Didn’t Wollondilly Shire begin as Shire No. 122 of 134? Wollondilly Shire Council is a periurban local government area. It sits on the southwest fringe of Greater Sydney in New South Wales. Wollondilly is a transition. It bridges Regional NSW and the Greater Sydney Region.
The Wollondilly Shire Council area covers 2560 square kilometers. That is about 988 square miles. The council was formed by proclamation on March 7, 1906. This followed the Local Government Shires Act of 1905. The Wollondilly Shire amalgamated with the Municipality of Picton on May 1, 1940.
Wollondilly Shire gets its name from the Wollondilly River. The Hume Highway and Southern Highlands railway line cross the area. Wollondilly Shire features small towns and villages. Farms and sandstone gorges dot the landscape. Wilderness lies to the west. This includes the Nattai Wilderness and the Burragorang Valley. Much of the Shire is national park. It also forms part of Sydney’s water catchment. The Shire provides 97% of Sydney’s water supply. Warragamba Dam holds 80% of that water.
The first council met on June 15, 1906. George Macarthur-Onslow was elected Chairman. C. A. Thompson became secretary and shire clerk. A. P. Minton was later appointed Shire Clerk in June 1907.
Elections for the council took place on November 24, 1906. Six councillors were elected in three ridings. Each riding had two councillors. The ridings were A Riding, B Riding, and C Riding.
The final meeting of the Temporary Council occurred on December 3, 1906. It was held at The Oaks. George Macarthur-Onslow was elected the first Shire President of Wollondilly. On January 11, 1907, Macarthur-Onslow resigned. John E. Moore was elected Shire President.
Part of the Blue Mountains Shire transferred to Wollondilly Shire on May 31, 1911. Part of Wollondilly Shire transferred to Nepean Shire on March 21, 1940.
When created in 1906, Wollondilly did not include Picton. Picton was incorporated as the Borough of Picton on March 15, 1895. The Borough of Picton became the Municipality of Picton on December 31, 1906.
A poll was held on April 1, 1939. Residents voted on uniting Picton Municipality and Wollondilly Shire. The vote was affirmative. On May 1, 1940, the Municipality of Picton amalgamated into Wollondilly Shire. The Shire Council expanded to eight councillors. They represented four ridings. The council seat moved from The Oaks to Picton.
In 2021, the population of Wollondilly was 53,961. Wollondilly Shire Council consists of nine councillors. They are elected proportionally from two wards. Each ward elects four councillors. There is also a popularly elected mayor. Councillors serve fixed four-year terms. Matt Gould became the first popularly elected mayor in 2024.
Wollondilly Shire boasts numerous heritage-listed sites. These include Cataract Dam. You can also find Nepean Dam here. Don’t miss the Picton Railway Station. Explore the Megarritys Bridge.
Wollondilly is served by local newspapers. These are the District Reporter and the Wollondilly Express. Regional media includes radio stations 2MCR and C91.3FM. The Macarthur Chronicle also covers the area. Wollondilly Shire Council continues to serve its community. It balances growth with preserving its unique heritage and natural beauty.