The Borough of Wonthaggi was a local government area about south-southeast of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The borough covered an area of , and existed from 1911 until 1994. Unlike many local government areas, it was constituted under its own Act of Parliament, rather than the Local Government Act.
History
Wonthaggi was constituted under the Wonthaggi Borough Act 1910, by the Government of Victoria on 26 January 1911. The Local Government Act 1903 stipulated that boroughs could not exceed in size, and that the longest straight-line distance between boundaries could not exceed – neither was true of Wonthaggi. However, it did meet the stipulation of a minimum of 500 householders, and a minimum rate revenue of £300.Local Government Act 1903 (Vic.), Section 16(2), as cited in Victorian Municipal Directory (1915), p.293.
The borough was subdivided into wards in 1924, and again in 1975. In 1977, it absorbed North Wonthaggi from the Shire of Bass, and in August 1978, the ward system was abolished, after which all nine councillors represented the entire borough. Accessed at State Library of Victoria, La Trobe Reading Room.
On 2 December 1994, the Borough of Wonthaggi was abolished, and along with the Shires of Bass and Phillip Island, and parts of the City of Cranbourne and the Shires of Korumburra and Woorayl, was merged into the newly created Bass Coast Shire.
Towns and localities
Towns Cape Paterson Wonthaggi*
Suburbs Harmers Haven North Wonthaggi South Dudley
* Council seat.
Population Year Population 1954 4,461 1958 4,560* 1961 4,190 1966 4,022 1971 3,825 1976 4,0211976 census population was 4,889 after the 1977 redistribution. 1981 5,165 1986 5,931 1991 6,446
* Estimate in the 1958 Victorian Year Book.
References
External links
Victorian Places - Wonthaggi