A Brief History of the Former Goulburn City Council
Last modified: November 9, 2009 - 10:48 PM
Goulburn was first incorporated as a Municipality in 1859.
The election of the first municipal council took place on 21 July 1859. There were nine Aldermen.
The first council meeting was held in the Court House and the first Mayor was CH Walsh. Goulburn's first Town Clerk, now titled General Manager, was William Dignam.
Goulburn was declared a city by royal letters patent 14th March, 1863.
Some Milestones in our history:
- In 1876 the first enquiries were made with regard to lighting the city with gas. Goulburn Streets were first lit by gas on 1 November 1879. The first lamp was lit in Belmore Square.
- 1877 saw the Council involved with the beginnings of Victoria Park or the "West Goulburn Recreation Ground" as it was then called.
- Council discussed a sewerage scheme in 1884 and the nucleus of a water supply was completed in 1886 with the last stone of the Water Works chimney being laid in 1885.
- Municipal baths were first put forward in 1881. The new public baths were opened in 1892 and the Council leased the baths out.
- In 1890 Council resolved to "join the proposed Telephone exchange"
- In May 1914 Goulburn street lights were light by electricity instead of gas.
Contact details
Goulburn Mulwaree Council
02 4823 4444 (ph)
02 4823 4456 (fax)
council@goulburn.nsw.gov.au
