Hawkesbury People & Places
Colo Shire Council
Local government body
The former Colo Shire Council Chambers are located in George Road, Wilberforce, New South Wales. The Local Government (Shires) Act of 1905 enabled the formation of local councils which had the power to levy rates on freehold property and had the responsibility for the repair of roads and the provision of services. Colo Shire was inaugurated in March 1906. There were just over 1,000 eligible voters at the time and the first election took place on 24 November 1906. The selected representatives held their first meeting at the Old Retreat Inn, George Road Wilberforce on the 6 December that year. Meetings were held in this venue until the opening of the new chambers on the high side of George Road in September 1911.
Source: NSW Government Gazette
Reference: 7 March, 1906, p 1605
In accordance with the Local Government (Shires) Act, 1905, the Shire of Colo (Shire no. 118) was declared into existence. As Gazetted on 7 March, 1906, Colo Shire included the following boundaries: Commencing at the junction of Wollemi Creek and the Colo River; bounded by the Colo River and Wollangambie Creek; the parishes of Wollangambie and Irvine; the Grose River; the western and southern boundaries of the parish of Nepean; the right banks of the Nepean and Hawkesbury Rivers to Wiseman’s Ferry; bounded by the parishes of St Albans, Wallambine and Lockyer; the southern watershed of Yengo Creek; the Macdonald River; bounded by the parishes of Putty, Tollagong, Sturt, Coricudgy, Jamieson, Innes and Wirraba; the Wollemi Creek to the point of commencement.
Source: NSW Government Gazette
Reference: 16 May, 1906, pp 2966, 2979, 2981; 19 February, 1908, p 1146.
In May of 1906, the Colo Shire was divided into three ridings, in accordance with the Local Government (Shires) Act, 1905. This same Act also resulted in the appointment of a Temporary Council, whose tasks included making all necessary arrangements for the election of the first Council. Cecil S Icely was appointed Returning Officer, and the first elected Council were: “A” Riding - Arthur Charles Anderson; William Henry Gosper. “B” Riding - Edward Thomas Bowd; Henry Albert Wilson. “C” Riding - James Edward McMahon; James Lamrock, who was also elected President of Colo Shire Council.
Excerpt from the Windsor and Richmond Gazette 1 Dec 1906 declaring the results of the first election of councillors for the new Colo Shire Council https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/85665648
Reference: pp 157, 158
The first meeting of the Temorary Council met at Windsor Court House on 13 June 1906. The first election took place on 24 November 1906 and the first elected council met in Wilberforce at the Old Retreat Inn in George Road, Wilberforce on 6 December 1906. The council chambers at Wilberforce were constructed in 1910/1911 and extended in 1959. Windsor Shire amalgamated with Colo Shire in January 1981 to form Hawkesbury Shire Council.
Categories for Colo Shire Council
Related Locations of Colo Shire Council
You are welcome to add a comment, provide further information or suggest a correction, relevant to the history of this name.
Please make your comment below. PLEASE NOTE that comments are moderated and only relevant comments will be published
Property Research Service
Have you ever wondered when your house was built or who has owned your property over the years?