City of Geraldton

This article is about a former local government area in Western Australia. For its replacement, see City of Geraldton-Greenough.

City of Geraldton (former) Western Australia
Location in Western Australia
Population:	20,333(2007)[1]
Established:	1871
Abolished:	2007
Area:	46.3 km² (17.9 sq mi)
Mayor:	Vickie Petersen
Council Seat:	Geraldton
Region:	Mid West
State District:	Geraldton
Federal Division:	O'Connor
LGAs around City of Geraldton (former): Indian Ocean Chapman Valley Greenough Indian Ocean City of Geraldton (former) Greenough Indian Ocean Greenough Greenough

The City of Geraldton was a Local Government Area in the Mid West region of Western Australia, 424 kilometres (263 mi) north of the state capital, Perth on the Indian Ocean. The City covered an area of 46.3 square kilometres (17.9 sq mi), and its seat of government was the town of Geraldton.

The council amalgamated with the Shire of Greenough, which contained Geraldton's industrial and outer suburban areas, in 2007 to form the City of Geraldton-Greenough. The area is now, as of 1 July 2011, part of the City of Greater Geraldton.

History

Geraldton was gazetted as a municipal district in 1871. On 1 July 1961, it became a Town following the enactment of the Local Government Act 1960. On 22 April 1988, Geraldton attained City status.^[2]

Amalgamation

A recommendation was made to the Minister for Local Government by the Local Government Advisory Board in August 2006 to amalgamate the City of Geraldton with the neighbouring Shire of Greenough.

The Greenough electors successfully petitioned for a referendum to determine whether amalgamation should proceed. This was held on 2 December 2006, and with a participation rate of 28.74%, a majority of 80% voted against the proposal.^[3] However, under the Local Government Act 1995 (clause 10 of Schedule 2.1) as the vote did not attract 50% of registered voters, it did not meet the requirements for a valid poll.^[4]

The councillors of both local government authorities resigned at the end of April 2007, and the first elections were held in October 2007.

Wards

The City had not been divided into wards since the 1970s, and the 12 councillors represented all residents. The mayor was directly elected.

Suburbs

• Beachlands
• Beresford
• Bluff Point
• Geraldton
• Mahomets Flats
• Mount Tarcoola (split with Shire of Greenough)
• Rangeway
• Spalding
• Sunset Beach
• Utakarra (split with Shire of Greenough)
• Webberton
• West End
• Wonthella

Mayors

Main article: List of mayors of Geraldton

Population

Year	Population
1921	4,174
1933	4,984
1947	5,972
1954	8,309
1961	10,894
1966	12,125
1971	15,118
1976	17,663
1981	19,096
1986	19,923
1991	20,521
1996	19,724
2001	19,179
2006	18,916

References

1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 March 2008). "Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2007–08 - Western Australia". http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Products/3218.0~2006-07~Main+Features~Western+Australia?OpenDocument. Retrieved 11 October 2009. 
2. ^ WA Electoral Commission, Municipality Boundary Amendments Register (release 2.0), 31 May 2003.
3. ^ Western Australian Electoral Commission (2 December 2006). "Greenough - Voting In Person Referendum". Archived from the original on 2007-08-30. http://web.archive.org/web/20070830011637/http://www.waec.wa.gov.au/local/wards.asp?agencyid=66&electdate=2-Dec-2006&electionid=241. Retrieved 2007-04-28. 
4. ^ Local Government Advisory Board (December 2006). "Inquiry Reports - Geraldton Greenough Inquiry Report". http://www.dlgrd.wa.gov.au/LocalGovt/AdvisoryBoard/inquiryReports.asp. Retrieved 2007-04-28. 

Coordinates: 28°46′44″S 114°36′25″E / 28.779°S 114.607°E / -28.779; 114.607