What if I told you that Ku-ring-gai Council is more than just a local government area? It is a place with a unique identity. Ku-ring-gai Council is located in Northern Sydney. It is part of the Upper North Shore region of New South Wales. The area gets its name from a fictional Aboriginal language group.
Ku-ring-gai Council was first established as the Shire of Ku-ring-gai on March 6, 1906. The first Shire Council was elected on November 24, 1906. William Cowan was elected as Shire President at the first meeting on December 8, 1906. A Deputy President was not appointed until the council election on March 1, 1920.
On September 22, 1928, the Shire of Ku-ring-gai became the Municipality of Ku-ring-gai. The titles of Shire President and Councillor were changed to Mayor and Alderman. In 1993, a new Local Government Act changed the council’s title to Ku-ring-gai Council. Aldermen were then called councillors.
Ku-ring-gai Council covers an area of 86 square kilometers. At the 2021 census, the population was about 124,076. Ku-ring-gai is considered one of the most advantaged areas in Australia. It consistently ranks high on the Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage.
Major transport routes run through Ku-ring-gai Council. These include the Pacific Highway and the North Shore railway line. Thanks to its fertile soils and elevated position on the Hornsby Plateau, Ku-ring-gai once had extensive dry sclerophyll forests. Patches of this forest remain. They are now part of the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Residential areas also feature many domestic gardens.
The area within Ku-ring-gai Council is linguistically diverse. In 2021, Asian languages were spoken in over 20 percent of households. This is more than four times the national average.
Ku-ring-gai Council is made up of ten councillors. They are elected from five wards. Each ward elects two councillors. All councillors serve fixed four-year terms. The mayor is elected every two years by the councillors. The deputy mayor is elected annually. Christine Kay is the current mayor of Ku-ring-gai Council. She was elected in November 2024.
Ku-ring-gai Council has a rich history. It continues to evolve. It balances its natural beauty with urban development. The council is dedicated to providing high-quality service to its community.
Ku-ring-gai is bound by three national parks. These are Garigal National Park, Lane Cove National Park, and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Residents and visitors enjoy unspoiled bushland. They also appreciate the incredible wildlife.
Our green, leafy streets offer tranquil parks. Walking and bike trails are renowned. Ku-ring-gai’s cultural diversity creates multicultural hubs. These areas have vibrant dining and entertainment. Many community events are available.
Ku-ring-gai Council managed 375 hectares of bushland. It also maintains 30 kilometers of walking trails. There are 207 parks, playgrounds, and sports fields. It looks after 67 tennis courts and 22 community centers. Ku-ring-gai has four library branches. These attract 325,966 visitors. There are two golf courses and two mountain bike tracks. Two youth hubs have 7,300 participants. An art center has 2,406 enrolments. The showground sees 248,200 cars pass through its gates. The Wildflower Garden attracts 150,000 trail walkers and visitors. The council maintains 484 kilometers of road.
From its early days as a shire to its current status as a municipality, Ku-ring-gai Council has always adapted to meet the needs of its residents. Ku-ring-gai Council remains a unique and special place within Sydney.