How about a journey through time right here at Burwood Council? Established on March 27 1874 Burwood Council has been a cornerstone of this community. It started small but it has grown into a vibrant hub.
Burwood Council is located in the inner-west of Sydney. The Municipality of Burwood is also known as Burwood Council. The municipality spans a compact 7 square kilometers. Despite its small size Burwood is the second smallest Local Government Area in New South Wales. Only Hunter’s Hill is smaller.
Let’s talk about leadership. The current mayor of Burwood Council is John Faker. He is a member of the Labor Party. The council chambers themselves are a piece of history. Architect Jack Hennessy designed and built them in 1877. Interestingly Hennessy later served as mayor of Burwood.
Now picture this: 2015. The NSW Government Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal suggested a merger. The idea was to combine Burwood Council with Canada Bay and Strathfield Councils. This would have created a larger council. It would have covered 41 square kilometers and served around 163000 people. Strathfield Council challenged this merger. They commenced proceedings in the New South Wales Land and Environment Court. The NSW Government withdrew from the case. The merger proposal stalled. In July 2017 the government abandoned the forced merger.
Burwood Council represents several suburbs. These include Burwood Burwood Heights Croydon Croydon Park Enfield and parts of Strathfield.
Let’s consider the people who call Burwood home. The 2021 census counted 40217 residents. Of these 48.9 percent were male and 51.1 percent were female. The median age in Burwood is 34 years. Children aged 0 to 14 make up a small portion of the population. People aged 85 and over also represent a smaller segment. The largest age group is those aged 20 to 24.
Burwood has seen significant population growth. Between 2001 and 2006 the population increased by 5.26 percent. From 2006 to 2011 it grew by 4.84 percent. The population jumped by 13.53 percent. This was much higher than the national average.
Many Burwood residents identify as Chinese. In fact the proportion of residents with Chinese ancestry is six times the national average. Many households speak an Asian language at home.
Burwood Council comprises seven councillors. This includes the mayor. They serve fixed four-year terms. Since 2012 the mayor has been directly elected. The other six councillors are elected proportionally. The most recent election was in September 2024.
Burwood Council introduced a new logo in September 2019. The design reflects the area’s multiculturalism. It also retains its heritage. The logo is based on the letter “B”. It is divided into six parts. Each represents a suburb of the area. The color scheme represents residents’ priorities. Pink signifies harmony and friendship. Light blue represents trust and stability. Orange symbolizes creativity and vibrancy. Red embodies heritage and heart. Green stands for the natural environment. Yellow signifies energy and optimism. The previous Burwood Council logo was designed in 1936.
Burwood Council continues to evolve. It addresses the challenges of a growing population. The council strives to enhance services. It also meets the diverse needs of its community. Burwood Council remains a vital part of Sydney’s inner-west.