Celebrating 160 years of local government in Parramatta

City of Parramatta Council has marked 160 years since the first official local government was formed with a special ceremony at the site of the City’s future civic centre.

On Saturday 27 November, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, Governor of New South Wales joined by Lord Mayor Cr Steven Issa, unveiled a foundation plaque in Parramatta Square commemorating the Proclamation of the Municipality of Parramatta on 27 November 1861.

The plaque will be laid at Parramatta’s newest civic, community and cultural building, Parramatta Hive (Phive), located adjacent to the historic Town Hall in Parramatta Square.

Currently under construction, Phive represents the future of the City and will be the beating heart of the CBD. The six-storey multi-purpose building – due to open in 2022 – will be home to the new Council chambers, a world-class library, a Discovery exhibition centre and cultural heritage spaces. 

“Parramatta has come a long way in 160 years and this milestone recognises the incredible growth of our great City,” Cr Issa said.

“It’s important that we acknowledge and remember Parramatta’s long and rich history through this transformation, from its Dharug origins to its more recent past. It’s fitting that this plaque will be housed at Phive, the community, cultural and civic heart of our City.

“The future of Parramatta is very bright, and I can only imagine what will be achieved in the next 160 years.”

The City of Parramatta has a long history of local governance. Prior to European settlement, local Aboriginal groups had their own form of authority where elders made decisions on behalf of their tribes.

A formal system of local government was established following colonisation, developed from reforms to the feudal management of towns, cities and regional areas in England.

Sir John Young, Governor of New South Wales, proclaimed the ‘Municipality of Parramatta’ on 27 November 1861. 

This was followed by an election on 20 December 1861, and the first meeting of Council on 2 January 1862 in the courthouse, which saw emancipated convict John Williams elected as Parramatta’s first Mayor.

Learn more about the 160-year history of Parramatta Municipal Council