City of Wollongong

City of Wollongong New South Wales
Location in NSW
Population:	203,487(2010)[1]
Established:	1859
Area:	684 km² (264.1 sq mi)
Mayor:	Gordon Bradbery
Council Seat:	Wollongong (41 Burelli Street)[2]
Region:	Illawarra
State District:	Wollongong, Keira, Shellharbour, Heathcote
Federal Division:	Cunningham, Throsby
Website: http://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/
LGAs around City of Wollongong: Campbelltown, Wollondilly Sutherland Pacific Ocean Wingecarribee City of Wollongong Pacific Ocean Wingecarribee Shellharbour Pacific Ocean

The City of Wollongong is a Local Government Area in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. It is on the Pacific Ocean, the Southern Freeway and the South Coast railway line.

The area covers the northern and central suburbs of Wollongong, bounded by Helensburgh in the north, the Illawarra escarpment to the west, and by Macquarie Rivulet (Yallah, Haywards Bay) and the Lake Illawarra entrance (Windang) to the south.^[2]

The council's offices are located in Burelli Street, Wollongong.

Demographics

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there:^[3]

• Were 198 324 people as at 30 June 2008, the 3rd largest Local Government Area in New South Wales. It was equal to 2.8% of the New South Wales population of 6 984 172.
• Was an increase of 2,121 people over the year to 30 June 2008. It was equal to 2.7% of the 79 230 increase in the population of New South Wales.

The forecast population growth from 2006 to 2031 is approximately 0.99% per year.^[4]

History

Local government in the Illawarra region started with the passage of the District Councils Act 1842, which allowed for limited local government in the form of a warden and between 3 and 12 councillors to be appointed by the Governor. Between July and September 1843, 28 such entities had been proclaimed by Governor George Gipps—the Illawarra District Council, the 17th to be declared, was proclaimed on 24 August 1843, with a population of 4,044 and an area of 1,708 square kilometres (659 sq mi)^[5] covering the coastal plain from Bulli to Nowra and including inland districts such as Kangaroo Valley.^[6] Due to various factors, the District Councils were ineffective, and most had ceased to operate by the end of the decade.^[7]

The Municipalities Act of 1858,^[8] which gave the councils more authority and which allowed for residents to petition for incorporation of areas and also to elect councillors, met with somewhat greater success. On 22 February 1859, the Municipality of Wollongong, with an area of 8 square kilometres (3 sq mi) and a population of 1,200, became the first to be proclaimed under the Act in New South Wales, with 114 residents in favour and none against. The first elections were held on 29 March 1859, with John Garrett becoming the first mayor of Wollongong.^[9]

Other entities sprang into existence thereafter to service the surrounding region. The first, on 19 August 1859, was the Central Illawarra Municipality, which extended over 339.5 square kilometres (131.1 sq mi) from Unanderra (west of Wollongong) to Macquarie Rivulet, and had a population of 2,500. After an unsuccessful attempt by Wollongong to claim the area, the region from Fairy Meadow to Bellambi separately incorporated as North Illawarra on 26 October 1868. Finally, the Shire of Bulli was proclaimed further north on 15 May 1906.^[6][9]

Wollongong City Council administration building, located in Burelli Street, Wollongong.

Wollongong was proclaimed as a city on 11 September 1942. There was considerable pressure for amalgamation of the Illawarra area, which had transformed from a disparate rural area with some coastal towns into an increasingly urban-industrial region, and on 12 September 1947, the City of Wollongong, the Shires of Bulli and Central Illawarra, and the Municipality of North Illawarra amalgamated to form the City of Greater Wollongong under the Local Government Act 1919.^[6]

On 10 April 1970, a Lord Mayoralty was conferred on the city by Queen Elizabeth II, and on 30 October 1970, the City reverted to the name "City of Wollongong".^[6]

Its motto is "Urbs Inter Mare Montemque"—"City Between The Mountains And The Sea". Its corporate slogan is "City of Innovation".

Corruption inquiry

In February 2008, Council was the centre of a major ICAC inquiry which revealed favourable treatment of local developers from certain Council staff. The inquiry heard evidence that a council planner had been sexually involved with three developers whilst assessing their developments. There was also evidence presented of an impersonation of ICAC officers and plans of intimidation.^[10] This attracted significant media attention and renewed calls for tightening of rules of developer donations to political parties.^[11][12][13] The Premier Morris Iemma also agreed that rules would be tightened as several of his Ministers have been implicated in this scandal.^[14] On 4 March 2008, following recommendations from Commissioner Jerrold Cripps QC, the Local Government Minister approached the Governor of New South Wales to formally sack the council and install a panel of administrators (Gabrielle Kibble AO, Dr Colin Gellatly and Robert McGregor AM^[15]) for four years^[16] citing clear evidence of systemic corruption in Council.^[17] In October 2008, the ICAC referred briefs of evidence in relation to all eleven persons found to have acted corruptly to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

A summary of ICAC's recommendations for charges and the individuals concerned, and the determinations made by the Courts are as follows:

Individual	Role	Details of ICAC recommendations to the DPP[18]	Criminal findings[19]
Beth Morgan	Senior Development Project Officer (WCC)	27 criminal offences including offences under the Crimes Act 1900 of corruptly receiving benefits from Mr Tabak in relation to her assessment of his Victoria Square development application (DA), and from Mr Vellar for giving favourable treatment to a number of his DAs, plus various offences under section 80(c) of the ICAC Act of wilfully making a false statement to or misleading the Commission	Awaiting advice from the DPP on whether to proceed with prosecutions
Frank Vellar	Property Developer	various offences including offences under s. 249B(2) of corruptly giving benefits to Ms Morgan in return for her giving him favourable treatment to his DAs	Based on advice from the DPP, court attendance notices were served on Mr Vellar on 24 June 2010 for three offences under section 80(c) of the ICAC Act (misleading a Commission Officer). On 2 November 2010, these offences were mentioned at the Downing Centre Local Court. Based on further advice received from the DPP, Mr Vellar was also served court attendance notices that day in relation to an offence under section 88(3) of the ICAC Act (fabricating a document with intent to mislead the Commission) and an additional offence under section 80(c). All matters have been adjourned to 15 March 2011 for further mention.
Bulent “Glen” Tabak	Property Developer	various offences including under s.249B(2) of the Crimes Act for corruptly giving benefits to Ms Morgan and Mr Scimone	On 6 July 2010, Mr Tabak was found guilty of an offence of wilfully make false statement to the Commission or a Commission officer, contrary to section 80(c) of the ICAC Act [a further matter was taken into account in accordance with Division 3 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999]. He was required to enter into a bond to be of good behaviour for two-years pursuant to section 9 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999. In addition, he was fined $2,500 and ordered to pay $79 court costs. On 13 September 2010 Mr Tabak appealed against his conviction and sentence. The Judge dismissed the appeal and upheld the conviction and sentence.
John Gilbert	Senior Manager (WCC)		Awaiting advice from the DPP on whether to proceed with prosecutions
Rod Oxley	General Manager (WCC)		Awaiting advice from the DPP on whether to proceed with prosecutions
Joe Scimone	Senior Manager (WCC)	under s. 249B(1) of the Crimes Act for receiving a benefit from Mr Tabak	Awaiting advice from the DPP on whether to proceed with prosecutions
Valerio Zanotto	Councillor (WCC)	for the common law offence of misconduct in relation to his release of confidential Council information to Mr Vellar and for wilfully making a false statement to or misleading the Commission under s.80(c) of the ICAC Act	Awaiting advice from the DPP on whether to proceed with prosecutions
Kiril Jonovski		for offences under s.249B(1) of the Crimes Act of corruptly soliciting a benefit from Mr Vellar and under s.80(c) of the ICAC Act for wilfully making a false statement to or misleading the Commission	On 2 July 2010, Mr Jonovski was found not guilty in the Downing Centre Local Court in relation to a charge of: furnish false/misleading information in compliance with a section 21 notice contrary to section 82(b) of the ICAC Act; and two offences of give false/misleading evidence at a public inquiry, contrary to section 87 of the ICAC Act. Costs were awarded in the last matter.
Frank Gigliotti		for offences under s.249B(1) of the Crimes Act of corruptly soliciting a benefit from Mr Vellar and under s.80(c) of the ICAC Act for wilfully making a false statement to or misleading the Commission	On 2 July 2010, Mr Gigliotti was found not guilty in the Downing Centre Court in relation to a charge of an offence of give false/misleading evidence at a public inquiry, contrary to section 87 of the ICAC Act. Costs were awarded in this matter. A charge of furnish false/misleading information in compliance with a section 21 notice contrary to section 82(b) of the ICAC Act was withdrawn. On 5 July 2010, Mr Gigliotti was found guilty of two offences of give false/misleading evidence at a public inquiry, contrary to section 87 of the ICAC Act. On 29 November 2010, Mr Gigliotti was sentenced to 9 months imprisonment in relation to each offence. The Magistrate directed that the sentences were to be served concurrently. The Magistrate specified in relation to each offence that there be a non-parole period of 4 months. Mr Gigliotti lodged an appeal against both sentences and has been granted conditional bail. The appeal is listed to be heard on 1 February 2011. A further prosecution for a charge of wilfully make false statement to the Commission or a Commission officer, contrary to section 80(c) of the ICAC Act, was heard at the Downing Centre Local Court on 10 November 2010. On 29 November 2010, the Magistrate acquitted Mr Gigliotti of this charge.
Zeki Esen		for offences under s.249B(1) of the Crimes Act of corruptly soliciting a benefit from Mr Vellar and under s.80(c) of the ICAC Act for wilfully making a false statement to or misleading the Commission	On 2 July 2010, Mr Esen was found not guilty in the Downing Centre Local Court in relation to a charge of furnish false/misleading information in compliance with a section 21 notice contrary to section 82(b) of the ICAC Act; and two offences of give false/misleading evidence at a public inquiry, contrary to section 87 of the ICAC Act.

The New South Wales Government installed administrators to run the Council until 2012. Dr Col Gellatly, Robert McGregor and Gabrielle Kibble were appointed to the administrator roles, but as of January 2010 Mrs Kibble resigned and was replaced by Richard Colley.^[20][21]

See also

• Wollongong
• List of Wollongong suburbs

External links

• Wollongong City Council

References

1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 March 2011). "3218.0 - Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2009-10". http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/3218.02009-10?OpenDocument. Retrieved 23 May 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Wollongong City Council". Department of Local Government. http://www.dlg.nsw.gov.au/dlg/dlghome/dlg_CouncilContactDetails.asp?slacode=8450. Retrieved 2006-11-26. 
3. ^ "Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2007-08". Australian Bureau of Statistics. 30 July 2008. http://abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Products/3218.0~2007-08~Main+Features~New+South+Wales?OpenDocument#LOCALGOVERNMENTAREAPOPULATIONS. Retrieved 2009-07-26. 
4. ^ "Wollongong City Council Population forecasts". 11 March 2010. http://forecast2.id.com.au/default.aspx?id=302&pg=5000. Retrieved 10 November 2010. 
5. ^ Larcombe, F.A. (Frederick) (1973). The Origin of Local Government in New South Wales 1831-58. Sydney University Press. pp. 208–209. ISBN 0424066106.  See also Historical Records of Australia (Series I), xvii, Introduction, p.12.
6. ^ ^{a b c d} City of Wollongong (18 September 2007). "History of Wollongong City Council". Archived from the original on 2008-02-28. http://web.archive.org/web/20080228005517/http://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/YourCouncil/1557.asp. Retrieved 2008-03-04. 
7. ^ Merivale, Herman (1928) [1861]. Lectures on Colonization and the Colonies. Oxford University Press. pp. 651–653. 
8. ^ 22 Vic No. 13 (Imp), assented 27 October 1858
9. ^ ^{a b} Larcombe, p.270-277.
10. ^ "Latest Stories From News.Com.Au". http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23285552-12377,00.html. 
11. ^ "Oppn defends ICAC donations revelations". ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). 22 February 2008. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/22/2169395.htm. Retrieved 2008-03-04. 
12. ^ Frew, Wendy (21 February 2008). "Gong-gate council under threat". Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media). http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/02/20/1203467183522.html. Retrieved 2008-03-04. 
13. ^ Tadros, Edmund (21 February 2008). "Planner's 'mission for sex'". Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media). http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/02/21/1203467243561.html. Retrieved 2008-03-04. 
14. ^ Bibby, Paul (28 February 2008). "Iemma's new donation rules". Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media). http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/02/28/1203788515562.html. Retrieved 2008-03-04. 
15. ^ "The Administrators". Wollongong City Council. 27 March 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-04-02. http://web.archive.org/web/20080402051156/http://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/YourCouncil/4367.asp. Retrieved 2008-03-28. 
16. ^ "Wollongong Council sacked". ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). 4 March 2008. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/03/04/2179795.htm. Retrieved 2008-03-04. 
17. ^ "Sack Wollongong Council: ICAC Commissioner". ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/03/03/2178201.htm. 
18. ^ "Fact Sheet". Corruption allegations affecting Wollongong City Council. Independent Commission Against Corruption. 2008-10-08. http://www.icac.nsw.gov.au/documents/doc_download/3144-fact-sheet-corruption-allegations-affecting-wollongong-city-council. Retrieved 2010-12-24. 
19. ^ "Recommendations for prosecutions and updates". Corruption allegations affecting Wollongong City Council. Independent Commission Against Corruption. 2010. http://www.icac.nsw.gov.au/investigations/past-investigations/article/2477. Retrieved 2010-12-24. 
20. ^ Laurel-Lee Roderick (19 December 2009). "Gabrielle Kibble resigns from Wollongong Council". Illawarra Mercury (Fairfax Media). http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/news/local/news/general/gabrielle-kibble-resigns-from-wollongong-council/1709524.aspx. Retrieved 10 November 2010. 
21. ^ "Undertaking the role of the Lord Mayor and elected Councillors". Wollongong City Council. 5 August 2010. http://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/council/governance/Pages/administrators.aspx. Retrieved 10 November 2010. 

Coordinates: 34°25′S 150°53′E / 34.417°S 150.883°E / -34.417; 150.883