The City of Williamstown was a
local government area about southwest of
Melbourne
Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...
, the state capital of
Victoria
Victoria most commonly refers to:
* Victoria (Australia), a state of the Commonwealth of Australia
* Victoria, British Columbia, provincial capital of British Columbia, Canada
* Victoria (mythology), Roman goddess of Victory
* Victoria, Seychelle ...
,
Australia. The city covered an area of , and existed from 1919 until 1994.
History
Williamstown was first incorporated as a
borough
A borough is an administrative division in various English-speaking countries. In principle, the term ''borough'' designates a self-governing walled town, although in practice, official use of the term varies widely.
History
In the Middle A ...
on 14 March 1856. It became a town on 2 April 1886, and was proclaimed a city on 17 May 1919. In May 1962, it annexed from the
Shire of Altona.
[ Accessed at State Library of Victoria, La Trobe Reading Room.]
On 22 June 1994, the City of Williamstown was abolished, and along with the
City of Altona
The City of Altona was a local government area about west of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The city covered an area of , and existed from 1957 until 1994.
History
The city was named after the town of Altona near Ham ...
and a couple of small neighbouring areas, was merged into the newly created
City of Hobsons Bay.
Town Hall
Council meetings were held in a variety of locations in Williamstown until a permanent home was constructed. In its early years, the council met at the Police Court, as well as a rented property in Nelson Place, and later at the newly erected Court House. In 1869, the council took over the Town Hall in Thompson Street, finally moving to the purpose-built municipal building in Ferguson Street, known as
Williamstown Town Hall, which was officially opened in 1927.
[ The facility is still used for council meetings by the City of Hobsons Bay, although not as much as its Altona counterpart.
]
Electricity supply
Commencing in 1916, the municipality ran its own electricity supply utility for a number of years, the first customer being connected in July 1917. After six months in operation, it had around 400 customers, increasing to around 5,600 by 1934.[
]
Wards
On 28 October 1887, the City of Williamstown was subdivided into four wards:
* South Ward
* North Ward
* Centre Ward
* Victoria Ward
Suburbs
* Newport
* Spotswood (shared with the City of Footscray
The City of Footscray was a local government area about west of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The city covered an area of and existed from 1859 until 1994. Its civic centre, after which it was named, was Footscray.
Hi ...
)
* Williamstown*
* Williamstown North
* Council seat.
Population
* Estimate in the 1958 Victorian Year Book.
References
External links
Victorian Places - Williamstown City
{{DEFAULTSORT:City Of Williamstown
Williamstown
1994 disestablishments in Australia
1856 establishments in Australia
City of Hobsons Bay
Williamstown, Victoria