Initial Note

Note: This profile applies to the boundaries of the Georges River Council as proclaimed on 12 May 2016. The Georges River Council incorporates the former Hurstville City and Kogarah City.

Location

The Georges River Council area is located in the southern suburbs of Sydney, about 15-17 kilometres from the Sydney CBD. The Georges River Council area is bounded by the City of Canterbury Bankstown in the north, the Bayside Council area in the east, the Georges River in the south, and Salt Pan Creek in the west.

Included Areas

The Georges River Council area includes the suburbs of Allawah, Beverley Park, Beverly Hills (part), Blakehurst, Carlton (part), Carss Park, Connells Point, Hurstville, Hurstville Grove, Kingsgrove (part), Kogarah (part), Kogarah Bay, Kyle Bay, Lugarno, Mortdale, Narwee (part), Oatley, Peakhurst, Peakhurst Heights, Penshurst, Ramsgate (part), Riverwood (part), Sans Souci (part) and South Hurstville.

Land Use

The Georges River Council area is predominantly residential, but also has substantial industrial, commercial and recreational areas. The Council area encompasses a total land area of about 40 square kilometres, including waterways and large areas of open space, mainly along the Georges River.

Name Origin

The Georges River Council is named after the Georges River which bounds the southern part of the municipality.

Indigenous Meaning

The original inhabitants of the Georges River Council area were thought to be the Cadigal and Biddegal Aboriginal people.

Settlement

European settlement dates from 1804 when the first land grants were made, although the first occupied land grants were thought to be in 1809, with land used mainly for agricultural purposes and timber getting. Population was minimal until the 1840s, spurred by improved access, the clearing of land and the establishment of market gardens, orchards and vineyards. Growth took place in the 1880s and 1890s, aided by the opening of the Illawarra railway line in 1884. Rapid development occurred in the early 1900s, particularly during the 1920s and 1930s, spurred by the opening of the East Hills railway line. Significant residential development occurred during the immediate post-war years, accompanied by commercial growth in the Hurstville City Centre. Growth began to slow during the 1970s and 1980s. The population increased gradually from the early 1990s, rising from about 110,000 in 1991 to over 134,000 in 2011.

Major Features

Major features of the Council area include the Kogarah Town Centre, Westfield Hurstville Shopping Centre, Georges River National Park, the Georges River, St George Hospital, Hurstville Entertainment Centre, Hurstville Museum & Gallery, Hurstville Aquatic Leisure Centre, Johnny Warren Indoor Sports Centre, Hurstville Oval, UOW Jubilee Oval (Kogarah Oval), Kogarah Park, Oatley Park, Poulton Park, Moore Reserve & Wetlands, Carss Bush Park, Beverley Park Golf Club, Hurstville Golf Club, Georges River Cruises and various wharves and marinas.

Transport

The Georges River Council area is served by the South Western Motorway, the Princes Highway, Forest Road, King Georges Road, Stoney Creek Road and the Airport and Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra railway lines.