City of Broadmeadows
Encyclopedia
The City of Broadmeadows was a Local Government Area located about 20 kilometres (12 mi) north of Melbourne
, the state capital of Victoria
, Australia
. The city covered an area of 63.65 square kilometres (24.58 sq mi), and existed from 1857 until 1994.
On 1 October 1915, as part of a series of adjustments of local government boundaries in Victoria, Broadmeadows briefly absorbed Merriang Shire, a 312 square kilometres (120 sq mi) area including the towns of Kalkallo
, Donnybrook
and Wallan
and dating from 1863. Many of these areas were transferred to the Shire of Romsey
on 31 May 1916.
With the arrival of reticulated water, electricity and electrified rail in the 1920s, the southern part of the Shire was opened up to residential development—however, the Great Depression
reduced the demand for new housing, and small farms and derelict subdivisions were major features of the landscape. The Australian Blue Book described the shire in 1949 as "comprising general farming and grazing country which stretches in a narrow strip northward from the northern suburbs of Melbourne", noting that southern areas adjoining Coburg and Essendon were "becoming definitely residential, but in other parts grazing, dairying, poultry farming and hay and grain growing is still going on".
In 1951, the Housing Commission of Victoria
resumed 2270 hectares (5,609.3 acre) of land near Broadmeadows
, and while construction proceeded at a reasonable pace, shopping and other facilities lagged behind. In the process of developing the area, it was decided to sever the rural parts north of Somerton Road from the Shire, and in 1955, parts of the Shire of Broadmeadows were severed and annexed to the Shires of Bulla
, Whittlesea
and Kilmore
. While only 600 people were affected by the move, it represented most of Broadmeadows's land area to that point. On 30 May 1956, Broadmeadows was proclaimed a City.
On 1 October 1979, the areas of Strathmore
and Strathmore Heights
were transferred to the City of Essendon
- a loss of 5.76 square kilometres (2.22 sq mi).
On 15 December 1994, along with nearly all other councils in Victoria, the City of Broadmeadows was abolished. The last mayor of the City of Broadmeadows was Cr. Dorothy (Dot) White. Suburbs south of the Western Ring Road merged with Coburg
and Brunswick
to form the City of Moreland
, while suburbs north of the Western Ring Road merged with the Shire of Bulla
to form the City of Hume
.
In its final years, the council met at the Broadmeadows Town Hall at Pearcedale Parade and Dimboola Road, Broadmeadows
. The facility is still used today by the City of Hume
.
South:
* Suburbs gazetted since the amalgamation.
* Estimate in the 1958 Victorian Year Book.
+ The area annexed to City of Essendon
in 1979 contained 8,892 people, so the net figure is 99,852.
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, the state capital of Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The city covered an area of 63.65 square kilometres (24.58 sq mi), and existed from 1857 until 1994.
History
Broadmeadows was first incorporated as a district on 27 November 1857. It became a Shire on 27 January 1871.On 1 October 1915, as part of a series of adjustments of local government boundaries in Victoria, Broadmeadows briefly absorbed Merriang Shire, a 312 square kilometres (120 sq mi) area including the towns of Kalkallo
Kalkallo, Victoria
Kalkallo is a town in Victoria, Australia, 33 km north from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Hume....
, Donnybrook
Donnybrook, Victoria
Donnybrook is a bounded rural locality in Victoria, Australia. Its Local Government Area is the City of Whittlesea.It is bounded to the west by Merri Creek and in the east by Darebin Creek.-History:...
and Wallan
Wallan, Victoria
Wallan or Wallan Wallan is a town in Victoria, from Melbourne on the Northern Highway in Australia.The town sits at the southern end of the large and diverse Shire of Mitchell which extends from the northern fringes of Melbourne into the farming country of north-central Victoria and the lower...
and dating from 1863. Many of these areas were transferred to the Shire of Romsey
Shire of Romsey
The Shire of Romsey was a Local Government Area located about north-northwest of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed from 1862 until 1995.-History:...
on 31 May 1916.
With the arrival of reticulated water, electricity and electrified rail in the 1920s, the southern part of the Shire was opened up to residential development—however, the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
reduced the demand for new housing, and small farms and derelict subdivisions were major features of the landscape. The Australian Blue Book described the shire in 1949 as "comprising general farming and grazing country which stretches in a narrow strip northward from the northern suburbs of Melbourne", noting that southern areas adjoining Coburg and Essendon were "becoming definitely residential, but in other parts grazing, dairying, poultry farming and hay and grain growing is still going on".
In 1951, the Housing Commission of Victoria
Housing Commission of Victoria
The Housing Commission of Victoria was a State Government body responsible for public housing in Victoria, Australia...
resumed 2270 hectares (5,609.3 acre) of land near Broadmeadows
Broadmeadows, Victoria
Broadmeadows is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 16 km north from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Hume...
, and while construction proceeded at a reasonable pace, shopping and other facilities lagged behind. In the process of developing the area, it was decided to sever the rural parts north of Somerton Road from the Shire, and in 1955, parts of the Shire of Broadmeadows were severed and annexed to the Shires of Bulla
Shire of Bulla
The Shire of Bulla was a Local Government Area located about northwest of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed from 1862 until 1994.-History:...
, Whittlesea
City of Whittlesea
The City of Whittlesea is a Local Government Area located in the outer northeastern suburbs of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The city covers an area of , and has an estimated population of 155,113 people.-History:...
and Kilmore
Shire of Kilmore
The Shire of Kilmore was a Local Government Area located about north of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed from 1856 until 1995.-History:...
. While only 600 people were affected by the move, it represented most of Broadmeadows's land area to that point. On 30 May 1956, Broadmeadows was proclaimed a City.
On 1 October 1979, the areas of Strathmore
Strathmore, Victoria
Strathmore is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 11 km north-west from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Moonee Valley...
and Strathmore Heights
Strathmore Heights, Victoria
Strathmore Heights is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 14 km north-west from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Moonee Valley...
were transferred to the City of Essendon
City of Essendon
The City of Essendon was a Local Government Area located about northwest of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The city covered an area of , and existed from 1861 until 1994.-History:...
- a loss of 5.76 square kilometres (2.22 sq mi).
On 15 December 1994, along with nearly all other councils in Victoria, the City of Broadmeadows was abolished. The last mayor of the City of Broadmeadows was Cr. Dorothy (Dot) White. Suburbs south of the Western Ring Road merged with Coburg
City of Coburg
The City of Coburg was a Local Government Area located about north of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The city covered an area of , and existed from 1859 until 1994.-History:...
and Brunswick
City of Brunswick
The City of Brunswick is the name of a former Local Government Area in the inner-northern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It comprised the suburbs of Brunswick, Brunswick East and West Brunswick...
to form the City of Moreland
City of Moreland
The City of Moreland is a Local Government Area located within the metropolitan area of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It comprises the inner northern suburbs between 4 and 10 kilometres from the Melbourne city centre....
, while suburbs north of the Western Ring Road merged with the Shire of Bulla
Shire of Bulla
The Shire of Bulla was a Local Government Area located about northwest of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed from 1862 until 1994.-History:...
to form the City of Hume
City of Hume
The City of Hume is a Local Government Area located partially within the metropolitan area of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It includes outer north-western suburbs and a number of rural localities between 13 and 40 kilometres from the Melbourne city centre....
.
In its final years, the council met at the Broadmeadows Town Hall at Pearcedale Parade and Dimboola Road, Broadmeadows
Broadmeadows, Victoria
Broadmeadows is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 16 km north from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Hume...
. The facility is still used today by the City of Hume
City of Hume
The City of Hume is a Local Government Area located partially within the metropolitan area of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It includes outer north-western suburbs and a number of rural localities between 13 and 40 kilometres from the Melbourne city centre....
.
Wards
On 1 April 1988, the City of Broadmeadows was subdivided into four wards, each of which elected three councillors:- Broadmeadows Ward
- Fawkner Ward
- Glenroy Ward
- Somerton Ward
Suburbs
North:- BroadmeadowsBroadmeadows, VictoriaBroadmeadows is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 16 km north from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Hume...
- CampbellfieldCampbellfield, VictoriaCampbellfield is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 16 km north from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Hume. At the 2006 Census, Campbellfield had a population of 5,401.-History:...
- CoolarooCoolaroo, VictoriaCoolaroo is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 19 km north from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Hume. At the 2006 Census, Coolaroo had a population of 3,095....
- DallasDallas, VictoriaDallas is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 18 km north from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Hume. At the 2006 Census, Dallas had a population of 5,847....
* - Gladstone ParkGladstone Park, VictoriaGladstone Park is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 15 km north-west from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Hume. At the 2006 Census, Gladstone Park had a population of 8669...
* - JacanaJacana, VictoriaJacana is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 16 km north from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Hume...
* - Meadow HeightsMeadow Heights, VictoriaMeadow Heights is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 18 km north from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Hume...
* - TullamarineTullamarine, VictoriaTullamarine is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 17 km north-west from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area are the Cities of Hume, Brimbank and Moreland. At the 2006 Census, Tullamarine had a population of 6,541....
(shared with City of KeilorCity of KeilorThe City of Keilor was a Local Government Area located about northwest of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The city covered an area of , and existed from 1863 until 1994.-History:...
) - WestmeadowsWestmeadows, VictoriaWestmeadows is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 17 km north from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Hume. At the 2006 Census, Westmeadows had a population of 5,857....
South:
- FawknerFawkner, VictoriaFawkner is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 12 km north from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Moreland...
- GlenroyGlenroy, VictoriaGlenroy is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 13 km north from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Moreland...
- GowanbraeGowanbrae, VictoriaGowanbrae is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 13 km north-west from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Moreland...
* - HadfieldHadfield, VictoriaHadfield is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 13 km north from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Moreland. At the 2006 Census, Hadfield had a population of 5151....
- Oak ParkOak Park, VictoriaOak Park is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 11 km north of Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Moreland...
* - Pascoe ValePascoe Vale, VictoriaPascoe Vale is a western suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 10 km north from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Moreland. At the 2006 Census, Pascoe Vale had a population of 13,558.- History :...
(shared with City of CoburgCity of CoburgThe City of Coburg was a Local Government Area located about north of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The city covered an area of , and existed from 1859 until 1994.-History:...
)
* Suburbs gazetted since the amalgamation.
Population
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1903 | 1,300 |
| 1911 | 2,100 |
| 1947 | 8,971 |
| 1954 | 23,065 |
| 1958 | 43,400* |
| 1961 | 66,306 |
| 1966 | 87,891 |
| 1971 | 101,100 |
| 1976 | 108,744+ |
| 1981 | 103,540 |
| 1986 | 101,144 |
| 1991 | 102,996 |
* Estimate in the 1958 Victorian Year Book.
+ The area annexed to City of Essendon
City of Essendon
The City of Essendon was a Local Government Area located about northwest of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The city covered an area of , and existed from 1861 until 1994.-History:...
in 1979 contained 8,892 people, so the net figure is 99,852.
Mayors (Incomplete)
- 1989-90 R. Kerr
- 1990-91 J. Mallia
- 1991-92 M. Stone
- 1992-93 K.P. Sheahan
- 1993-94 A.A. Simic
- 1994-95 D. White