City of Blue Mountains

The City of Blue Mountains is a local government area of New South Wales, Australia, governed by the Blue Mountains City Council. The city is located in the Blue Mountains, on the Great Dividing Range at the far western fringe of the Greater Sydney area.

Not to be confused with Greater Blue Mountains Area, Blue Mountains (New South Wales), Blue Mountains National Park, or Electoral district of Blue Mountains.

City of Blue Mountains
New South Wales
City of Blue Mountains council building in Katoomba
Location in Outer Metropolitan Sydney
Coordinates33°42′S 150°18′E
Population
 • Density53.78/km2 (139.3/sq mi)
Established1 October 1947 (1947-10-01)[3]
Area1,430 km2 (552.1 sq mi)
MayorMark Greenhill
Council seatKatoomba[4]
RegionBlue Mountains, Greater Western Sydney
State electorate(s)
Federal division(s)Macquarie
WebsiteCity of Blue Mountains
LGAs around City of Blue Mountains:
Lithgow Hawkesbury Hawkesbury
Lithgow City of Blue Mountains Penrith
Oberon Wollondilly Liverpool
The Three Sisters, south of Katoomba, in Blue Mountains National Park, are a major attraction of the city.

The mayor of Blue Mountains City Council is Councillor Mark Greenhill, a member of the Labor Party.

Towns and villages in the local government area

The urban part of the city consists of a ribbon of close or contiguous towns which lie on the Main Western railway line, served by NSW TrainLink's Blue Mountains Line, and Great Western Highway between Emu Plains and Lithgow. About 70% of the city's area is within the Blue Mountains National Park which lies north and south of the ribbon of towns. The National Park is part of the much larger Greater Blue Mountains Area World Heritage Site and the city brands itself as "The City Within a World Heritage National Park". The towns and villages are generally grouped into lower, mid, and upper mountains. The economy of the upper mountains is dependent almost entirely on tourism . The road to Sydney, the Great Western Highway, is mostly dual carriageway but is relatively slow due to the urban development and hilly terrain. The electric train service integrates into Sydney Trains, Sydney's suburban rail network.

The main towns and villages in the City of Blue Mountains are:

Demographics
Selected historical census data for the City of Blue Mountains local government area
Census year2001[5]2006[6]2011[7]2016[1]
PopulationEstimated residents on census night73,675Increase 74,067Increase 75,942Increase 76,904
LGA rank in terms of size within New South Wales28Increase 27Decrease 31
% of New South Wales population1.1%Steady 1.1%
% of Australian population0.39%Decrease 0.37%Decrease 0.35%Decrease 0.33%
Cultural and language diversity
Ancestry,
top responses		Englishn/rn/r30.1%Increase 30.5%
Australiann/rn/r28.7%Decrease 26.3%
Irishn/rn/r10.2%Increase 11.1%
Scottishn/rn/r8.3%Increase 8.6%
Germann/rn/r3.2%Decrease 3.3%
Language,
top responses
(other than English)		Germann/r0.6%Steady 0.6%Decrease 0.5%
Spanishn/r0.3%Increase 0.4%Increase 0.5%
Italian0.3%Increase 0.4%Decrease 0.3%Increase 0.4%
Mandarinn/rn/rn/r0.4%
Frenchn/rn/rn/r0.3%
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation,
top responses		No religion (excluding not stated)18.0%Increase 22.0%Increase 26.8%Increase 35.7%
Catholic22.6%Decrease 22.5%Decrease 21.5%Decrease 19.7%
Anglican24.6%Decrease 22.5%Decrease 20.9%Decrease 17.0%
Not statedn/rn/rn/r8.4%
Christian (nfd)n/rn/rn/r2.9%
Median weekly incomes
Personal incomeMedian weekly personal incomen/rA$501n/rA$688
% of Australian median incomen/r107.5%n/r103.9%
Family incomeMedian weekly family incomen/rA$1,345n/rA$1,866
% of Australian median incomen/r114.9%n/r107.6%
Household incomeMedian weekly household incomen/rA$1,093n/rA$1,468
% of Australian median incomen/r106.4%n/r102.1%

Council

Current composition and election method
A map of the four wards, showing party representation as of the 2021 local elections.

Blue Mountains City Council is composed of twelve councillors elected proportionally as four separate wards, each electing three councillors. All councillors are elected for a fixed four-year term of office. The mayor is elected by the councillors at the first meeting of the council. The most recent general election was held on 4 December 2021.

PartyCouncillors
  Labor Party 6
  Independents 1
  Liberal Party 3
  The Greens 2
Total 12
WardCouncillorPartyNotes
First Ward[8]   Kevin Schreiber Liberal Elected 2016.
  Sarah Redshaw Greens Elected 2021.
  Suzie van Opdorp Labor Elected 2021.
Second Ward[9]   Claire West Labor Elected 2021.
  Romola Hollywood Labor Elected 2012. Deputy Mayor 2021–date.
  Brent Hoare Greens Elected 2016.
Third Ward[10]   Daniel Myles Independent Elected 1999. Deputy Mayor 2004–2005.[11] Mayor 2010–2013.
  Roza Sage Liberal Elected 2021.
  Mick Fell Labor Elected 2012.
Fourth Ward[12]   Mark Greenhill Labor Elected 1999–2004, 2008–date. Deputy Mayor 2010–2012.[11] Mayor 2013–date.
  Brendan Christie Liberal Elected 2012.
  Nyree Fisher Labor Elected 2021.

Mayors
#MayorPartyTerm startTerm endTime in officeNotes
1 William FreelanderIndependent2 October 19477 December 19481 year, 66 days[13][14][15]
2 Frank WalfordIndependent7 December 194812 December 19502 years, 5 days[16][17]
3 Percy Edward GalweyIndependent12 December 19505 December 19532 years, 358 days[18][19][20]
4 Aubrey MurphyIndependent15 December 1953December 19551 year, 351 days[21][22]
– Frank WalfordIndependentDecember 1955December 19561 year, 0 days[23]
– Aubrey MurphyIndependentDecember 1956December 19593 years, 0 days[24]
5 Leslie CorneIndependentDecember 1959December 1960352 days[24]
– Frank WalfordIndependentDecember 1960December 19611 year, 0 days
6 Keith BatesIndependentDecember 1961December 19664 years, 351 days[24]
7 Tom HunterIndependentDecember 1966December 1967351 days[24]
8Ern LesslieDecember 1967December 19691 year, 351 days[24]
9Jack PowellDecember 1969September 19711 year, 274 days[24]
10Ian DashSeptember 1971September 19743 years, 0 days[24]
–Ern LesslieSeptember 1974September 19762 years, 0 days[24]
11William LloydSeptember 1976September 19771 year, 0 days[24]
–Ern LesslieSeptember 197719 December 19792 years, 109 days[24]
–John James Wickham (Administrator)19 December 1979December 19811 year, 347 days[24][25][26]
12Peter QuirkDecember 1981September 19875 years, 274 days[24][27]
13James C. AngelSeptember 1987September 19881 year, 0 days[24]
14Ralph WilliamsSeptember 1988September 19913 years, 0 days[24]
15Peter O'TooleSeptember 1991February 1992153 days[24]
16Bob ClarkeFebruary 1992September 19942 years, 212 days[24]
17Joy AndersonSeptember 1994September 19951 year, 0 days[24]
18Michael NeallSeptember 1995September 19994 years, 0 days[24]
19 Jim AngelLaborSeptember 199913 September 20089 years, 12 days[24]
20 Adam SearleLabor30 September 200821 September 20101 year, 356 days[24]
21 Daniel MylesLiberal21 September 201017 September 20132 years, 361 days[24]
22 Mark GreenhillLabor17 September 2013Incumbent10 years, 38 days[24][28][29]

Council services

Cemeteries

The City of Blue Mountains Council maintains cemeteries at Blackheath, Faulconbridge, Katoomba, Lawson, Megalong Valley, Mount Irvine, Mount Victoria, Mount Wilson, Springwood, and Wentworth Falls.[30]

Libraries

Blue Mountains Library operates three full-time branches, three part-time branches and a service for train commuters at Springwood and Katoomba stations two days a week.[31]

Leisure centres

Blue Mountains Leisure Centres operate from five locations. All five locations have pools and the Katoomba and Springwood locations have gyms and offer various fitness classes.[32]

Heritage listings

The City of Blue Mountains has a number of heritage-listed sites, including the following sites listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register:

Sister cities

The City of Blue Mountains has sister city relationships with the following cities:[65]

See also

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Blue Mountains (C)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  2. "3218.0 – Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2017–18". Australian Bureau of Statistics. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2019. Estimated resident population (ERP) at 30 June 2018.
  3. "Council Overview – History of Council". Blue Mountains City Council.
  4. "Blue Mountains City Council". Division of Local Government. Archived from the original on 6 September 2006. Retrieved 27 November 2006.
  5. Australian Bureau of Statistics (9 March 2006). "Blue Mountains (C)". 2001 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  6. Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Blue Mountains (C)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  7. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Blue Mountains (C)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  8. "Blue Mountains Ward 1 Results". Electoral Commission of New South Wales. 17 September 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  9. "Blue Mountains Ward 2 Results". Electoral Commission of New South Wales. 17 September 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  10. "Blue Mountains Ward 3 Results". Electoral Commission of New South Wales. 17 September 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  11. "Past and Current Elected Deputy Mayors". Blue Mountains City Council. Archived from the original on 16 December 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  12. "Blue Mountains Ward 3 Results". Electoral Commission of New South Wales. 17 September 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  13. "CITY OF BLUE MOUNTAINS PROVISIONAL COUNCIL". The Blue Mountains Advertiser. New South Wales, Australia. 3 October 1947. p. 2. Retrieved 15 September 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  14. "ALD. W. FREELANDER RE-ELECTED MAYOR OF BLUE MOUNTAINS BY UNANIMOUS VOTE". The Blue Mountains Advertiser. New South Wales, Australia. 5 December 1947. p. 1. Retrieved 15 September 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  15. "Mayor of City of Blue Mountains". Nepean Times. New South Wales, Australia. 11 December 1947. p. 1. Retrieved 15 September 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  16. "MAYOR OF BLUE MOUNTAINS CITY". Nepean Times. New South Wales, Australia. 9 December 1948. p. 4. Retrieved 15 September 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  17. "WALFORD RE-ELECTED BLUE MOUNTAINS MAYOR". The Blue Mountains Advertiser. New South Wales, Australia. 15 December 1949. p. 11. Retrieved 15 September 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  18. "BLUE MOUNTAINS MAYOR ELECTED". The Blue Mountains Advertiser. New South Wales, Australia. 14 December 1950. p. 1. Retrieved 15 September 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  19. "Mayor of Blue Mountains". Nepean Times. New South Wales, Australia. 13 December 1951. p. 1. Retrieved 15 September 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  20. "Four Candidates for Mayor CLOSE POLL ON THE MOUNTAINS". Nepean Times. New South Wales, Australia. 4 December 1952. p. 4. Retrieved 15 September 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  21. "IMMENSE INTEREST IN BLUE MOUNTAINS MAYORAL ELECTION". Lithgow Mercury. New South Wales, Australia. 16 December 1953. p. 3. Retrieved 15 September 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  22. "Blue Mountains Mayor Re-elected". The Sydney Morning Herald. New South Wales, Australia. 8 December 1954. p. 4. Retrieved 15 September 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  23. "SPRINGWOOD". Nepean Times. New South Wales, Australia. 12 January 1956. p. 8. Retrieved 15 September 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  24. "Past and Current Elected Mayors". Blue Mountains City Council. Archived from the original on 16 December 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  25. "Local Government Act, 1919.—Proclamation". Government Gazette Of The State Of New South Wales. No. 182. New South Wales, Australia. 20 December 1979. p. 6365. Retrieved 16 September 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  26. Macey, Richard (22 January 1980). "Council's leader holds a 'tight' meeting". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 3.
  27. "Revolt leader may be mayor". The Sydney Morning Herald. 8 December 1981. p. 11.
  28. "Blue Mountains Councillor Mark Greenhill re-elected Mayor" (Media Release). Blue Mountains City Council. 30 September 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  29. "Mark Greenhill elected for third term as Blue Mountains mayor; Romola Hollywood elected deputy mayor". Blue Mountains Gazette. 30 December 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  30. "Our cemeteries". Blue Mountains City Council.
  31. "Locations, Hours & Contacts". bmcc.ent.sirsidynix.net.au. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  32. Day, Clear Blue. "Blue Mountains Leisure Centres – Centres". www.bmleisurecentres.com.au. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  33. "Blue Mountains Walking tracks". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H00980. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  34. "Blackheath Railway Station Group". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01088. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  35. "Norman Lindsay Gallery". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01503. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  36. "Glenbrook Railway Residence". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H00713. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  37. "Glenbrook Railway and World War Two Mustard Gas Storage Tunnel". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01861. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  38. "Lennox Bridge". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H00024. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  39. "Mount St Marys College and Convent". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01681. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  40. "Carrington Hotel". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H00280. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  41. "Katoomba Post Office (former)". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01453. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  42. "The Paragon". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01959. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  43. "Katoomba Railway Station and yard group". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01174. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  44. "Lilianfels". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H00431. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  45. "Lawson Railway Station Group". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01177. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  46. "Everglades". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01498. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  47. "Linden Observatory Complex". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01807. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  48. "Cox's Road and Early Deviations - Linden, Linden Precinct". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01953. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  49. "Medlow Dam". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01366. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  50. "Medlow Bath Railway Station group". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01190. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  51. "Mount Victoria Railway Station group". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01203. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  52. "Cox's Road and Early Deviations - Mount York, Cox's Pass Precinct". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01956. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  53. "Wynstay Estate". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01520. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  54. "Christ Church Anglican Church". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H00130. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  55. "Buckland Convalescent Home & Garden". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H00371. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  56. "Springwood Railway Station Group". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01247. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  57. "Railway Gatehouse". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H00220. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  58. "Valley Heights Railway Station and Locomotive Depot". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01276. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  59. "Track". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01372. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  60. "Davisville". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H00401. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  61. "Weatherboard Inn Archaeological Site". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H00595. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  62. "Woodford Academy". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01509. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  63. "Cox's Road and Early Deviations - Woodford, Old Bathurst Road Precinct". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01954. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  64. "Cox's Road and Early Deviations - Woodford, Appian Way Precinct". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01955. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
  65. "Sister Cities". Blue Mountains City Council. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
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