AGY-6563 | Shire of Dorrigo [I]

Full description

The Local Government (Shires) Act 1905 (Act No.33, 1905) extended local government within NSW by creating shires in those areas of the State, outside of the Western Division, that were not part of existing municipalities. Shires were less populated areas than Municipalities and had fewer compulsory duties. (1)

The Shire of Dorrigo [I] was established on 7 March 1906. The Shire was situated in northern NSW: from Coffs Harbour in the south to Red Rock in the north and west to Newton Boyd. It included Dorrigo, Glenreagh, Woogoolga, Deer Vale, Megan and Brooklana, Dundurrabin, Nymboida, Dalmorton and Buccarumbi. The Shire was divided into three ridings (A, B and C) which were proclaimed on 16 May 1906. (3)

A temporary council of five members was appointed by the Governor to commence on 9 June 1906. (4) The temporary council's role was limited to compiling lists and rolls of electors, making arrangements within six months for the election of the first permanent council, and employing any staff needed to carry out these tasks. (5)

The election of the permanent Shire council was held on 24 November 1906. (6) The permanent Shire Council consisted of 6 members and held its first meeting on 6 December 1906 at which the first president was elected. (7)

The Shire of Dorrigo [I] was divided into two local government areas on 6 August 1913. (8) The eastern portion, which had previously been part of C Riding of Dorrigo [I], became the Shire of Dorrigo [II] and included Coffs Harbour, Coramba, Deer Vale, Megan, Brooklana, Glenreagh and Woolgoolga. The western portion, which had previously been A Riding, B Riding and part of C Riding of the Shire of Dorrigo [I], became the Shire of Nymboida. The Shire of Dorrigo [II] took responsibility for the Coffs Harbour Sanitary Service and the Coffs Harbour Fire Brigade and related records. As part of the conditions of the split, all account books and record books of the Shire of Dorrigo [I] were retained by Nymboida except for the valuation and rate books for C Riding which were retained by the Shire of Dorrigo [II]. (9)

Endnotes.
1. Department of Public Works, Annual Report 1905/06, pp.101-102.
2. NSW Government Gazette No.121, 7 March 1906, pp.1593, 1609; No.74, 15 May 1912, p.3047.
3. NSW Government Gazette No.161, 16 May 1906, pp.2899, 2906.
4. ibid., pp.2979, 2981; No.174, 6 June 1906, p.3290.
5. Local Government (Shires) Act, 1905 (Act No.33, 1905), s.7(a).
6. NSW Government Gazette No.121, 5 September 1906, p.5013; No.235, 3 October 1906, p.5590.
7. Local Government (Shires) Act, 1905 (Act No.33, 1905), ss.18(3), 21(2); Clarence and Richmond Examiner, 8 Dec 1906, p.9; 11 Dec 1906, p.5.
8. Clarence and Richmond Examiner 16 January 1912, p.5; 20 January 1912, p.2; 9 March 1912, p.4; 13 September 1913, p.3.
9. NSW Government Gazette No.74, 15 May 1912, p.3049; No.79, 21 May 1913, pp.3098-99; No.125, 6 August 1913, pp.4894-96; Department of Public Works, Annual Report 1913/14, p.102 Appendix VIII; Clarence and Richmond Examiner, 13 September 1913, p.3.