrublands, woodland and forest, or...
, approximately 35 km from Sydney CBD
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...
. It is bounded by the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Penrith
City of Penrith
The City of Penrith is a Local Government Area in Sydney, located about west of Sydney's central business district.- History :The Municipality of Penrith was incorporated on 12 May 1871 under the Municipalities Act 1858. On 3 March 1890, St Marys was separately incorporated, and on 26 July 1893...
, Parramatta
City of Parramatta
The City of Parramatta is a Local Government Area in western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia.Initially in 1861 it was formed as Municipality of Parramatta...
, Fairfield
City of Fairfield
The City of Fairfield is a Local Government Area in the south-west of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia.- Suburbs in the local government area :Suburbs in the City of Fairfield are:* Abbotsbury* Bonnyrigg* Bonnyrigg Heights* Bossley Park...
, Holroyd
City of Holroyd
Holroyd is a Local Government Area and suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, located in the Western Sydney region. Originally known as the Municipality of Prospect and Sherwood it was incorporated in February 1872, in 1927 it was renamed the Municipality of Holroyd after Arthur Holroyd,...
, Hawkesbury
City of Hawkesbury
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...
and The Hills Shire
Baulkham Hills Shire
The Hills Shire is a local government area of in the north western region of Sydney, Australia. The area encompasses 380 square kilometres stretching from North Parramatta in the south to Wiseman's Ferry on the Hawkesbury River in the north.-Incomes:According to the Australian Bureau of...
. It occupies an area of 246.9 square kilometres. It is the most populous (271,709 - 2006) Local Government Area in New South Wales.
Blacktown was originally named for an Aboriginal settlement in the area. Today, Blacktown continues to be home to a large Aboriginal population, the largest of any suburb or township in New South Wales
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...
.
A school for Aborigines was moved in 1823 from Parramatta
Parramatta, New South Wales
Parramatta is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is located in Greater Western Sydney west of the Sydney central business district on the banks of the Parramatta River. Parramatta is the administrative seat of the Local Government Area of the City of Parramatta...
to the site where Richmond Road meets Rooty Hill Road North. The road from Prospect
Prospect, New South Wales
Prospect is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Prospect is located 32 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region....
to 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...
became known as the Black Town Road
Blacktown Road, Sydney
Blacktown Road is a secondary road which links the City of Blacktown to the M4 motorway in Sydney, Australia adjacent to the Great Western Highway....
. In 1860 the Railway Department gave the name of Black Town Road Station to the railway station at the junction of the railway and the Black Town Road, with the name shortening to Blacktown by 1862.
Suburbs in the local government area
Suburbs in the City of Blacktown are:Acacia Gardens
Acacia Gardens, New South Wales
Acacia Gardens is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Acacia Gardens is located 40 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown...
-
Arndell Park
Arndell Park, New South Wales
Arndell Park is a predominantly industrial suburb in the City of Blacktown, in Western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Its postcode is 2148.This suburb is managed as a part of the Eastern Creek Area, along with Huntingwood...
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Bidwill
Bidwill, New South Wales
Bidwill is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Bidwill is located 48 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region....
-
Blackett
Blackett, New South Wales
Blackett is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Blackett is located 48 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region....
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Blacktown
Blacktown, New South Wales
Blacktown is a suburb in the City of Blacktown, in Western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Blacktown is located 34 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre of the local government area of City of Blacktown.Blacktown is the largest...
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Colebee
Colebee, New South Wales
Colebee is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Colebee is located 47 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Western Sydney region.-History:...
-
Dean Park
Dean Park, New South Wales
Dean Park is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Dean Park is located 43 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Western Sydney region....
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Dharruk
Dharruk, New South Wales
Dharruk is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Dharruk is located 46 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region....
-
Doonside
Doonside, New South Wales
Doonside is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Doonside is located 40 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region. Featherdale Wildlife Park and the...
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Eastern Creek
Eastern Creek, New South Wales
Eastern Creek is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Eastern Creek is located 35 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.Eastern Creek is west of the...
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Emerton
Emerton, New South Wales
Emerton is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Emerton is located 46 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region....
-
Glendenning
Glendenning, New South Wales
Glendenning is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Glendenning is located 44 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.-History:Glendenning was...
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Glenwood
Glenwood, New South Wales
Glenwood is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Glenwood is located 40 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of the City of Blacktown...
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Hassall Grove
Hassall Grove, New South Wales
Hassall Grove is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Hassall Grove is located 46 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.-History:Thomas Hassall a...
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Hebersham
Hebersham, New South Wales
Hebersham is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Hebersham is located 47 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region....
-
Huntingwood
Huntingwood, New South Wales
Huntingwood is a predominantly industrial suburb in the City of Blacktown, in Western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia.The composite name was chosen because the first English-style hunting is said to have taken place here and the 'Woods Estate', owned by the Woods family for...
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Kellyville Ridge
Kellyville Ridge, New South Wales
Kellyville Ridge is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Kellyville Ridge is located 41 kilometres north-west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of City of Blacktown...
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Kings Langley
Kings Langley, New South Wales
Kings Langley is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Kings Langley is located 39 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of the City of Blacktown...
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Kings Park
Kings Park, New South Wales
Kings Park is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Kings Park is located 40 km west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and part of the Greater Western Sydney region....
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Lalor Park
Lalor Park, New South Wales
Lalor Park is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Lalor Park is located 35 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of the City of Blacktown. Lalor Park is part of the Greater Western Sydney region...
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Lethbridge Park
Lethbridge Park, New South Wales
Lethbridge Park is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Lethbridge Park is located 47 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.-History:Lethbridge Park...
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Marayong
Marayong, New South Wales
Marayong is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Marayong is located 38 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region....
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Marsden Park
Marsden Park, New South Wales
Marsden Park is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Marsden Park is located 49 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.-History:The suburbs takes its...
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Minchinbury
Minchinbury, New South Wales
Minchinbury is a suburb in western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Minchinbury is located 39 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.Minchinbury is...
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Mount Druitt
Mount Druitt, New South Wales
Mount Druitt is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Mount Druitt is located 43 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown, and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.There are numerous...
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Oakhurst
Oakhurst, New South Wales
Oakhurst is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Oakhurst is located 46 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region....
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Parklea
Parklea, New South Wales
Parklea is a suburb in the City of Blacktown, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is located approximately 40 kilometers north-west of the Sydney CBD and is a part of Greater Western Sydney...
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Plumpton
Plumpton, New South Wales
Plumpton is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Plumpton is located 46 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region....
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Prospect
Prospect, New South Wales
Prospect is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Prospect is located 32 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region....
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Quakers Hill
Quakers Hill, New South Wales
Quakers Hill is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Quakers Hill is located 40 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown. Quakers Hill is part of the Greater Western Sydney...
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Riverstone
Riverstone, New South Wales
Riverstone is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Riverstone is located 48 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown. Riverstone is part of the Greater Western Sydney region...
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Ropes Crossing
Ropes Crossing, New South Wales
Ropes Crossing is a suburb of Blacktown, Sydney in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Ropes Crossing is located 49 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.-History:Ropes...
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Rouse Hill
Rouse Hill, New South Wales
Rouse Hill is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Rouse Hill is located 42 kilometres north-west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of The Hills Shire...
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Rooty Hill
Rooty Hill, New South Wales
Rooty Hill is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Rooty Hill is located 42 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.-History:Rooty Hill was named after...
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Schofields
Schofields, New South Wales
Schofields is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Schofields is located 45 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown...
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Seven Hills
Seven Hills, New South Wales
Seven Hills is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Seven Hills is located 34 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of the City of Blacktown. Seven Hills is part of the Greater Western Sydney region...
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Shalvey
Shalvey, New South Wales
Shalvey is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Shalvey is located 48 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region....
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Shanes Park
Shanes Park, New South Wales
Shanes Park is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Shanes Park is located 50 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.-History:John Harris came to...
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Stanhope Gardens
Stanhope Gardens, New South Wales
Stanhope Gardens is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Stanhope Gardens is located 39 kilometres north-west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of City of Blacktown...
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The Ponds
The Ponds, New South Wales
The Ponds is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. The Ponds is located 40 kilometres north-west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of the City of Blacktown...
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Toongabbie
Toongabbie, New South Wales
Toongabbie is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Toongabbie is located 30 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region...
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Tregear
Tregear, New South Wales
Tregear is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Tregear is located 46 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region....
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Vineyard
Vineyard, New South Wales
Vineyard is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Vineyard is located 50 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown...
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Whalan
Whalan, New South Wales
Whalan is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Whalan is located 44 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region....
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Willmot
Willmot, New South Wales
Willmot is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Willmot is located 49 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region....
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Woodcroft
Woodcroft, New South Wales
Woodcroft is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Woodcroft is located 42 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region....
Federal Government
At a Federal level, the City of Blacktown encompasses all or parts of the following districts:| Division | Member | Party affiliation | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chifley Division of Chifley -References:*... |
Ed Husic Ed Husic Ed Husic , an Australian federal politician, is a member of the Australian House of Representatives, elected to represent the seat of Chifley in western Sydney for the Australian Labor Party at the 2010 federal election . Husic was raised in Western Sydney and attended Blacktown South Public School... |
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... |
2010 |
| Greenway Division of Greenway The Division of Greenway is anAustralian Electoral Division in New South Wales.The division was created in 1984 and is named for Francis Greenway, an ex-convict who became a prominent architect in colonial Sydney.... |
Michelle Rowland Michelle Rowland Michelle Anne Rowland , an Australian politician, is a member of the Australian House of Representatives for the seat of Greenway representing the Australian Labor Party. At the 2010 Australian federal election, Rowland won the seat for Labor following the 2009 electoral distribution, making... |
Labor | 2010 |
| Parramatta Division of Parramatta The Division of Parramatta is an Australian Electoral Division in New South Wales. The division was created in 1900 and was one of the original 75 divisions contested at the first federal election. It is named for the locality of Parramatta. The name Parramatta has been sourced to an Aboriginal... |
Julie Owens Julie Owens Julie Ann Owens , Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since October 2004, representing the division of Parramatta, New South Wales... |
Labor | 2004 |
| McMahon Division of McMahon The Division of McMahon is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of New South Wales. It is located in the western suburbs of Sydney, and includes the suburbs of Abbotsbury, Blacktown , Bossley Park, Canley Vale, Cecil Park, Eastern Creek, Edensor Park, Erskine Park, Fairfield, Fairfield... |
Chris Bowen Chris Bowen Christopher Eyles "Chris" Bowen , an Australian federal politician, is a member of the Australian House of Representatives, initially elected to represent the seat of Prospect in western Sydney for the Australian Labor Party at the 2004 federal election... |
Labor | 2010 |
SMD
State Government
The City of Blacktown is within the state of New South Wales. As such it is represented in the New South Wales Legislative AssemblyNew South Wales Legislative Assembly
The Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of New South Wales, an Australian state. The other chamber is the Legislative Council. Both the Assembly and Council sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney...
and Legislative Council
New South Wales Legislative Council
The New South Wales Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of the parliament of New South Wales in Australia. The other is the Legislative Assembly. Both sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney. The Assembly is referred to as the lower house and the Council as...
.
In the Legislative Assembly, the City of Blacktown encompasses all or parts of the following electorates:
| Division | Member | Party affiliation | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacktown | John Robertson John Robertson -United Kingdom politicians:* John Robertson , MP for Bothwell, Lanarkshire 1919–1926* John Robertson , British Labour Party MP 1961–1979 for Berwick and Haddington, then Berwick and East Lothian... |
Labor | 2011 |
| Londonderry Electoral district of Londonderry Londonderry is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is represented by Bart Bassett of the Liberal Party of Australia.-Members for Londonderry:-Election results:... |
Bart Bassett Bart Bassett Bart Bassett MP, an Australian politician, is a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing the electorate of Londonderry for the Liberal Party since 26 March 2011... |
Liberal | 2011 |
| Mount Druitt Electoral district of Mount Druitt Mount Druitt is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is a 89.01 km² urban electorate in Sydney's outer west, taking in the suburbs of Mount Druitt, Marsden Park, and Arndell Park. There were 45,408 voters enrolled in time for the 2003... |
Richard Amery Richard Amery Richard Sanderson Amery MP , an Australian politician, is a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Mount Druitt for the Australian Labor Party since 1991... |
Labor | 1991 |
| Riverstone Electoral district of Riverstone Riverstone is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales.It is a 94.30 km² urban and semi-rural electorate in Sydney's north west, taking in the suburbs of Stanhope Gardens, Rouse Hill, Quakers Hill and Riverstone... |
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 | 2011 |
| Toongabbie Electoral district of Toongabbie Toongabbie is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales, created at the 2004 redistribution of electoral districts largely replacing the abolished district of Wentworthville. It was contested for the first time in the 2007 general election... |
Nathan Rees Nathan Rees Nathan Rees MP, , an Australian politician, was the 41st Premier of New South Wales and parliamentary leader of the New South Wales division of the Australian Labor Party from September 2008 to December 2009... |
Labor | 2007 |
Council
Blacktown City Council is composed of fifteen councillors elected proportionally. The city is divided into five wards, each electing three councillors. The mayor is not directly elected. The current makeup of the council is as follows:| Party | Councillors | |
|---|---|---|
| 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... |
8 | |
| 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... |
5 | |
| 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... |
2 | |
| Total | 15 | |
The current council, elected in 2008, is:
| Ward | First Ward | Alan Pendleton | 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... |
Mayor | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Tyrrell | 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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| Allan Green | 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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| Second Ward | Leo Kelly | 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... |
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| Len Robinson | 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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| Julie Griffiths | 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... |
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| Third Ward | Kathie Collins | 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... |
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| Jess Diaz | 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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| Russ Dickens | 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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| Fourth Ward | Stephen Bali | 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... |
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| George Bilic | 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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| Edmond Atalla | 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... |
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| Fifth Ward | Charlie Lowles | 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... |
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| Tony Bleasdale | 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... |
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| Jacqueline Donaldson | 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... |
| Ward | Suburbs |
| First | *Vineyard Vineyard, New South Wales Vineyard is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Vineyard is located 50 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown... , Riverstone Riverstone, New South Wales Riverstone is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Riverstone is located 48 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown. Riverstone is part of the Greater Western Sydney region... , Schofields Schofields, New South Wales Schofields is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Schofields is located 45 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown... , Colebee Colebee, New South Wales Colebee is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Colebee is located 47 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Western Sydney region.-History:... , Dean Park Dean Park, New South Wales Dean Park is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Dean Park is located 43 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Western Sydney region.... , *Parklea Parklea, New South Wales Parklea is a suburb in the City of Blacktown, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is located approximately 40 kilometers north-west of the Sydney CBD and is a part of Greater Western Sydney... , Acacia Gardens Acacia Gardens, New South Wales Acacia Gardens is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Acacia Gardens is located 40 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown... , Stanhope Gardens Stanhope Gardens, New South Wales Stanhope Gardens is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Stanhope Gardens is located 39 kilometres north-west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of City of Blacktown... , Quakers Hill Quakers Hill, New South Wales Quakers Hill is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Quakers Hill is located 40 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown. Quakers Hill is part of the Greater Western Sydney... , *Marsden Park Marsden Park, New South Wales Marsden Park is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Marsden Park is located 49 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.-History:The suburbs takes its... , *Rouse Hill Rouse Hill, New South Wales Rouse Hill is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Rouse Hill is located 42 kilometres north-west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of The Hills Shire... , Kellyville Ridge Kellyville Ridge, New South Wales Kellyville Ridge is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Kellyville Ridge is located 41 kilometres north-west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of City of Blacktown... , The Ponds The Ponds, New South Wales The Ponds is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. The Ponds is located 40 kilometres north-west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of the City of Blacktown... |
| Second | * *Blacktown Blacktown, New South Wales Blacktown is a suburb in the City of Blacktown, in Western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Blacktown is located 34 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre of the local government area of City of Blacktown.Blacktown is the largest... , *Marayong Marayong, New South Wales Marayong is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Marayong is located 38 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.... , Kings Langley Kings Langley, New South Wales Kings Langley is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Kings Langley is located 39 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of the City of Blacktown... , Kings Park Kings Park, New South Wales Kings Park is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Kings Park is located 40 km west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and part of the Greater Western Sydney region.... , Glenwood Glenwood, New South Wales Glenwood is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Glenwood is located 40 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of the City of Blacktown... , Lalor Park Lalor Park, New South Wales Lalor Park is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Lalor Park is located 35 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of the City of Blacktown. Lalor Park is part of the Greater Western Sydney region... , *Seven Hills Seven Hills, New South Wales Seven Hills is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Seven Hills is located 34 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of the City of Blacktown. Seven Hills is part of the Greater Western Sydney region... |
| Third | *Doonside Doonside, New South Wales Doonside is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Doonside is located 40 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region. Featherdale Wildlife Park and the... , *Blacktown Blacktown, New South Wales Blacktown is a suburb in the City of Blacktown, in Western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Blacktown is located 34 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre of the local government area of City of Blacktown.Blacktown is the largest... , *Arndell Park Arndell Park, New South Wales Arndell Park is a predominantly industrial suburb in the City of Blacktown, in Western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Its postcode is 2148.This suburb is managed as a part of the Eastern Creek Area, along with Huntingwood... , *Huntingwood Huntingwood, New South Wales Huntingwood is a predominantly industrial suburb in the City of Blacktown, in Western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia.The composite name was chosen because the first English-style hunting is said to have taken place here and the 'Woods Estate', owned by the Woods family for... , *Prospect Prospect, New South Wales Prospect is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Prospect is located 32 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.... , *Seven Hills Seven Hills, New South Wales Seven Hills is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Seven Hills is located 34 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of the City of Blacktown. Seven Hills is part of the Greater Western Sydney region... , *Toongabbie Toongabbie, New South Wales Toongabbie is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Toongabbie is located 30 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region... |
| Fourth | *Tregear Tregear, New South Wales Tregear is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Tregear is located 46 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.... , *Hebersham Hebersham, New South Wales Hebersham is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Hebersham is located 47 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.... , Whalan Whalan, New South Wales Whalan is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Whalan is located 44 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.... , *Doonside Doonside, New South Wales Doonside is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Doonside is located 40 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region. Featherdale Wildlife Park and the... , *Blacktown Blacktown, New South Wales Blacktown is a suburb in the City of Blacktown, in Western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Blacktown is located 34 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre of the local government area of City of Blacktown.Blacktown is the largest... , *Prospect Prospect, New South Wales Prospect is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Prospect is located 32 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.... , Eastern Creek Eastern Creek, New South Wales Eastern Creek is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Eastern Creek is located 35 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.Eastern Creek is west of the... , Minchinbury Minchinbury, New South Wales Minchinbury is a suburb in western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Minchinbury is located 39 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.Minchinbury is... , Rooty Hill Rooty Hill, New South Wales Rooty Hill is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Rooty Hill is located 42 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.-History:Rooty Hill was named after... , Mount Druitt Mount Druitt, New South Wales Mount Druitt is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Mount Druitt is located 43 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown, and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.There are numerous... , *Plumpton Plumpton, New South Wales Plumpton is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Plumpton is located 46 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.... , *Glendenning Glendenning, New South Wales Glendenning is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Glendenning is located 44 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.-History:Glendenning was... , *Huntingwood Huntingwood, New South Wales Huntingwood is a predominantly industrial suburb in the City of Blacktown, in Western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia.The composite name was chosen because the first English-style hunting is said to have taken place here and the 'Woods Estate', owned by the Woods family for... , *Arndell Park Arndell Park, New South Wales Arndell Park is a predominantly industrial suburb in the City of Blacktown, in Western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Its postcode is 2148.This suburb is managed as a part of the Eastern Creek Area, along with Huntingwood... |
| Fifth | *Marsden Park Marsden Park, New South Wales Marsden Park is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Marsden Park is located 49 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.-History:The suburbs takes its... , Shanes Park Shanes Park, New South Wales Shanes Park is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Shanes Park is located 50 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.-History:John Harris came to... , Willmot Willmot, New South Wales Willmot is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Willmot is located 49 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.... , Shalvey Shalvey, New South Wales Shalvey is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Shalvey is located 48 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.... , Bidwill Bidwill, New South Wales Bidwill is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Bidwill is located 48 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.... , Hassall Grove Hassall Grove, New South Wales Hassall Grove is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Hassall Grove is located 46 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.-History:Thomas Hassall a... , Lethbridge Park Lethbridge Park, New South Wales Lethbridge Park is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Lethbridge Park is located 47 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.-History:Lethbridge Park... , *Tregear Tregear, New South Wales Tregear is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Tregear is located 46 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.... , Blackett Blackett, New South Wales Blackett is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Blackett is located 48 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.... , Emerton Emerton, New South Wales Emerton is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Emerton is located 46 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.... , Dharruk Dharruk, New South Wales Dharruk is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Dharruk is located 46 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.... , *Hebersham Hebersham, New South Wales Hebersham is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Hebersham is located 47 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.... , Oakhurst Oakhurst, New South Wales Oakhurst is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Oakhurst is located 46 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.... , *Plumpton Plumpton, New South Wales Plumpton is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Plumpton is located 46 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.... , *Glendenning Glendenning, New South Wales Glendenning is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Glendenning is located 44 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.-History:Glendenning was... |
As of the 2007 social plan, the council has been divided into three regions
North (Glenwood, Stanhope Gardens, Kellyville Ridge, Rouse Hill, The Ponds, Riverstone, Schofields, Parklea, Marsden Park, Shanes Park, Colebee, Quakers Hill, Acacia Gardens, Vineyard)
East (Blacktown, Seven Hills, Lalor Park, Toongabbie, Arndell Park, Kings Langley, Marayong, Kings Park, Huntingwood, Prospect, Doonside)
West (Plumpton, Willmot, Mount Druitt, Rooty Hill, Oakhurst, Tregear, Emerton, Dharruk, Hebersham, Glendenning, Dean Park, Whalan, Minchinbury, Bidwill, Blackett, Lethbridge Park
These regions will be used for social planning in the future.
Heraldic Coat of Arms
After becoming a city in 1979, the city council resolved to investigate and if possible obtain a coat of arms.The device features:
- In the centre, a generic profile of an Australian AboriginalIndigenous AustraliansIndigenous Australians are the original inhabitants of the Australian continent and nearby islands. The Aboriginal Indigenous Australians migrated from the Indian continent around 75,000 to 100,000 years ago....
- a KangarooKangarooA kangaroo is a marsupial from the family Macropodidae . In common use the term is used to describe the largest species from this family, especially those of the genus Macropus, Red Kangaroo, Antilopine Kangaroo, Eastern Grey Kangaroo and Western Grey Kangaroo. Kangaroos are endemic to the country...
, kookaburraKookaburraKookaburras are terrestrial kingfishers native to Australia and New Guinea. They are large to very large, with a total length of . The name is a loanword from Wiradjuri guuguubarra, and is onomatopoeic of its call...
and wattleAcaciaAcacia is a genus of shrubs and trees belonging to the subfamily Mimosoideae of the family Fabaceae, first described in Africa by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1773. Many non-Australian species tend to be thorny, whereas the majority of Australian acacias are not...
boughs, representing the flora and fauna of the region - a BrumbyBrumbyA Brumby is a free-roaming feral horse in Australia. Although found in many areas around the country, the best-known brumbies are found in the Australian Alps region in south-eastern Australia. Today, most of them are found in the Northern Territory, with the second largest population in Queensland...
, signifying early industry in the area (breeding horses, and capturing wild horses) - the motto, Progress
For a picture of the coat of arms see Council's website.
Growth and Development
Over the last several decades, Blacktown's growth has been sustained and rapid, contributing to its present status as the most populous City in New South WalesNew 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...
, the third largest in Australia behind Brisbane City and the Gold Coast
Gold Coast, Queensland
Gold Coast is a coastal city of Australia located in South East Queensland, 94km south of the state capital Brisbane. With a population approximately 540,000 in 2010, it is the second most populous city in the state, the sixth most populous city in the country, and also the most populous...
and the eighth fastest growing City in Australia.
Large scale urban development has contributed to Blacktown's continued population growth and to the development of new estate areas which has led to the establishment of 45 suburbs to date. Blacktown therefore encompasses a mix of older established areas and new developing areas.
Blacktown's diverse land use also continues to attract developers and retailers to the largest quantity of zoned and serviced industrial
Industry
Industry refers to the production of an economic good or service within an economy.-Industrial sectors:There are four key industrial economic sectors: the primary sector, largely raw material extraction industries such as mining and farming; the secondary sector, involving refining, construction,...
and commercial
Commerce
While business refers to the value-creating activities of an organization for profit, commerce means the whole system of an economy that constitutes an environment for business. The system includes legal, economic, political, social, cultural, and technological systems that are in operation in any...
land throughout NSW.
Blacktown's Central Business District
Central business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
/City Centre provides residents with numerous shopping facilities and services and is the Commercial Centre for government departments and local business. This includes a court house, police station, shared State Government Office building, and the Westpoint shopping mall.
Culture and Diversity
In addition to being large, Blacktown's population is culturally and linguistically diverse with over 50 Countries and 63 Languages represented within the community.Blacktown City is youthful, with over half the population (117,179 persons or 50.5%) under 30 years of age. This age category increased by 4.4% between 1991-1996. But as it is youthful, it is also growing older, with a much higher increase in the 50 years and over population of 13.3% between 1991-1996.
The largest ethnic group is Filipino, which comes to 25% of Blacktown's population.
The City of Blacktown Council operates five libraries throughout the area, the central Max Webber Library located in the Blacktown CBD adjacent to Westpoint Shopping Centre. The other branches are at Lalor Park, Mount Druitt, Riverstone and Stanhope Gardens.
Transport
Access into and out of Blacktown is provided by the transport links including the Western railway lineWestern railway line, Sydney
The Western Line is part of the CityRail metropolitan rail network in Sydney, and is the suburban section of the Main West line which connects Sydney with the west of New South Wales. It connects the Sydney CBD to the employment centre of Parramatta and the outer western suburbs, terminating at Emu...
between 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...
, Penrith
Penrith, New South Wales
Penrith is a suburb in western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Penrith is located west of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre for the local government area of the City of Penrith...
and 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...
; the Great Western Highway
Great Western Highway
The Great Western Highway is a highway in New South Wales, Australia. It runs 210 km from Sydney to Bathurst.Starting as Broadway at the intersection of City Road near the fringe of the Sydney CBD, and becoming Parramatta Road to Parramatta itself, the Great Western Highway heads due west from...
, Richmond Road
Richmond Road
Richmond Road can refer to any of the following:* Richmond Road, Adelaide - a continuation of Greenhill Road, Adelaide, South Australia* Richmond Road * Richmond Road, Kentucky - An historic road name still used as the name for a segment of U.S...
; plus the M2
Metroad 2
Metroad 2 is a Metroad in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It links Windsor to Artarmon.-Route Information:* Extremities: Lane Cove Tunnel at Artarmon to Windsor* Approximate length: 53 km...
, M4
Metroad 4
Metroad 4 is a Metroad in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It connects the inner-west of Sydney with the outer western suburbs. It mostly follows what was previously National Highway 32 from the Western Distributor in the CBD, west to the Great Western Highway at Lapstone...
, and M7
Westlink M7
Westlink M7 - formerly Western Sydney Orbital - is one of Sydney, Australia's urban motorways and a part of Metroad 7 and the Sydney Orbital Network. It connects three Metroads: M5 at Prestons, M4 at Eastern Creek and M2 at Baulkham Hills...
Motorways. There are 1,019 km of local roads and 100 km of Regional roads within Blacktown.
The Blacktown railway station is an interconnecting station for the Countrylink services between Dubbo and the country terminal in the Sydney CBD
Central railway station, Sydney
Central Railway Station, the largest railway station in Australia, is at the southern end of the Sydney CBD. It services almost all the lines on the CityRail network, and is the major terminus for interurban and interstate rail services...
.It is also a bus interchange utilised by Westbus and Busways transport operators providing connection to local suburbs not directly linked by rail.
These private bus companies offer interconnection services between many of the railway stations within the City of Blacktown and beyond, extending the reach of public transport along the main road corridors of the Great Western Highway, Prospect Highway, Richmond Road, Windsor Road and other major roads throughout the area.
Cycling is being increasingly catered for throughout the city. The council has a published map showing over 65 km of existing cycleway (including some cycleways on shared roads), however there are extensive biking and walking tracks which are not included on that map http://www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/our-city/access-around-the-city/access-around-the-city_home.cfm.
Blacktown City Council proposes that by December 2006 there will be 125 km of cycleways assisting in providing safe bicycle access throughout the city. This does not include recreational cycleways such as those in the various parks and gardens throughout the area.
Natural Environment
Eastern Creek, Ropes Creek, South Creek, and Prospect CreekProspect Creek (New South Wales)
Prospect Creek is a small creek in south-western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It flows from the Prospect reservoir for about 17 km until joining the Georges River at Georges Hall into the Dhurawal bay, in the Chipping Norton Lake system.As the reservoir forms a part of the...
provide a natural buffer between areas of urban development.
A total of eight creeks and tributaries form part of the two major catchments
Drainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
of the area including the Nepean Hawkesbury Catchment and the Upper Parramatta River Catchment.
Tourist Attractions
Some popular tourist attractions in Blacktown include Featherdale Wildlife Park and Wonderland Theme ParkWonderland Sydney
Wonderland Sydney was a theme park in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The park was the largest one in the southern hemisphere. It remained open for almost nineteen years and was the premier theme park in New South Wales for much of its life, but it closed in 2004...
, before it was closed down in 2004. Westpoint Shopping Centre
Westpoint Blacktown
Westpoint Blacktown is a large shopping centre situated in Blacktown that is owned by QIC. It was recently renovated and expanded, making it one of the biggest shopping centres in Western Sydney. Boasting a contemporary shopping experience, and state of the art facilities, the centre serves as a...
is also a popular place for local residents of Blacktown. One of its cinemas has the largest standard cinema screen in Australia.
Blacktown has one of the two remaining Drive-in Theatres
Australian Open Drive-in Theatres
Drive-in theatres were once very popular in Australia. Although considered an American invention there is evidence of outdoor cinemas in Western Australia where some patrons attended in their cars as far back as 1938, and it is possible that these facilities may even predate the first American...
in Sydney. Every Sunday morning the Blacktown Markets takes place on the grounds of the Drive-In.
History
A school for Aborigines was moved in 1823 from ParramattaParramatta, New South Wales
Parramatta is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is located in Greater Western Sydney west of the Sydney central business district on the banks of the Parramatta River. Parramatta is the administrative seat of the Local Government Area of the City of Parramatta...
to the now abandoned tower near the site where Richmond Road meets Rooty Hill Road North (this intersection is now in the suburbs of Hassall Grove
Hassall Grove, New South Wales
Hassall Grove is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Hassall Grove is located 46 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.-History:Thomas Hassall a...
, Glendenning
Glendenning, New South Wales
Glendenning is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Glendenning is located 44 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.-History:Glendenning was...
and Quakers Hill
Quakers Hill, New South Wales
Quakers Hill is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Quakers Hill is located 40 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown. Quakers Hill is part of the Greater Western Sydney...
http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&om=1&ll=-33.734369,150.847607&spn=0.017131,0.028925). The road from Prospect
Prospect, New South Wales
Prospect is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Prospect is located 32 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region....
to 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...
became known as the Black Town Road
Blacktown Road, Sydney
Blacktown Road is a secondary road which links the City of Blacktown to the M4 motorway in Sydney, Australia adjacent to the Great Western Highway....
. In 1860 the Railway Department gave the name of Black Town Road Station to the railway station at the junction of the railway and the Black Town Road, with the name shortening to Blacktown by 1862.
Today, the City of Blacktown continues to be home to a large Aboriginal population; the largest Aboriginal population of any metropolitan local government area. It has a large population of recent migrants to Australia. Blacktown is also the largest of any suburb or township in New South Wales
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...
.
It is the birthplace of actress Toni Collette
Toni Collette
Antonia "Toni" Collette is an Australian actress and musician, known for her acting work on stage, television and film as well as a secondary career as the lead singer of the band Toni Collette & the Finish....
.
Key Facts
- One in every seventy-four Australians is a resident of Blacktown
- Blacktown is still the most populous Local Government Area in NSW.
- Blacktown City recorded the eighth largest increase in resident population in Australia in the Intercensal Period (1991–1996) & the second largest in NSW with an increase of 20,548 persons, average annual growth rate of 1.9%. In numbers, this represented an increase of 4,000 persons per annum.
- Between the Intercensal period (1991–1996), Blacktown City accounted for just over 6% of the overall population of Sydney but more than 10% of its population growth.
- Blacktown's population comprises 15% of Western Sydney's total population.
- Blacktown City has the largest Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander population in the State with a total population of 5,240 persons.
- Over 57,000 residents (27.2%) in Blacktown aged 5 years & over speak a language other than English.
- The number of overseas arrivals in the period August 1991 - February 1996 was 5,888 persons. Almost 96% were from a Non English Speaking Background Country with the highest proportion arriving from the Philippines (25%) followed by China (7%), Fiji (6.8) & Yugoslavia (6.7%).
- Over 97,000 Blacktown residents (42%) are under the age of 25 years. 13.6% (31,457) are over the age of 55 years.
- One quarter of the population (26%) are of dependent age (under 14 years). This represents over 60,800 persons.
- Almost 55% of two parent families have dependent children of 14 years and under. 51% of all single parent families also dependent children under 14 years of age.
- 89% of residents live in detached housing
- On average, Blacktown's weekly household consumption expenditure of $742.35 is higher than the State average of $674.32. (ABS Regional Profile 1998)
- Blacktown City has the largest stock of zoned & serviced industrial land in Sydney.
Sister Cities
Blacktown City Council has sister city relations with the following cities:Porirua
Porirua
Porirua is a city in the Wellington Region of New Zealand, immediately north of the city of Wellington, with their central business districts 20 km apart. A large proportion of the population commutes to Wellington, so it may be considered a satellite city. It almost completely surrounds...
, New Zealand, since 1984 Suseong-gu, Daegu, South Korea, since 1994 Liaocheng
Liaocheng
Liaocheng , also known as the Water City, is a prefecture-level city in western Shandong province, People's Republic of China. It borders the provincial capital of Jinan to the southeast, Dezhou to the northeast, Tai'an to the south, and the province of Hebei and Henan to the west...
, China, since 2003 Liverpool Plains, Australia, since 2005
External links
- City of Blacktown's website
- 2001 Census Information
- VisitBlacktown.com - Information on Tourist Attractions in Blacktown