Local government areas of New South Wales

This is a list of local government areas (LGAs) in New South Wales, sorted by region. As of September 2024 there were 128 local government areas in New South Wales, there are 33 local government areas in Greater Sydney and 95 local government areas amongst 12 regions of Regional New South Wales. All councils are listed below in alphabetical order by region. There is also the Unincorporated Far West Region which is not part of any local government area, in the sparsely inhabited Far West, and Lord Howe Island, which is also unincorporated but self-governed by the Lord Howe Island Board.

Norfolk Island Regional Council is also subject to the state-level legislation of New South Wales.

Local elections are held in New South Wales every four years. The most recent elections were held in September 2024.

Maps

Metropolitan LGAs

Greater Sydney

Local government area Date established Area Population Map Council Seat
Borough / District / Municipality / Shire City km2 sq mi Rank 2018 Rank
Metropolitan Sydney Local Government Areas
Bayside Council 13 January 1871 (1871-01-13) (as Rockdale Municipality)
29 March 1888 (1888-03-29) (as Borough of Botany)
9 September 2016 (2016-09-09) 50 19 113 174,378 15 Rockdale Town Hall
Blacktown City Council 6 March 1906 (Shire) 7 March 1979 (1979-03-07) 240 93 103 366,534 2 Blacktown
Burwood, Municipality of 27 March 1874 n/a 7.1 2.7 127 39,886 54 Burwood
Camden Council 6 February 1889 n/a 201 78 104 94,159 27 Oran Park
Campbelltown, City of 21 January 1882 4 May 1968 (1968-05-04) 312 120 97 168,139 17 Campbelltown
Canada Bay, City of 11 August 1883 (Municipal District of Concord)
18 January 1890 (Borough of Drummoyne)
December 2000 (2000-12) 20 7.7 120 95,159 26 Drummoyne
Canterbury-Bankstown, City of 17 March 1879 (1879-03-17) (Municipal District of Canterbury)
7 September 1895 (1895-09-07) (Municipal District of Bankstown)
12 May 2016 (2016-05-12) 110 42 108 373,931 1 Bankstown
Cumberland City Council 9 July 1872 (1872-07-09)
(as the Prospect and Sherwood Municipal District)
12 May 2016 (2016-05-12) 72 28 112 236,893 7 Merrylands
Fairfield City Council 11 December 1888 (1888-12-11)
(as the Smithfield and Fairfield Municipal District)
18 May 1979 (1979-05-18) 102 39 109 210,612 11 Wakeley
Georges River Council 22 December 1885 (1885-12-22) (as the Kogarah Municipality)
25 March 1887 (1887-03-25)
(Municipal District of Hurstville)
12 May 2016 (2016-05-12) 38 15 115 158,411 19 Hurstville
Hornsby Shire 6 March 1906 (1906-03-06) n/a 455 176 92 150,752 21 Hornsby
Hunter's Hill, Municipality of 7 January 1861 n/a 5.7 2.2 128 14,909 76 Hunters Hill
Inner West Council 1 November 1861 (1861-11-01) (Municipality of Marrickville)
28 December 1871 (1871-12-28) (Borough of Ashfield)
29 December 1871 (1871-12-29) (Municipal District of Leichhardt)
12 May 2016 (2016-05-12) 35 14 117 198,024 14 Ashfield, Leichhardt, Petersham
Ku-ring-gai Council 1906 (Shire) 1928 (Municipality) n/a 85 33 110 126,046 23 Gordon
Lane Cove Council 11 February 1895 (Borough of Lane Cove) n/a 11 4.2 123 39,486 59 Lane Cove
Liverpool, City of 27 June 1872 (1872-06-27) (Municipal District) 9 November 1960 (1960-11-09) 306 118 99 223,304 9 Liverpool
Mosman Council 11 April 1893 (as Borough of Mosman) n/a 8.7 3.4 126 30,877 59 Mosman
North Sydney Council 31 July 1890 (as Borough of North Sydney) n/a 11 4.2 123 74,172 34 North Sydney Council Chambers
Northern Beaches Council 6 January 1877 (1877-01-06) (Manly Municipality)
7 March 1906 (1906-03-07) (as Warringah Shire)
1 May 1992 (1992-05-01) (as Pittwater Municipality)
12 May 2016 (2016-05-12) 254 98 102 271,278 4 Dee Why
Parramatta, City of 27 November 1861 (1861-11-27) (Municipality) 12 May 2016 (2016-05-12) 84 32 111 251,311 5 Parramatta Town Hall
Penrith, City of 12 May 1871 (1871-05-12) (Municipality) 21 October 1959 (1959-10-21) 405 156 93 209,210 12 Penrith
Randwick, City of 23 February 1859 1 July 1990 36 14 116 154,265 20 Randwick Town Hall
Ryde, City of 12 November 1870 (1870-11-12) (Municipal district) 1 January 1992 (1992-01-01) 41 16 114 127,446 22 Ryde
Strathfield, Municipality of 2 June 1885 (1885-06-02) n/a 14 5.4 121 45,143 49 Strathfield
Sutherland Shire 6 March 1906 (1906-03-06) n/a 334 129 96 229,213 8 Sutherland
Sydney, City of n/a 20 July 1842 (1842-07-20) 27 10 118 240,229 6 Sydney Town Hall
The Hills Shire 6 March 1906 (1906-03-06)
(as Baulkham Hills Shire)
n/a 386 149 95 172,473 16 Norwest
Waverley Council 16 June 1859 (1859-06-16) n/a 9.4 3.6 125 74,114 35 Bondi Junction
Willoughby, City of 23 October 1865 17 November 1989 22 8.5 119 80,339 31 Chatswood
Woollahra, Municipality of 20 April 1860 (1860-04-20) n/a 12 4.6 122 58,964 43 Double Bay
Outer Metropolitan Sydney Local Government Areas
Blue Mountains, City of 4 January 1889 (1889-01-04)
(as the Municipality of Katoomba)
1 October 1947 (1947-10-01) 1,431 553 82 79,260 32 Katoomba
Hawkesbury, City of 1843
(as Windsor District Council)
1 January 1981 2,775 1,071 69 67,083 38 Windsor
Wollondilly Shire 6 March 1906 n/a 2,555 986 71 52,230 46 Picton

Regional LGAs

Northern

Central Coast

Local government area Date established Area Population Map Council Seat
Municipality / Shire City km2 mi2 Rank (2018) Rank
Central Coast Council 11 November 1886 (1886-11-11) (as Borough of Gosford)
1 January 1947 (1947-01-01)
(as Wyong Shire)
12 May 2016 (2016-05-12) 1,681 649 78 342,047 3 Gosford, Wyong

Hunter

Local government area Date established Area Population Map Council Seat
Municipality / Shire City km2 mi2 Rank (2018) Rank
Greater Newcastle Local Government Areas
Cessnock, City of 7 March 1906 (Shire) n/a 1,965 759 76 59,101 42 Cessnock
Lake Macquarie, City of 7 March 1906 (1906-03-07) (Shire) 1 April 1977 (1977-04-01) (Municipality) 7 September 1984 (1984-09-07) 649 251 89 204,914 13 Speers Point
Maitland, City of 12 March 1862
(as Municipality of East Maitland)
7 December 1945 392 151 94 83,203 29 Maitland
Newcastle, City of 8 June 1859 (Municipality) 26 January 1848 187 72 105 164,104 18 Newcastle
Port Stephens Council 7 March 1906 (Shire) n/a 858 331 87 72,695 36 Raymond Terrace
Other Hunter Local Government Areas
Dungog Shire 16 May 1893 n/a 2,250 870 73 9,346 93 Dungog
Muswellbrook Shire 13 April 1870 (Municipal District of Musclebrook) n/a 3,405 1,315 61 16,383 75 Muswellbrook
Singleton Council 2 February 1866 (Municipality) n/a 4,893 1,889 46 23,422 65 Singleton
Upper Hunter Shire 26 May 2004 (2004-05-26) n/a 8,096 3,126 29 14,220 79 Scone

Mid North Coast

Local government area Date established Area Population Map Council Seat
Municipality / Shire City km2 mi2 Rank (2018) Rank
Bellingen Shire 30 November 1956 n/a 1,600 620 79 12,963 83 Bellingen
Coffs Harbour, City of 30 November 1956 (Shire) 1 May 1987 1,174 453 85 76,551 33 Coffs Harbour
Kempsey Shire 11 June 1886 (Borough) n/a 3,376 1,303 62 29,665 62 Kempsey
MidCoast Council 7 March 1906 (1906-03-07) (as Gloucester Shire)
7 March 1906 (1906-03-07) (Municipality of Great Lakes)
1 January 1981 (1981-01-01) (Borough of Taree)
12 May 2016 (2016-05-12) 10,054 3,882 19 93,288 28 Gloucester, Forster, Taree
Nambucca Valley Council 15 December 1915 n/a 1,491 576 81 19,773 70 Macksville
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council 13 July 2005 (2005-07-13)
1 January 1881 (1881-01-01) (Municipality of Hastings)
n/a 3,682 1,422 56 83,131 30 Port Macquarie
Lord Howe Island 1913 (Board of Control), 1954 (Board) n/a 15 5.8 n/a 382 n/a N/A

New England

Local government area Date
established
Area Population Map Council Seat
km2 mi2 Rank (2018) Rank
Armidale Regional Council 12 May 2016 (2016-05-12) 8,621 3,329 26 30,707 61 Armidale
Glen Innes Severn Council 15 September 2004
17 June 1872 (Municipal District of Glen Innes)
5,480 2,120 41 8,908 95 Glen Innes
Gunnedah Shire 19 September 1885 (Municipal District) 4,987 1,925 45 12,661 85 Gunnedah
Gwydir Shire 17 March 2004 (2004-03-17) 9,260 3,580 22 5,349 112 Bingara
Inverell Shire 5 March 1872 (Municipal District) 8,597 3,319 27 16,844 74 Inverell
Liverpool Plains Shire 17 March 2004 5,082 1,962 44 7,893 99 Quirindi
Moree Plains Shire 5 December 1890 (Municipal District of Moree) 17,907 6,914 9 13,350 81 Moree
Narrabri Shire 28 September 1895 (Municipal District of West Narrabri) 13,015 5,025 13 13,231 81 Narrabri
Tamworth Regional Council 17 March 2004 (as Peel Regional) 9,884 3,816 21 59,663 40 Tamworth
Tenterfield Shire 23 November 1871 (Municipal District) 7,323 2,827 31 6,638 102 Tenterfield
Uralla Shire 24 April 1882 (Municipal District) 3,227 1,246 63 6,062 107 Uralla
Walcha Shire 1 June 1955 (1955-06-01) 6,261 2,417 36 3,132 120 Walcha

Northern Rivers

Local government area Date established Area Population Map Council Seat
Municipality / Shire City km2 mi2 Rank (2018) Rank
Ballina Shire 1 January 1977 (1977-01-01) n/a 485 187 91 44,208 50 Ballina
Byron Shire 6 March 1906 (1906-03-06) n/a 566 219 90 34,574 57 Mullumbimby
Clarence Valley Council 25 February 2004 n/a 10,429 4,027 18 51,647 47 Grafton, Maclean
Kyogle Council 6 March 1906
(Shire)
n/a 3,584 1,384 58 8,870 96 Kyogle
Lismore, City of 1879 (Municipality) 9 September 1946 (1946-09-09) 1,288 497 84 43,843 51 Goonellabah
Richmond Valley Council February 2000 (2000-02) n/a 3,047 1,176 65 23,399 66 Casino
Tweed Shire 1 January 1947 (1947-01-01) n/a 1,308 505 83 96,108 25 Murwillumbah

Southern

Illawarra (Greater Wollongong)

Local government area Date established Area Population Map Council Seat
Municipality / Shire City km2 mi2 Rank (2018) Rank
Kiama, Municipality of 11 August 1859 (1859-08-11) (Municipality) n/a 258 100 101 23,006 67 Kiama
Shellharbour, City of 4 June 1859 (1859-06-04) (Municipality) May 1996 147 57 107 72,240 37 Shellharbour City Centre
Wollongong, City of 24 August 1843 (1843-08-24)
(as Illawarra District Council)
11 September 1942 (1942-09-11) 684 264 88 216,071 10 Wollongong

South Coast

Local government area Date
established
Area Population Map Council Seat
km2 mi2 Rank (2018) Rank
Bega Valley Shire 1981 6,279 2,424 35 34,348 58 Bega
Eurobodalla Shire 17 November 1913 (1913-11-17) 3,428 1,324 59 38,288 56 Moruya
Shoalhaven, City of 1 July 1948 (1948-07-01) (Shire) 13 July 1979 (1979-07-13) 4,567 1,763 50 104,371 24 Nowra

Southern Highlands

Local government area Date established Area Population Map Council Seat
Municipality / Shire City km2 mi2 Rank (2018) Rank
Wingecarribee Shire 1 January 1981 (1981-01-01) n/a 2,689 1,038 70 50,493 48 Moss Vale

Southern Tablelands

Local government area Date established Area Population Map Council Seat
Municipality / Shire City km2 mi2 Rank (2018) Rank
Goulburn Mulwaree Council 11 February 2004 (2004-02-11) 3,220 1,240 64 30,852 60 Goulburn
Hilltops Council 12 May 2016 (2016-05-12) 7,141 2,757 32 18,782 71 Boorowa,

Harden, Young

Queanbeyan–Palerang Regional Council 12 May 2016 (2016-05-12) 5,319 2,054 42 59,959 41 Queanbeyan
Snowy Monaro Regional Council 12 May 2016 (2016-05-12) 15,164 5,855 10 20,733 69 Cooma
Upper Lachlan Shire 17 March 2004 7,127 2,752 33 7,961 98 Crookwell
Yass Valley Council 1 January 1980 (1980-01-01) (Shire)
11 February 2004 (2004-02-11) (Municipality)
3,995 1,542 53 16,953 73 Yass

Western

Central West

Local government area Date established Area Population Map Council Seat
Municipality / Shire City km2 mi2 Rank (2018) Rank
Bathurst Regional Council 26 May 2004 (2004-05-26) n/a 3,818 1,474 55 43,206 52 Bathurst
Blayney Shire 1 November 1882 n/a 1,525 589 80 7,342 100 Blayney
Cabonne Shire 1 October 1977 n/a 6,022 2,325 37 13,680 80 Molong
Cowra Shire 1980 (1980) n/a 2,829 1,092 67 12,767 84 Cowra
Forbes Shire 4 June 1870 (as Municipal District) n/a 4,710 1,820 49 9,910 91 Forbes
Lachlan Shire 6 March 1906 n/a 14,964 5,778 11 6,151 106 Condobolin
Lithgow, City of 4 June 1889 (Municipality) 21 December 1945 4,512 1,742 51 21,636 68 Lithgow
Mid-Western Regional Council 26 May 2004 (2004-05-26) n/a 8,752 3,379 25 25,086 64 Mudgee
Oberon Shire 6 March 1906 n/a 3,625 1,400 57 5,408 111 Oberon
Orange, City of 9 January 1860 (Municipality) 10 July 1946 284 110 100 42,056 53 Orange
Parkes Shire 1 March 1883 (as Municipal District) n/a 5,958 2,300 38 14,894 77 Parkes
Weddin Shire 6 March 1906 n/a 3,415 1,319 60 3,636 118 Grenfell

Far West

Local government area Date established Area Population Map Council Seat
Municipality / Shire City km2 mi2 Rank (2018) Rank
Broken Hill, City of n/a 24 September 1888 170 66 106 17,734 72 Council Chambers, Broken Hill
Central Darling Shire 20 March 1959
6 February 1883 (as Municipal District of Wilcannia)
n/a 53,492 20,653 1 1,837 127 Wilcannia
Unincorporated Far West n/a 93,199 35,984 674 N/A

Murray

Local government area Date established Area Population Map Council Seat
Municipality / Shire City km2 mi2 Rank (2018) Rank
Albury, City of 4 June 1859 (as Municipality) 1946 306 118 98 53,767 44 Albury
Balranald Shire 27 September 1882 n/a 21,691 8,375 6 2,340 126 Balranald
Berrigan Shire 6 March 1906 n/a 2,066 798 74 8,707 97 Berrigan
Edward River Council 1907 (1907) (as Conargo Shire)
16 December 1868 (1868-12-16)
(as Deniliquin Council)
12 May 2016 (2016-05-12) 8,884 3,430 24 8,995 94 Deniliquin
Federation Council 1955 (1955) (as Corowa Shire)
1906 (1906)
(as Urana Shire)
12 May 2016 (2016-05-12) 5,685 2,195 40 12,462 86 Corowa
Greater Hume Shire 26 May 2004 n/a 5,750 2,220 39 10,686 90 Holbrook
Murray River Council 12 May 2016 (2016-05-12) n/a 11,864 4,581 15 12,118 87 Moama
Wentworth Shire 23 January 1879 (1879-01-23) (Municipality)
and (Shire)
n/a 26,256 10,137 4 7,042 101 Wentworth

Orana

Local government area Date
established
Area Population Map Council Seat
km2 mi2 Rank (2018) Rank
Bogan Shire 17 February 1891 (Municipality) 7 May 1906 (Shire) 14,600 5,600 12 2,621 125 Nyngan
Bourke Shire 4 July 1878 41,600 16,100 3 2,630 124 Bourke
Brewarrina Shire 15 January 1901 19,164 7,399 7 1,655 128 Brewarrina
Cobar Shire 18 March 1884 45,579 17,598 2 4,722 113 Cobar
Coonamble Shire 3 May 1880 9,916 3,829 20 4,014 116 Coonamble
Dubbo Regional Council 12 May 2016 (2016-05-12) 7,535 2,909 30 53,240 45 Dubbo
Gilgandra Shire 6 March 1906 4,832 1,866 47 4,226 115 Gilgandra
Narromine Shire 23 April 1898 5,262 2,032 43 6,567 104 Narromine
Walgett Shire 6 March 1906 22,308 8,613 5 6,051 108 Walgett
Warren Shire 24 April 1895 10,754 4,152 17 2,745 123 Warren
Warrumbungle Shire 25 August 2004 12,372 4,777 14 9,399 92 Coonabarabran

Riverina

Local government area Date established Area Population Map Council Seat
Municipality / Shire City km2 mi2 Rank (2018) Rank
Bland Shire 6 March 1906 n/a 8,558 3,304 28 5,985 109 West Wyalong
Carrathool Shire 27 October 1943 n/a 18,935 7,311 8 2,802 122 Goolgowi
Coolamon Shire 6 March 1906 n/a 2,431 939 73 4,368 114 Coolamon
Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council 1 April 1975 (1975-04-01) (as Cootamundra Shire)
1 January 1924 (1924-01-01)
(as Gundagai Shire)
12 May 2016 (2016-05-12) 3,981 1,537 54 11,260 89 Cootamundra,

Gundagai

Griffith, City of 6 January 1928 (1928-01-06) 1 January 1982 (1982-01-01) 1,639 633 78 26,882 63 Griffith
Hay Shire 1 January 1965

10 June 1872 (as Municipality)

n/a 11,326 4,373 16 2,979 121 Hay
Junee Shire 26 July 1886 (Borough) n/a 2,030 780 75 6,631 103 Junee
Leeton Shire 20 December 1927

(Willimbong Shire)

n/a 1,167 451 86 11,438 88 Leeton
Lockhart Shire 6 March 1906 n/a 2,896 1,118 66 3,295 119 Lockhart
Murrumbidgee Council 12 May 2016 (2016-05-12) n/a 6,881 2,657 34 3,961 117 Darlington Point, Jerilderie
Narrandera Shire 1 January 1960 (1960-01-01) n/a 4,116 1,589 52 5,931 110 Narrandera
Snowy Valleys Council 12 May 2016 (2016-05-12) n/a 8,959 3,459 23 14,532 78 Tumut, Tumbarumba
Temora Shire 1 January 1981 n/a 2,802 1,082 68 6,274 105 Temora
Wagga Wagga, City of 15 March 1870 (Borough) 1 January 1981 (1981-01-01) 4,825 1,863 48 64,820 39 Wagga Wagga

Lord Mayoralties

There are four councils in NSW whose office of Mayor has been elevated to Lord Mayor. The process requires that the Premier of the day write to the reigning monarch to request the ascent.

Local Government Area Year of Royal Assent Incumbent Term start Map
City of Sydney 1930 Clover Moore 27 March 2004
City of Newcastle 1948 Nuatali Nelmes 15 November 2014
City of Wollongong 10 April 1970 Tania Brown 14 September 2024
City of Parramatta 12 December 1988 Pierre Esber 25 September 2023

Former local government areas in New South Wales

See also

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