1970: Dividing the Sutherland Shire

Source: Anon. 1970. "Residents Seek Shire Split-Up". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, October 14: 1 & 22.

Residents of the Sutherland Shire take pride in where they live. They love to boast about living in "God's Country" and "The Shire".

One element that has helped shape its identity is its council - Sutherland Shire Council, established in 1906. At its founding, the region was home to 1500 people.

According to the 2021 Census, approximately 230,000 reside in the region.

Fifty years ago, the population of the Sutherland Shire was around 153,000 and was booming as residential estates were built in suburbs across the region, particularly in Engadine, Heathcote, Bonnet Bay, Kareela and Sylvania Waters. 

A group of residents felt it was time for the region to be divided into two local government areas, but why?

• The Sutherland Shire was no longer a "shire", a title conferred to local government areas in rural areas.
• Population Growth - The post-war boom increased from around 18,000 in 1939 to over 153,000 by 1970.
• Geographic Size of the region - It was felt that the region's large size and geographic spread meant that councillors could not understand issues affecting all areas of the Sutherland Shire.
• Deterioration of Cronulla Beaches
• Neglect of Kurnell
• Council workers having to travel long distances from Sutherland to complete jobs across the region.

Which Suburbs would be in Cook Council?

It was to be based on the borders of the Federal Electorate of Cook as it was at the time and comprised of the following suburbs:

• Burraneer
• Caringbah
• Caringbah South
• Cronulla
• Dolans Bay
• Greenhills Beach (future suburb)
• Lilli Pilli
• Kangaroo Point
• Kurnell
• Miranda
• Port Hacking
• Sylvania
• Sylvania Waters
• Taren Point
• Woolooware
• Yowie Bay

Had the council become a reality, there would be an estimated 89,000 residents based on 2021 Census Data. The remainder of the Sutherland Shire would have around 137,000 residents. 

Sutherland Council Reacts

Shire President Arthur Gietzelt opposed the idea, concerned that it would lead to a doubling of rates for ratepayers across the two councils, duplication of facilities and services, and increased costs in hiring officials, referring to council administrators and managers. It also doubted whether ratepayers could fund projects benefiting locals, such as the Sutherland Civic Centre (completed 1976). Simply Gietzelt felt one large council would be more efficient and better able to provide service for its residents.

What if it became a reality? Would Cook Council still be in existence in 2025?

In 2016, the NSW Government forced a number of Sydney councils to merge. The majority of mergers proceeded. Both Sutherland and Cook Councils would have been forced to merge to reestablish the council on the original (or, as we see it today, current boundaries), citing the creation of the Northern Beaches LGA. According to the 2021 census, it has a population of over 260,000, comprising the former Manly, Warringah and Pittwater Council areas. 

 

Property Advert of the Week: Northern Beaches Land Releases (1965)

Below is a 1965 newspaper advertisement promoting land releases at Beacon Hill and Belrose dating from 1965 from John Walsh & Co.

Source: John Walsh & Co. Pty. Ltd. 1965. "Follow the "John Walsh" Signs" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, December 4: 44. 

1999: Relocation of the Sir William Dobell Memorial Sculpture

Photo taken by the Author (2025)

The Sir William Dobell Memorial Sculpture was installed in Martin Place in 1979. In 1996, as part of upgrades of Martin Place, the 19-metre-tall sculpture was dismantled and stored at the Sydney City Council depot in Harris Street, Ultimo.

In May 1999, Sydney City Council voted to reassemble the statue as part of a traffic island to be built at the corner of Pitt and Spring Street. It was recommissioned in October 1999. 

In 2021, Sydney City Council approved the permanent closure of Spring Street for traffic entering from Pitt Street, creating a small plaza or square. However, no work has been undertaken to level the footpath.

Source: Skelsey, M. 1999. "Shish kebab to rise again". The Daily Telegraph, May 17: 16.

Property Advert of the Week: Eastgate Gardens (1987) - The mega advertisement

I have posted two advertisements promoting apartments for sale in Eastgate Towers in Bondi Junction (links below), but this one covers the entire page of a broadsheet newspaper (A2) size. It was published in The Sydney Morning Herald on April 11 1987.

Source: Laing & Simmons Pty. Ltd. 1987. "Eastgate Gardens". The Sydney Morning Herald, April 11: 36. 

Related Entries

Property Advert of the Week: Eastgate Gardens, Bondi Junction (1988)

Property Advert of the Week: Eastgate Towers, Bondi Junction (1987)

1987: Harbour Bridge Toll rises to $1

Source: NSW Department of Main Roads. 1987. "A dollar well-spent" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, May 30: 19. 

In April 1987, the NSW State Government passed the Sydney Harbour Tunnel (Private Joint Venture) Act 1987 which gave formal approval for the construction of the Sydney Harbour Tunnel. 

Source: Armstrong, D. 1987. "Bridge toll $1 from end of May". The Daily Telegraph, April 28: 7. 

While the Sydney Harbour Tunnel would be tolled, the decision was made that month to increase the toll on the Sydney Harbour Bridge from 20 cents to $1, to aid in funding the cost of construction. The increase would commence on May 31 1987. 

20 cent tolls

Between 1960 and 1970, motorists using the bridge paid a 10 cent toll each way (1 shilling prior to introduction of decimal currency in 1966). For those commuting in both directions, it would total 20 cents per day.

In 1970, the northbound toll was abolished to improve northbound traffic flow and the southbound toll was doubled to 20 cents to compensate for the loss of revenue (Click here to read more about it). 

Therefore for the average commuter, the toll increase in 1987 would be the first increase to the toll since 1960.

How big was the increase?

The increase in the toll was 80 cents, but this represented a 500% increase. The commuter would now pay what was one week of toll payments in one day or five weeks of toll payments during the working week. 

Adjusted for inflation (RBA Inflation Calculator), motorists were paying the equivalent of 58 cents in today's money for a 20-cent toll. The increase to $1 would equate to paying $2.90 today which for many commuters is cheaper than current tolls  ($4.27 in peak periods, $3.20 off-peak and $2.67 for overnight travel).

Toll Collectors Strike

Toll Collectors went on strike on the weekend of May 30 and May 31 1987, delaying the toll increase by one day. They refused a pay increase of 4%, arguing for even higher wages as they felt that they would be at increased risk of abuse from angry motorists and also robberies.

Source: Aubin, T. 1987. "The toll 1987: bricks and hot coins". The Sydney Morning Herald, June 1: 1. 

The Reaction

Given the massive increase in the toll, this was not well received. For some, they responded by refusing to pay the toll, even though they faced fines of $50.

Warnings were given to drivers.

Source, Armstrong, D. 1987. "Big bills planned for toll evaders". The Daily Telegraph, April 29: 7. 

On day one, traffic volumes during the morning peak hour decreased by nine percent. 44 drivers refused to pay the toll while 14 paid for their tolls using 1 and 2 cent coins only. The general mood to the incerase was not positive

 

Source: Grimshaw, P. 1987. "$1 toll slices bridge traffic". The Daily Telegraph, June 2: 4. 

The toll dodgers and those who opted for payment solely in 1 and 2 cent coins were confronted by the toll collectors and police.

Source: Aubin, T & Coultan, M. 1987. "Drivers for who the $1 tolls". The Sydney Morning Herald, June 2: 1. 

There was one backflip with the increase in tolls - 230 incapacitated service-men were exempt from paying the 20 cent tolls, but were required under the toll increase to pay the toll as with all other drivers. This was cancelled and they could continue to drive for free.

Source: Thomas, C. 1987. "Brereton does a U-turn for angry old diggers." The Sydney Morning Herald, June 1: 5.

Property Advert of the Week: 8 Williams Parade, Dulwich Hill (1998)

Below is a 1998 newspaper advertisement for the Kensington complex at 8 Williams Parade, Dulwich Hill. Two and three-bedroom apartments were on sale for just $ 240,000.

   

Source: Magna Project Marketing. 1998. "Kensington" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, May 2: 34RE (Real Estate Liftout).

Remember This? This is Sydney at 97.3 Degrees (1956)

Above: Bondi Beach. Full citation below.

A weather-themed entry for this week, fitting in with summer. Below is a feature from The Daily Telegraph from December 31 1956. 

On December 30 1956, temperatures peaked at 97.3 degrees Fahrenheit in Sydney (36.2 degrees Celsius).

An estimated 320,000 people converged on beaches in Sydney, Newcastle, and the Central Coast to keep cool. 

Sydney's hottest day this summer to date (2024/2025) is December 27, 2024, when temperatures peaked at 37.4 degrees at Observatory Hill. I've enlarged the table from the article below to show the temperatures recorded at various times on the day.

   

 

Source: Anon. 1957. "Hottest day in city for 2 years". The Daily Telegraph, December 31: 5.