City of Williamstown
Encyclopedia
The City of Williamstown was a Local Government Area located about 10 kilometres (6 mi) southwest of Melbourne
, the state capital of Victoria
, Australia
. The city covered an area of 14.5 square kilometres (5.6 sq mi), and existed from 1919 until 1994.
on 14 March 1856. It became a town on 2 April 1886, and was proclaimed a City on 17 May 1919. In May 1962, it annexed 83 hectares (205 acre) from the Shire of Altona
.
On 15 December 1994, along with nearly all other councils in Victoria, the City of Williamstown was abolished and merged into the newly-created City of Hobsons Bay
along with the City of Altona
and a couple of small neighbouring areas.
, which was officially opened in 1927. The facility is still used for council meetings by the City of Hobsons Bay
, although not as much as its Altona counterpart.
At dissolution, each ward elected three councillors.
* Estimate in the 1958 Victorian Year Book.
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 14.5 square kilometres (5.6 sq mi), and existed from 1919 until 1994.
History
Williamstown was first incorporated as a boroughBorough
A borough is an administrative division in various countries. In principle, the term borough designates a self-governing township although, in practice, official use of the term varies widely....
on 14 March 1856. It became a town on 2 April 1886, and was proclaimed a City on 17 May 1919. In May 1962, it annexed 83 hectares (205 acre) from the Shire of Altona
City of Altona
The City of Altona was a Local Government Area located about west of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The city covered an area of , and existed from 1957 until 1994.-History:...
.
On 15 December 1994, along with nearly all other councils in Victoria, the City of Williamstown was abolished and merged into the newly-created City of Hobsons Bay
City of Hobsons Bay
The City of Hobsons Bay is a Local Government Area in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It comprises the south-western suburbs between 6 and 20 km from the Melbourne city centre....
along with the City of Altona
City of Altona
The City of Altona was a Local Government Area located about west of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The city covered an area of , and existed from 1957 until 1994.-History:...
and a couple of small neighbouring areas.
Town Hall
Council meetings were held in a variety of locations in Williamstown until a permanent home was constructed. In its early years, the council met at the Police Court as well as a rented property in Nelson Place and later at the newly-erected Court House. In 1869 the council took over the Town Hall in Thompson Street, finally moving to the purpose-built municipal building in Ferguson Street, known as Williamstown Town HallWilliamstown Town Hall
Williamstown Town Hall is a civic building located in Williamstown, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia.The hall was built in the 1920s in the Greek revival style, and opened officially in 1927 ....
, which was officially opened in 1927. The facility is still used for council meetings by the City of Hobsons Bay
City of Hobsons Bay
The City of Hobsons Bay is a Local Government Area in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It comprises the south-western suburbs between 6 and 20 km from the Melbourne city centre....
, although not as much as its Altona counterpart.
Electricity supply
Commencing in 1916, the municipality ran its own electricity supply utility for a number of years, the first customer being connected in July, 1917. After six months in operation, it had around 400 customers, increasing to around 5,600 by 1934.Wards
On 28 October 1887, the City of Williamstown was subdivided into four wards:- South Ward
- North Ward
- Centre Ward
- Victoria Ward
At dissolution, each ward elected three councillors.
Suburbs
- NewportNewport, VictoriaNewport is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 7 km south-west from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Hobsons Bay. At the 2006 Census, Newport had a population of 11,244.-History:...
- SpotswoodSpotswood, VictoriaSpotswood is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 7 km south-west from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Hobsons Bay...
(shared with City of FootscrayCity of FootscrayThe City of Footscray was a Local Government Area located about west of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The city covered an area of , and existed from 1859 until 1994.-History:...
) - WilliamstownWilliamstown, VictoriaWilliamstown is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 8 km south-west from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Hobsons Bay. At the 2006 Census, Williamstown had a population of 12,733....
- Williamstown NorthWilliamstown North, VictoriaWilliamstown North is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 7 km south-west from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Hobsons Bay...
Population
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1954 | 29,313 |
| 1958 | 31,100* |
| 1961 | 30,962 |
| 1966 | 30,416 |
| 1971 | 30,055 |
| 1976 | 26,427 |
| 1981 | 25,554 |
| 1986 | 23,287 |
| 1991 | 25,947 |
* Estimate in the 1958 Victorian Year Book.