Council history
The Darramuragal or Darug people have been in this area for thousands of years, long before the arrival of European settlers. They lived from Newcastle down to Sydney, mostly along the foreshores of the harbour.
Learn more about our Aboriginal heritage.
1800s
European settlement
One of the first white settlers to live in Ku-ring-gai was William Henry, who farmed the land next to the Lane Cove River from 1814. The early population consisted of workers and farmers who lived in small, isolated communities.
Early population growth
The population grew as major transport routes by land and water were built in the mid-1800s. The construction of the railway in 1890 and introduction of local government transformed the region from a series of isolated farming communities into a collection of sought-after suburbs.
1900s
Formation of local government
The Shire of Ku-ring-gai was formed with six councillors in March 1906, with William Cowan elected as the first Shire President. A small Council building was constructed in 1911 on the main road in Gordon replacing the temporary offices that had been on the grounds of St John's Church.
The inter-war period saw vast improvements in infrastructure and a period of urban consolidation. With the increase in building applications, local government needed to expand. In 1928, the Shire was converted into a Municipality with four wards, each represented by three aldermen. George Christie was elected as Mayor of the provisional Council. The original section of the present Council Chambers was also opened in 1928. After municipal elections took place in March 1929, Walter Cresswell O’Reilly was elected Mayor of the new Council.
World War II
During World War II, Ku-ring-gai hosted major Australian defence agencies and bases, and a number of community organisations formed to help the war effort. Among them were the Ku-ring-gai Women War Workers, who supplied knitted goods to soldiers fighting abroad, and the Ku-ring-gai Voluntary Aid Detachments, who cared for sick and wounded soldiers upon their return to Australia.
Population growth
Ku-ring-gai’s population doubled between 1950 and 1980, growing to roughly 100,000 people. Over the years, Council has built new facilities to service the growing population, including four libraries, two public golf courses, an arts centre, youth centres and a swimming pool.
2000s
Centenary of Ku-ring-gai Council
We commissioned an official history book, Under the Canopy, to mark our 100th anniversary in 2006. The book takes a detailed and colourful look at life in Ku-ring-gai and how it has changed over the past century.
Under the Canopy is written by Pauline Curby and Virginia Macleod.
You can find Under the Canopy at your local library or purchase a copy from Customer Service.
Present day
Today, Ku-ring-gai is a culturally diverse society that still retains much of its unique natural and built heritage.
To find out more about Ku-ring-gai’s history, visit your local library.