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Coordinates: 34°02′S 151°03′E / 34.033°S 151.050°E / -34.033; 151.050
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{{For|the county in Scotland|Sutherland}}
{{Other uses|Sutherland (disambiguation)}}
{{about|the local government area|the suburb|Sutherland, New South Wales}}

{{Infobox Australian Place | type = lga
{{Use Australian English|date=September 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox Australian place
| type = lga
| name = Sutherland Shire
| name = Sutherland Shire
| state = nsw
| state = nsw
| image = Sutherland shire montage.jpg
| image = Sutherland lga sydney.png
| caption = Location in [[Sydney|Metropolitan Sydney]]
| caption = [[Cronulla, New South Wales|Cronulla]]; [[Cronulla sand dunes, Kurnell Peninsula|Sand dunes]]; Captain Cook Memorial Obelisk at [[Kurnell, New South Wales|Kurnell]]; The suburb of [[Sutherland, New South Wales|Sutherland]]
| pop = {{formatnum:219828}}
| pop = 218464
| pop_year = {{CensusAU|2016}}
| pop_footnotes = (2009)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/3218.0Main%20Features42008-09?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=3218.0&issue=2008-09&num=&view=|title=Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2008–09|author=Australian Bureau of Statistics|date=30 March 2010|accessdate=3 June 2010}}</ref> ([[List of cities in Australia by population#25 largest Local Government Areas by population|8th]])
| pop_footnotes = <ref name="Census2016">{{Census 2016 AUS|id=LGA17150 |name=Sutherland Shire (A) |access-date=5 July 2017 |quick=on}}</ref>
| density = 642.0
| pop2 = 229213
| latd =34 |latm=2 |lats=0
| pop2_year = 2018 est.
| longd =151 |longm=3 |longs=0
| pop2_footnotes = <ref name=ABS3218.0>{{cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/3218.02017-18|title=3218.0 – Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2017–18|publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics|date=27 March 2019|access-date=27 March 2019}} Estimated resident population (ERP) at 30 June 2018.</ref>
| area = 335
| est =
| poprank = 13th
| density =
| seat = [[Sutherland, New South Wales|Sutherland]]
| coordinates = {{Coord|34|02|S|151|03|E|display=inline,title|scale:150000}}
| mayor = Clr Phil Blight
| area = 370
| region = [[Sydney|Metropolitan Sydney]]
| logo =
| est = 6 March 1906
| seat = Council Chambers [[Sutherland, New South Wales|Sutherland]]
| url = http://www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au/
| mayor = Jack Boyd
| stategov = [[Electoral district of Cronulla|Cronulla]], [[Electoral district of Heathcote|Heathcote]], [[Electoral district of Menai|Menai]], [[Electoral district of Miranda|Miranda]]
| region = [[Sydney|Metropolitan Sydney]]<br />
| fedgov = [[Division of Cook|Cook]], [[Division of Hughes|Hughes]]
| logo = Logo of Sutherland Shire Council.svg
| near-nw = [[City of Hurstville]]
| url = http://www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au
| near-n = [[Municipality of Kogarah]]
| near-ne = [[City of Rockdale]]
| stategov = [[Electoral district of Cronulla|Cronulla]]
| stategov2= [[Electoral district of Heathcote|Heathcote]]
| near-e = ''[[Bate Bay]]''
| stategov3= [[Electoral district of Miranda|Miranda]]
| near-w = [[City of Liverpool, New South Wales|City of Liverpool]]
| fedgov = [[Division of Cook|Cook]]
| near-sw = [[City of Campbelltown, New South Wales|City of Campbelltown]]
| near-s = [[City of Wollongong]]
| fedgov2 = [[Division of Hughes|Hughes]]

| near-se =
| near-n = [[Georges River Council|Georges River]]
| near-ne = [[Bayside Council|Bayside]]
| near-e = [[Tasman Sea]]
| near-se = [[Tasman Sea]]
| near-s = [[City of Wollongong|Wollongong]]
| near-nw = [[City of Canterbury-Bankstown|Canterbury-Bankstown]]
| near-w = [[Southern Sydney]]
}}
}}


The '''Sutherland Shire''', is a [[Local Government Areas of Australia|Local Government Area]] in the [[Southern Sydney]] region of [[Sydney]], [[Australia]]. Geographically, it is the area to the south of [[Botany Bay]] and the [[Georges River]]. The administrative centre of the local government is located in the suburb of [[Sutherland, New South Wales|Sutherland]], with council chambers located in Eton Street.
'''Sutherland Shire''' is a [[Local government in Australia|local government area]] (LGA) in the [[Southern Sydney|southern]] region of [[Sydney]], in the state of [[New South Wales]], [[Australia]]. Sutherland Shire is located approximately 26 kilometres south-southwest of the [[Sydney central business district]], and comprises an area of {{convert|370|km2}}. As at the {{CensusAU|2016}}, Sutherland Shire has an estimated population of {{formatnum:218464}}.<ref name="Census2016"/> The area is colloquially known as '''"The Shire"''', and has featured in several reality television series.


Geographically, it is the area directly to the south of [[Botany Bay]] and the [[Georges River]]. Sutherland Shire is {{convert|26|km}} south-southwest of the [[Sydney central business district|Sydney city centre]], and is bordered by [[Bayside Council]], [[City of Canterbury-Bankstown]], [[City of Wollongong]] and the [[Georges River Council]] local government areas.
It is known as the Birthplace of Modern Australia, as it was the first landing site of [[James Cook|Captain James Cook]], who went ashore onto what is now the suburb of [[Kurnell, New South Wales|Kurnell]] on 29 April 1770. It was originally intended to be the site of the first British Settlement, before Sydney Cove was chosen as the location during the [[First Fleet]].<ref>http://www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au/ssc/home.nsf/Web+Pages/968960D9346BADD3CA256D56001BAC2A?OpenDocument</ref>


The administrative centre of Sutherland Shire is located in the suburb of [[Sutherland, New South Wales|Sutherland]], with the council chambers located on Eton Street. As of 10 October 2024, the [[mayor]] of the Sutherland Shire is [[Alderman|Cr.]] Jack Boyd, a [[New South Wales Labor Party|Labor Party]] member.<ref name="mayor">[https://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Council/About-Council/Councillors-Wards-and-Elections/Sutherland-Shire-Councillors Sutherland Shire Councillors] Sutherland Shire Council</ref>
With a Population of 219,828, it is the second most populous Local Government Area in Sydney & [[New South Wales]] (behind [[City of Blacktown|The City of Blacktown]]), and the 8th largest overall in Australia. It is 26&nbsp;km (16&nbsp;mi) south of [[Sydney central business district|Sydney CBD]], and is bordered by LGA's, [[City of Bankstown|The City of Bankstown]], [[City of Liverpool (New South Wales)|The City of Liverpool]], [[City of Hurstville|The City of Hurstville]] and [[City of Campbelltown (New South Wales)|The City of Campbelltown]]. The Sutherland Shire is also known simply as '''"The Shire"'''.<ref>http://www.theshire.com.au/</ref>


Sutherland Shire contains what was the [[European maritime exploration of Australia#18th century|first landing site]] of Lieutenant [[James Cook]], who went ashore onto what is now the suburb of [[Kurnell, New South Wales|Kurnell]] on 29 April 1770. It was originally intended to be the location of the first [[History of Australia (1788–1850)|British Settlement]], before [[Sydney Cove]] was chosen instead by [[Arthur Phillip]] of the [[First Fleet]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au/ssc/home.nsf/Web+Pages/968960D9346BADD3CA256D56001BAC2A?OpenDocument |access-date=15 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091011193947/http://www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au/ssc/home.nsf/Web+Pages/968960D9346BADD3CA256D56001BAC2A?OpenDocument |archive-date=11 October 2009 |title=Birthplace of modern Australia}}</ref>
== History ==


== Suburbs and localities in the local government area ==
=== Aboriginal heritage ===
<!-- If removing entries from/adding to this list, also remove from/add to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Sydney_Sutherland_suburbs -->
[[Image:Sutherland lga sydney.png|thumb|left|Location in [[Sydney]]]]
<mapframe text="A geoshape of the Sutherland Shire" width=300 height=300 zoom=10 latitude=-34.0899 longitude=151.0606>
The original inhabitants of the Sutherland area were some clans of the [[Tharawal people|Dharawal people]]. Archaeological work in the Sutherland Shire has revealed evidence for [[Indigenous Australians|Aboriginal]] settlement dating back at least 8,500 years. The original coastline around Sydney has retreated about 20&nbsp;km and that those flooded coastal plains may hold evidence showing occupation of this area going back well beyond the 8,500 years revealed in the 1966 Archaeological exploration.<ref>http://www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au/ssc/home.nsf/AllDocs/RWPD7F788C8EBBED143CA2575F500013BC6?OpenDocument</ref>
{

"type": "ExternalData",
Within the [[Royal National Park]], field surveys have revealed many hundreds of Aboriginal rock shelters. In other locations (The Military Area near [[Holsworthy, New South Wales|Holsworthy]] and Darkes Forrest) there are thousands of sites, camping areas and sacred places. These areas mentioned have not been affected greatly by European occupation and building and may give a clearer example for the quality of life and abundance of resources in Sutherland/Liverpool areas.
"service": "geoshape",

"ids": "Q1818997"
Since 1966 when there was an Archaeological dig in Cabbage Tree Basin archaeologists have uncovered parts of an extensive open-air [[midden]] or cooking and camp sites. Successive layers of habitation show the diet of the native Aborigines - [[oyster]]s, [[mussel]]s, [[Australasian snapper|snapper]], [[bream]], and [[Sydney cockle]]. There is also evidence of [[Pinniped|seal]], [[dolphin]], a range of [[marsupial]]s, [[dingo]] and even [[whale]]. Several edge-ground [[axe]]s have also found.
}
</mapframe>
Suburbs in Sutherland Shire are:
{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|
* [[Alfords Point, New South Wales|Alfords Point]]
* [[Bangor, New South Wales|Bangor]]
* [[Barden Ridge, New South Wales|Barden Ridge]]
* [[Bonnet Bay, New South Wales|Bonnet Bay]]
* [[Bundeena, New South Wales|Bundeena]]
* [[Burraneer, New South Wales|Burraneer]]
* [[Caringbah, New South Wales|Caringbah]]
* [[Caringbah South, New South Wales|Caringbah South]]
* [[Como, New South Wales|Como]]
* [[Cronulla, New South Wales|Cronulla]]
* [[Dolans Bay, New South Wales|Dolans Bay]]
* [[Engadine, New South Wales|Engadine]]
* [[Grays Point, New South Wales|Grays Point]]
* [[Greenhills Beach, New South Wales|Greenhills Beach]]
* [[Gymea, New South Wales|Gymea]]
* [[Gymea Bay, New South Wales|Gymea Bay]]
* [[Heathcote, New South Wales|Heathcote]]
* [[Illawong, New South Wales|Illawong]]
* [[Jannali, New South Wales|Jannali]]
* [[Kangaroo Point, New South Wales|Kangaroo Point]]
* [[Kareela, New South Wales|Kareela]]
* [[Kirrawee, New South Wales|Kirrawee]]
* [[Kurnell, New South Wales|Kurnell]]
* [[Lilli Pilli, New South Wales|Lilli Pilli]]
* [[Loftus, New South Wales|Loftus]]
* [[Lucas Heights, New South Wales|Lucas Heights]]
* [[Maianbar, New South Wales|Maianbar]]
* [[Menai, New South Wales|Menai]]
* [[Miranda, New South Wales|Miranda]]
* [[Oyster Bay, New South Wales|Oyster Bay]]
* [[Port Hacking, New South Wales|Port Hacking]]
* [[Sandy Point, New South Wales|Sandy Point]]
* [[Sutherland, New South Wales|Sutherland]]
* [[Sylvania, New South Wales|Sylvania]]
* [[Sylvania Waters, New South Wales|Sylvania Waters]]
* [[Taren Point, New South Wales|Taren Point]]
* [[Waterfall, New South Wales|Waterfall]]
* [[Woolooware, New South Wales|Woolooware]]
* [[Woronora, New South Wales|Woronora]]
* [[Woronora Heights, New South Wales|Woronora Heights]]
* [[Yarrawarrah, New South Wales|Yarrawarrah]]
* [[Yowie Bay, New South Wales|Yowie Bay]]
}}


Localities and features within Sutherland Shire include:
There are many existing sites where paintings and engravings of great age show changes in art style over thousands of years. Some of these changes can be linked to the extinction of some animals in the area and also with the coming of [[European ethnic groups|European]]s to Sutherland. Some have interpreted these changes in style to changes in culture and people which would indicate that there have been a number of changes of communities over time.<ref>http://www.ssrguides.org/about.php?sub=areahistory History of the Sutherland Shire - Sutherland Shire Region Guides</ref>
{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|

* [[Audley, New South Wales|Audley]]
=== European settlement ===
* [[Caravan Head, New South Wales|Caravan Head]]
[[Image:Cook's landing at Botany Bay.jpg|thumb|left|Cook landing at Botany Bay]]
* [[Como West, New South Wales|Como West]]
[[Europe]]an discovery of what is now Sutherland Shire was made by [[Lieutenant]] [[James Cook]], who entered [[Botany Bay]] on 29 April 1770. Cook and his party explored around [[Kurnell, New South Wales|Kurnell]] [[Peninsula]], and left the bay on May 6. During their brief stay, a [[Scottish people|Scottish]] seaman named Forbes Sutherland died of [[tuberculosis]]. In his honour, Cook named the northwest point of the peninsula Point Sutherland.<ref>http://www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au/ssc/rwpattach.nsf/viewasattachmentPersonal/FactSheet_5_FINAL_20041020.pdf/$file/FactSheet_5_FINAL_20041020.pdf</ref>
* [[Gundamaian, New South Wales|Gundamaian]]

* [[Royal National Park]]
The British government needed a new site for transported [[Convictism in Australia|convict]]s as they had lost their American colonies following defeat in the [[American Revolutionary War]]. Botany Bay was chosen as the new penal settlement and the [[First Fleet]] under Governor [[Arthur Phillip]] anchored off Kurnell on 18 January 1788. After sending a party to clear land for settlement, Phillip soon realised the area was unsuitable. There was lack of shelter for ships, inadequate water and poor soil. On 24 January, two [[France|French]] ships were sighted off the coast, causing Phillip to raise English colours near Sutherland Point. Governor Phillip sailed north to explore [[Port Jackson]], and eventually settled at [[Sydney Cove]].
* [[Sylvania Heights, New South Wales|Sylvania Heights]]

* [[Warumbul, New South Wales|Warumbul]]
The first [[landowner]] in Sutherland Shire was James Birnie, a mercantile trader who was granted by promise 700 acres (2.8&nbsp;km²) at Kurnell in 1815.<ref name="oldstudy">http://www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au/ssc/rwpattach.nsf/viewasattachmentPersonal/Old+Study+1+scanned.pdf/$file/Old+Study+1+scanned.pdf</ref> After the completion of official surveying, a large part of what is now Sutherland Shire was proclaimed as the Hundred of Woronora by Governor [[Richard Bourke]] in 1835. [[Title (property)|Title]] to land was not granted by [[the Crown]] until 1856, before which there was practically no settlement. [[Lumber|Timber]] cutting was the primary industry, supplemented by shell gathering in the [[Port Hacking]] area.
* [[Woronora Dam, New South Wales|Woronora Dam]]

}}
With the opening of Crown Lands sales in the Shire, [[Thomas Holt]] purchased 12,000 acres (49&nbsp;km²). His developmental projects included [[oyster]] farms,<ref>[http://www.ssec.org.au/our_environment/our_bioregion/towra/about/history.htm Towra Point Nature Reserve<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> cattle [[grazing]], and [[coal]] mining.<ref name="oldstudy" /> The investment which proved profitable however, were his timber leases. He constructed a magnificent manor on the foreshores of [[Sylvania, New South Wales|Sylvania]], called Sutherland House, based on English feudal lines.<ref>*''The Book of Sydney Suburbs'', Compiled by Frances Pollon, Angus & Robertson Publishers, 1990, Published in Australia ISBN 0-207-14495-8</ref>

=== Development of transport ===
[[Image:Sutherlandtrain1920.jpg|thumb|left|A train in Sutherland circa 1920]]
The main mode of transport in the area was originally by water. Farmers' ships sailed up the coast into Botany Bay, and up the [[Georges River|Georges]] and [[Woronora River|Woronora]] rivers, avoiding the [[wharf]]age and [[Customs|custom dues]] at Port Jackson. The first public road, the Illawarra Road (now called the Old Illawarra Road) to the "Five Islands" (now [[Wollongong, New South Wales|Wollongong]]), was constructed between 1842 and 1845 with convict labour. A new southern line of road was completed in 1864, linking up with the Illawarra Road at [[Engadine, New South Wales|Engadine]]. Today this virtually is the line of the [[Princes Highway]], the main north-south thoroughfare through Sutherland Shire.

A railway line was extended from [[Hurstville, New South Wales|Hurstville]] in 1884 to develop the rich Illawarra district. The railway brought into being firstly a huge [[shanty town]] on the heights of [[Como, New South Wales|Como]], and later developed the area into a holiday centre. [[Sutherland railway station, Sydney|Sutherland Railway Station]] was opened in 1885, named after John Sutherland, a Minister of Works during the 1870s who had argued most forcefully for the railway.

At this time, the greater part of the Shire was connected only by access tracks. A road soon opened between the railway station and [[Cronulla Beach]], catering mostly to families and fishing parties. This was followed by the Sutherland-Cronulla steam [[tram]] service, which was inaugurated in 1911. Not only did the service greatly increase the popularity of the [[Cronulla, New South Wales|Cronulla]] beaches, but it was of great advantage to the slowly developing business interests in the Shire.

Increasing motor traffic caused a falling-off of passengers and the passenger service close in 1931. The goods service ceased the following year. The increased traffic with the north led to the opening of the first bridge into the Sutherland Shire, at [[Tom Uglys Bridge|Tom Ugly's Point]], in 1929. The six-lane [[Captain Cook Bridge, New South Wales|Captain Cook Bridge]] over the Georges River, spanning Rocky Point and [[Taren Point, New South Wales|Taren Point]], was opened in 1965, replacing the completely inadequate ferry service.<ref name="sutherland.nsw.gov.au">http://www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au/ Sutherland Shire Council website</ref>

=== Local Government Development ===
[[Image:Caringbah histpan.jpg|thumb|center|450px|Panorama of Caringbah, circa 1920]]
Coastal and river frontage areas, such as Como, Illawong, Cronulla, Illawarra and [[Yowie Bay, New South Wales|Yowie Bay]], became popular as country retreats. A form of voluntary local government was attempted in 1888, but [[law and order (politics)|law and order]] was still administered by the [[court]] at [[Liverpool, New South Wales|Liverpool]] until 1905. In that year, the ''Local Government (Shires) Act'' provided that the whole of [[New South Wales]] be divided into [[shire]]s. The State Governor, [[Harry Rawson]] selected the name, and proclaimed this district "Sutherland, No. 133" on 6 March 1906 and fixed the boundaries. At the time the Shire had 1600 residents, and it was divided into three [[Riding (division)|Riding]]s.
[[Image:Cronulla beach pre 1950s.jpg|thumb|right|Cronulla Beach prior to the 1950s]]
With only a small rates base, one of the early problems of the Council was the provision of new roads. The construction of the Sutherland-Cronulla tramway by the Railway Commissioner went far in stimulating business activity and driving land sales. The population of the Shire increased from 2,896 in 1911, when the tramway opened, to over 7,500 in 1913. By 1931 the population had exceeded 12,000. It was not until the early 1950s that this district of scattered dwellings, vacant blocks and quiet villages became a suburban area of Sydney. Until this time Sutherland Shire was not considered part of Sydney.

Associated with this growth of population was industrial and commercial development. The Captain Cook Drive from [[Caringbah, New South Wales|Caringbah]] to Kurnell was constructed in 1953 in conjunction with the establishment in 1956 of the Australian Oil Refinery at Kurnell. At Lucas Heights, the Australian Atomic Energy Commission (now the [[Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation]]) built its research station complex in 1958.

In terms of residential development, one of the most imaginative homebuilding concepts has been [[Sylvania Waters, New South Wales|Sylvania Waters]]. Here, individually designed family homes have been built around a series of man-made canals. The urban release of land in the [[Menai, New South Wales|Menai]] district, to the west of the Woronora River, commenced in the 1970s.<ref name="sutherland.nsw.gov.au"/>
[[Image:Cronulla Burraneer 1.JPG|thumb|View of Cronulla from [[Burraneer, New South Wales|Burraneer]]]]
=== Contemporary Sutherland Shire ===
The Sutherland Shire is currently the second most populous Local Government Area in Sydney, and 8th in Australia overall. The current Mayor is Phil Blight of the [[Australian Labor Party]], who was elected on the 20 September 2010.<ref>http://www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au/ssc/home.nsf/HeadingPagesDisplay/About+Your+CouncilMayor+and+councillors?opendocument</ref>

In December 2005, following incidents on Shire beaches culminating in an assault on a lifeguard by youth of Lebanese descent, an anonymous message was sent out by SMS, publicised by major media outlets in Australia, that called on people to gather at Cronulla beach on the following Sunday and attack "wogs and lebs". In the days that followed, [[2005 Cronulla riots|a series of riots and counter riots broke out in Cronulla]] and other beachside suburbs in Sydney's east which saw numerous assaults. There was minor property damage and one non-fatal stabbing, although there were many people arrested and extensive national and international media interest.

== Geography ==
[[Image:Port Hacking Estuary.JPG|thumb|right|[[Port Hacking]] estuary]]
Under the 1853 proclamation, the western boundary of district was the Woronora River. With the formation of the Sutherland Shire in 1906, the western boundary was extended to take in more agricultural land in an area which is now modern day [[Menai, New South Wales|Menai]]. In 1919, the [[Illawong, New South Wales|Illawong]] area was also transferred to Sutherland Shire. The Shire now has an area of 370&nbsp;km², of which 173&nbsp;km² is state-designated national parkland.

The northern border of the Shire can be crossed via four bridges: three road bridges ([[Alfords Point Bridge, New South Wales|Alfords Point]], Sylvania Waters and Taren Point) and one railway bridge (Como). To the west, the Heathcote Road leading out of the Shire passes by the [[Holsworthy Barracks|Holsworthy military reserve]]. To the south, the [[Princes Highway]] runs out of [[Waterfall, New South Wales|Waterfall]] towards the city of [[Wollongong]]. Drivers entering the Shire are greeted with signs saying "Welcome to the Sutherland Shire. Birthplace of Modern Australia". The eastern border is bounded by the [[Tasman Sea]].

On the east the Shire has a varying landscape of rugged sea cliffs and sandy beaches, and swampy bay coasts backed by sand dunes. To the west the surface consists of a broad plateau rising gently to the southwest, and cut into by several deep river gorges.<ref>http://www.ssrguides.org/about.php?sub=map Location of the Sutherland Shire - Sutherland Shire Region Guides</ref>

=== Geology ===
[[Image:SandDunesSutherlandShire.jpg|thumb|[[Cronulla sand dunes, Kurnell Peninsula]]]]
The [[geology]] of the Sutherland Shire, whilst sharing characteristics with the [[North Shore (Sydney)|North Shore]], is very different from the western and central suburbs of Sydney. The oldest rock unit in the Shire is the Illawarra Coal Measures, exposed from drilling at [[Helensburgh, New South Wales|Helensburgh]] where it is 305 metres below [[sea level]]. Above the [[coal]]-bearing rocks is found the Narrabeen Group, mostly made up of layers of [[sandstone]] and characteristic red [[claystone]] beds. Overlying the Narrabeen Group is the Hawkesbury Sandstone, the rock unit most characteristic of the Shire. Occasional patches of Ashfield shale overlay the Hawkesbury sandstone. Some time later than the [[Triassic]] period - possibly early Tertiary - minor volcanic activity occurred in the region. This took the form of [[intrusion]] of a number of [[dike (geology)|dykes]] of [[basalt]]ic rock which forced their way up through the sedimentary rocks. Due to the wetting and drying action of the weather the basaltic rock of the dykes has changed to clay.

From the end of the Triassic period to the middle of the [[Tertiary]] period, soft material was worn down or removed by wind and running water. In the final stages of this period of [[erosion]] the climate was apparently rather wetter and more humid than today's, causing the exposed rocks to change and form [[laterite]] soil, which is abundant in the Shire.

=== River system ===
[[Image:Gymea Bay 2.JPG|thumb|right|[[Gymea Bay, New South Wales|Gymea Bay]]]]
A little later in the Tertiary, tilting occurred south of the [[Georges River]]. The slow [[Tectonic uplift|uplift]], taking perhaps several million years, formed the present Woronora Plateau, a surface which rises gently in the south. This process caused the river system in the Shire to flow in steeper watercourses. They then became more active, carving the steep [[Canyon|gorges]] of [[Woronora River|Woronora]], [[Port Hacking|Hacking]], Georges Rivers and their [[tributary|tributaries]] which can be seen today. [[Waterfall]]s such as those at Waterfall and Undola also formed during this period. Water supplies within the shire are of two kinds. The main source is the surface supply provided by the [[Woronora Dam]], which is built in the deep gorge of Woronora River. A second source exists in the form of [[Groundwater|underground water]].

During the last [[ice age]], the rivers had to do additional work cutting down through the rocks to reach the lower and more distant ocean, leading to the "valley-in-valley" shape of many of the deep gorges in the Shire. When sea levels rose again, the silt and sand carried by the rivers gradually built up a considerable thickness of [[sediment]]. Sediment filled the area between Kurnell (then an island) and Miranda. Sand [[dune]]s began to accumulate in the Kurnell area and the mud and sand flats of Quibray and [[Gunnamatta Bay]]s began to form. The Kurnell sand dunes have provided a cheap source of sand for the southern suburbs of Sydney but in the process of exploitation this area has been robbed of its character and the removal of vegetation has opened the way to erosion.

=== Royal National Park ===
{{Main|Royal National Park}}
The Premier [[John Robertson (New South Wales Premier)|John Robertson]] dedicated 18,000 acres (73&nbsp;km²) to "The National Park" (now the [[Royal National Park]]) in 1879, making it the second oldest park of its kind in the world after [[Yellowstone National Park]] in [[United States|America]]. "The National Park" was publicly gazetted as a National Park in 1879, whilst no public gazette record for [[Yellowstone National Park]] until sometime in the 1880's, making a valid claim for The Royal National Park being the oldest in the world as only after being publicly gazetted were national parks recognised. In 1880 the Park was increased to 33,000 acres (134&nbsp;km²). Today it is just under 44,000 acres (178&nbsp;km²). The National Park was given the prefix "Royal" after the visit there of [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Queen Elizabeth II]] in 1954.

=== Urban Structure ===
The Sutherland Shire is predominantly a residential area but also has substantial industrial, commercial and rural areas. The major commercial areas of the [[Shire#Shires in Australia|shire]] are located in the suburbs of [[Sutherland, New South Wales|Sutherland]], [[Miranda, New South Wales|Miranda]] (home to a large [[Westfield Group|Westfield]] shopping centre, traditionally known as Miranda Fair), [[Cronulla, New South Wales|Cronulla]], [[Caringbah, New South Wales|Caringbah]], [[Menai, New South Wales|Menai]] and [[Engadine, New South Wales|Engadine]].

The Sutherland Shire also includes the suburb of [[Kurnell, New South Wales|Kurnell]], close to the first landing site of [[James Cook]], Sydney's [[oil refinery]] and [[Towra Point Nature Reserve]], a [[wetland]] of international importance. The Sutherland Shire is also where Australia's first and only nuclear facility is based, at [[Lucas Heights, New South Wales|Lucas Heights]]. The reactor, run by the [[Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation]] (ANSTO) does not produce electricity but is used for the production of [[Radiopharmacology|radiopharmaceuticals]], for [[research]] and [[irradiation]].

The isolated bayside suburbs of [[Bundeena, New South Wales|Bundeena]] and [[Maianbar, New South Wales|Maianbar]] are situated between the northern edge of the Royal National park and [[Port Hacking]]. They are only accessible through the park or by the [[ferry]] from Cronulla.


== Demographics ==
== Demographics ==
[[Image:North Cronulla Beach 1.JPG|thumb|left|200px|People on [[North Cronulla Beach]]]]
[[File:North Cronulla Beach 1.JPG|thumb|250px|People on [[North Cronulla Beach]]]]
[[File:Gymea Church.JPG|thumb|250px|St Stylianos Greek Orthodox Church, [[Gymea, New South Wales|Gymea]]]]
Population growth in the shire has been limited by approval of residential development{{Citation needed|date=September 2010}}. The population increased from 193,000 in 1996 to over 202,000 in 2001. Recent growth has occurred largely in the [[Barden Ridge, New South Wales|Barden Ridge]] and Menai areas (where the new releases of land for urban development have been) and around the main railway stations. According to the [[Australian Bureau of Statistics]], the population of the Shire has been largely static over the past two years, falling slightly by 0.04% in 2003 and 0.07% in 2004. The age structure of the shire is described as being an "urban mix", with a broad range of different age groups.
[[File:Sutherland shire montage.jpg|right|thumb|250px|'''Left to right from top:''' The suburb of [[Sutherland, New South Wales|Sutherland]]''';''' [[Cronulla, New South Wales|Cronulla]] and [[Cronulla, New South Wales#Beaches|beaches]]''';''' [[Westfield Miranda|Westfield]], [[Miranda, New South Wales|Miranda]]''';''' [[Cronulla sand dunes, Kurnell Peninsula|Kurnell Sand Dunes]].]]


At the {{CensusAU|2016}}, there were 217,880 people in Sutherland Shire. Of these, 48.8% were male and 51.2% were female. Indigenous Australians made up 1.1% of the population. The median age of people in Sydney – Sutherland (Statistical Area Level 4) was 40 years. Children aged 0 – 14 years made up 19.1% of the population and people aged 65 years and over made up 16.9% of the population. Of all the people in Sydney – Sutherland (Statistical Area Level 4) aged 15 years and over, 53.7% were married and 10.4% were either separated or divorced.<ref name="Census2016"/>
38.6% of employed residents work within the Shire, whilst 61.4% work outside the Shire, especially in the Sydney [[Central business district]] (CBD) (16.8%). Of those employed within the Shire, 74.1% were residents. The largest occupations included clerical, sales and service workers, professionals and tradespersons. The unemployment rate in Sutherland Shire was lower than the Sydney Statistical Division in 2001 (3.5% compared to 6.1%). The reason for the lower rate in Sutherland Shire includes a comparatively smaller share of the population aged 18–24, who often have higher unemployment rates than older workers (25-59).
[[Image:Gymea Church.JPG|thumb|St Stylianos Greek Orthodox Church, [[Gymea, New South Wales|Gymea]]]]
Sutherland Shire has a smaller proportion of overseas-born residents and less diversity in the range of countries of birth, relative to other parts of Sydney. About 80% of Sutherland Shire residents are born in Australia, followed by those born in the [[United Kingdom]], [[New Zealand]] and [[South Africa]]. The percentage of residents claiming Australian ancestry is among the highest in Sydney.


The median [[household income|weekly income]] for residents within Sutherland Shire was higher than the national average.
Whilst the overseas population is growing, it is growing at a significantly slower rate than the rest of Sydney. A comparison of the top 5 nationalities in the Sutherland Shire with the Sydney Statistical Division in 2001 shows the major difference was a lower share of the population of [[Chinese people|Chinese]] ancestry.


The most common ancestries in Sydney – Sutherland (Statistical Area Level 4) were English 27.6%, Australian 26.3%, Irish 9.5%, Scottish 6.9% and Italian 3.2%. In Sydney – Sutherland (Statistical Area Level 4), of all occupied private dwellings, 4.6% had 1 bedroom, 21.1% had 2 bedrooms and 35.5% had 3 bedrooms. The average number of bedrooms per occupied private dwelling was 3.2. The average household size was 2.7 people.<ref name="Census2011">{{Census 2011 AUS|id=LGA17150 |name=Sutherland Shire (A) |access-date=8 December 2012 |quick=on}}</ref><ref name="Census2006"/>
More than three-quarters of the population professed a religion in 2001. Like many areas across Australia, the top five religions in Sutherland Shire in 2001 were all forms of [[Christianity]], with the largest groups including [[Shirelive Church]], [[Catholic]]s, [[Anglicanism|Anglican]]s and [[Uniting Church in Australia|Uniting Church]] adherents. Sutherland Shire also noted very little change in the share of persons with non-Christian beliefs between 1996 and 2001, which was against the broader pattern of growth.<ref>http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@census.nsf/Lookup2001Census/4CB7FA046F0D7F75CA256BBE00838705 2001 Census Information - Sutherland Shire West</ref><ref>http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@census.nsf/Lookup2001Census/A50F7EFEF7328194CA256BBE008384B8 2001 Census Information - Sutherland Shire East</ref>


{| class="wikitable"
== Facilities ==
|-
[[Image:Sutherland Hospital.jpg|thumb|[[Sutherland Hospital]]]]
!colspan=7|Selected historical census data for Sutherland Shire
=== Education ===
|-
!colspan=3|Census year !!2001<ref name="Census2001">{{Census 2001 AUS|id=LGA17150 |name=Sutherland Shire (A) |access-date=8 December 2012 |quick=on}}</ref>!!2006<ref name="Census2006">{{Census 2006 AUS|id=LGA17150 |name=Sutherland Shire (A) |access-date=8 December 2012 |quick=on}}</ref>!!2011<ref name="Census2011"/>!!2016<ref name="Census2016"/>
|-
|rowspan=4 colspan="2"|Population ||Estimated residents on [[Census in Australia|census night]] ||align="right"|{{formatnum:202158}} ||align="right"|{{formatnum:205448}} ||align="right"|{{formatnum:210863}} ||align="right"|{{formatnum:218464}}
|-
|align="right"|[[List of all local government areas in New South Wales|LGA rank in terms of size within New South Wales]] ||align="right"| ||align="right"|2<small>nd</small> ||align="right"|7<small>th</small> ||align="right"|6<small>th</small>
|-
|align="right"|% of New South Wales population ||align="right"| ||align="right"| ||align="right"|3.05% ||align="right"|2.82%
|-
|align="right"|% of Australian population ||align="right"|1.08% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;1.03% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;0.98% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;0.90%
|-
!colspan=3|Cultural and language diversity !! !! !! !!
|-
|rowspan=5 colspan=2|[[Ancestor|Ancestry]],<br />top responses ||[[Australians|Australian]]||align="right"| ||align="right"| ||align="right"|28.9% ||align="right"|26.3%
|-
|[[English people|English]]||align="right"| ||align="right"| ||align="right"|28.0% ||align="right"|27.6%
|-
|[[Irish people|Irish]]||align="right"| ||align="right"| ||align="right"|9.0% ||align="right"|9.5%
|-
|[[Scottish people|Scottish]]||align="right"| ||align="right"| ||align="right"|6.6% ||align="right"|6.9%
|-
|[[Italian people|Italian]]||align="right"| ||align="right"| ||align="right"|3.0% ||align="right"|3.2%
|-
|rowspan=5 colspan=2|Language,<br />top responses<br />(other than [[Australian English|English]]) ||[[Greek language|Greek]]||align="right"|1.9% ||align="right"|{{steady}}&nbsp;1.9% ||align="right"|{{steady}}&nbsp;1.9% ||align="right"|{{steady}}&nbsp;1.9%
|-
|[[Arabic language|Arabic]]||align="right"|1.0% ||align="right"|{{steady}}&nbsp;1.0% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;0.9% ||align="right"|{{steady}}&nbsp;0.9%
|-
|[[Cantonese]] ||align="right"|1.0% ||align="right"|{{steady}}&nbsp;1.0% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;0.9% ||align="right"|{{profit}}&nbsp;1.0%
|-
|[[Italian language|Italian]]||align="right"|1.1% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;0.9% ||align="right"|{{steady}}&nbsp;0.9% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;0.8%
|-
|[[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]]||align="right"|n/c ||align="right"|{{profit}}&nbsp;0.6% ||align="right"|{{profit}}&nbsp;0.7% ||align="right"|{{profit}}&nbsp;1.4%
|-
!colspan=3|Religious affiliation !! !! !! !!
|-
|rowspan=5 colspan=2|[[Religion in Australia|Religious]] affiliation,<br />top responses ||[[Roman Catholic Church in Australia|Catholic]]||align="right"|30.5% ||align="right"|{{profit}}&nbsp;30.6% ||align="right"|{{profit}}&nbsp;31.0% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;29.2%
|-
|[[Anglican Church of Australia|Anglican]]||align="right"|28.7% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;26.9% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;25.8% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;20.7%
|-
|[[Irreligion|No religion]]||align="right"|10.8% ||align="right"|{{profit}}&nbsp;12.9% ||align="right"|{{profit}}&nbsp;16.1% ||align="right"|{{profit}}&nbsp;24.1%
|-
|[[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia|Eastern Orthodox]]||align="right"|3.6% ||align="right"|{{profit}}&nbsp;4.1% ||align="right"|{{profit}}&nbsp;4.3% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;4.2%
|-
|[[Uniting Church of Australia|Uniting Church]]||align="right"|5.9% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;5.0% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;4.2%
|-
!colspan=3|Median weekly incomes !! !! !! !!
|-
|rowspan=2 colspan=2|Personal income ||Median weekly personal income||align="right"| ||align="right"|A$601 ||align="right"|A$718 ||align="right"|A$837
|-
|align="right"|% of Australian median income||align="right"| ||align="right"|129.0% ||align="right"|124.4% ||align="right"|126.4%
|-
|rowspan=2 colspan=2|Family income ||Median weekly family income||align="right"| ||align="right"|A$1,374 ||align="right"|A$2,014 ||align="right"|A$2,312
|-
|align="right"|% of Australian median income||align="right"| ||align="right"|133.8% ||align="right"|136.0% ||align="right"|133.3%
|-
|rowspan=2 colspan=2|Household income ||Median weekly household income||align="right"| ||align="right"|A$1,650 ||align="right"|A$1,674 ||align="right"|A$1,979
|-
|align="right"|% of Australian median income||align="right"| ||align="right"|140.9% ||align="right"|135.7% ||align="right"|137.6%
|}


==Presidents and Mayors==
There are now nearly 100 schools in the Shire including the Gymea and Loftus Colleges of [[Technical and Further Education]], a technology high school - Gymea Technology High School, more than twenty secondary schools, preschool centres and schools provided to serve children with special needs.
===Sutherland Shire Presidents 1906–1993===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Mayor
!Term
!Notes
|-
| W. G. Judd
| 1906–1910
|<ref name="MayorList">{{cite web |title=Historical list of mayors and councillors |url=https://cms.ssc.nsw.gov.au/files/sharedassets/website/document-library/governance/councillors/historical-list-of-mayors-and-councillors-pdf.pdf?11092018 |website=SSC |publisher=Sutherland Shire Council |access-date=8 September 2023}}</ref>
|-
| E. W. Hyndman
| 1911–1915
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| R. W. Cook
| 1916
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| [[Cecil Monro]]
| 1917–1918
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| J. Hill
| 1918
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| W. R. Ainsworth
| 1919–1921
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| [[Cecil Monro]]
| 1922–1927
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| R. W. Cook
| 1928
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| A. J. Hand
| 1929
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| E. S. Shaw
| 1930–1933
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| R. Bingham
| 1934
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| E. S. Shaw
| 1935–1938
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| [[Cecil Monro]]
| 1939
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| R. Bingham
| 1940–1942
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| A. H. Tucker
| 1943
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| E. S. Shaw
| 1944
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| L. J. Sandow
| 1945
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| J. W. H. Lawrence
| 1946
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| J. Skillcorn
| 1947
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| W. E. Peisley
| 1948
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| [[Cecil Monro]]
| 1949–1951
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Reginald H. Doneathy
| 1952
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Darrell G. Welch
| 1953
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Arthur G. Harper
| 1954
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Ronald J. O'Brien
| 1955–1956
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| John A. Dwyer
| 1957–1958
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Horace J. Cartledge
| 1959
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| John A. Dwyer
| 1960
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| [[Arthur Gietzelt]]
| 1961–1963
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Keith Bates
| 1964–1965
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| [[Arthur Gietzelt]]
| 1966–1971
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Ray W. Thorburn
| 1972
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Kevin Skinner
| 1973–1974
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Peter Lewis
| 1974–1975
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Michael T. P. Tynan
| 1975–1978
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Jean M. Manuel, MBE
| 1978–1979
|<ref name="MayorList"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Jean Manuel MBE |url=https://localhistory.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/103727 |website=Local History - Sutherland Shire Libraries |access-date=29 November 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| Allan Andrews
| 1979–1981
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Kevin Skinner
| 1981–1986
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Ian B. Swords
| 1986–1987
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Carol Provan
| 1987–1988
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Michael T. P. Tynan
| 1988–1989
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Douglas T. McNeil
| 1989–1990
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Don R. Carter
| 1990–1991
|<ref name="MayorList"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Trembath |first1=Murray |title='Giant of the Menai area' farewelled |url=https://www.theleader.com.au/story/7312249/giant-of-the-menai-area-farewelled/ |access-date=29 November 2024 |work=[[St George and Sutherland Shire Leader]] |publisher=[[Australian Community Media]] |date=24 June 2021 |language=en-au}}</ref>
|-
| Ian B. Swords
| 1991–1993
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|}


===Mayors of Sutherland Shire, 1993-Present===
=== Health ===
{| class="wikitable"

|-
[[Sutherland Hospital|The Sutherland Hospital]] and Kareena Private Hospital are both located at Caringbah and President Private Hospital is located in Kirrawee.
!colspan="2"| Mayor

!Party
=== Transport ===
!Term

!Notes
The area of Sutherland Shire is serviced by Veolia Transport bus services and [[City Rail]] trains on the [[Illawarra line]].
|-

| {{Australian party style|Labor}}|&nbsp;
=== Surf life saving ===
| Ian B. Swords

| [[New South Wales Labor Party|Labor]]
There are four surf life saving clubs and one offshore rescue boat located at Cronulla. The clubs and boat provide life saving and first aid services to the many visitors to the Shire's beaches. The four surf clubs from south to north are: Cronulla SLSC, North Cronulla SLSC, Elouera SLSC and Wanda SLSC. The offshore rescue boat operated by the Cronnulla District Lifesaver Rescue frequently assists in major marine rescues along the Sydney coast.
| 1 July 1993 – 1994

|<ref name="MayorList"/>
== Culture ==
|-
* The [[National Rugby League]] football club, the [[Cronulla Sharks]] are the major local professional sports team. They have an average attendance of 12,000-15,000.
| {{Australian party style|Labor}}|&nbsp;
* [[Cronulla Beach]] has been used as the setting for a number of movies, including [[Puberty Blues]].
| Genevieve Rankin
* [[North Cronulla]] Surf Life Saving club doubled as a police station in the television series [[White Collar Blue]].
|Labor
* Four winners of the worlds biggest triathlon, the [[Hawaiian Ironman]], call the Sutherland Shire home. [[Greg Welch]] (1994), [[Michellie Jones]] (2006), [[Chris McCormack (triathlete)|Chris McCormack]] (2007 & 2010) and [[Craig Alexander (triathlete)|Craig Alexander]] (2008 & 2009). A resident of the Sutherland Shire has won the race, considered the worlds toughest one day sporting event, for the last 5 years.
| 1994–1995
* The film [[The Square (2008 film)|The Square]] was shot predominantly around the Shire. <ref>http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1085507/locations</ref>
|<ref name="MayorList"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Rankin, Genevieve |url=https://www.womenaustralia.info/entries/rankin-genevieve/ |website=AWR |access-date=29 November 2024 |language=en-AU}}</ref>

|-
== Economy ==
| {{Australian party style|Independent}}|&nbsp;
[[Image:Miranda flats.JPG|thumb|right|Flats in [[Miranda, New South Wales|Miranda]]]]
| Lorraine Rodden
=== Retail ===
| [[Independent politician|Independent]]

| 1995–1996
[[Miranda, New South Wales|Miranda]] is the retail and commercial centre of the Shire, being home to Westfield Miranda along with two other shopping centres, Kiora Mall and Parkside Plaza. [[Westfield Miranda]], known locally as Miranda Fair, has several department stores and many specialist stores, and was once the largest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere. The centre is now the fourth largest shopping centre in Sydney.<ref>http://westfield.com/corporate/pdf/reports/2005AnnualReports/Group_AR_210306.pdf</ref>
|<ref name="MayorList"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Sutherland (N.S.W. : Shire). Council. - Mayors |url=https://localhistory.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/187234 |website=Local History - Sutherland Shire Libraries |access-date=29 November 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

|-
[[Southgate, Sylvania|Southgate]] is another major shopping complex, located in [[Sylvania, New South Wales|Sylvania]] and consisting of a number of supermarkets, a K-Mart and various specialty stores. [[Cronulla, New South Wales|Cronulla]] is also a popular retail and commercial centre, with numerous restaurants and cafes and a considerable number of surf stores and other clothing and fashion shops.
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}}|&nbsp;

| Kevin Schreiber
Other neighbourhood shopping centres have also developed at Caringbah, [[Bangor, New South Wales|Bangor]], Illawong and Menai together with a small centre at Alfords Point. Gymea Shopping Village attracts many people, with a regional arts centre, [[Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Arts Centre]], and a cafe and restaurant scene.
| [[New South Wales Liberal Party|Liberal]]
| 1996–1999
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| {{Australian party style|Labor}}|&nbsp;
| Ken McDonell
| Labor
| 1999–2000
|<ref name="MayorList"/><ref name="Tally">{{cite web |last1=Raue |first1=Ben |title=Sutherland council election, 2021 |url=https://www.tallyroom.com.au/archive/nswcouncil2021/sutherland2021#history |website=The Tally Room |access-date=8 September 2023 |date=5 May 2021}}</ref>
|-
| {{Australian party style|shire watch}}|&nbsp;
| Tracie Sonda
| [[Shire Watch Independents|Shire Watch]]
| 2000–2002
|<ref name="MayorList"/><ref name="Tally"/>
|-
| {{Australian party style|Labor}}|&nbsp;
| Phil Blight
| Labor
| 2002–2004
|<ref name="MayorList"/><ref name="Tally"/>
|-
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}}|&nbsp;
| Kevin Schreiber
| Liberal
| 2004–2006
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}}|&nbsp;
| David Redmond
| Liberal
| 2006–2008
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| {{Australian party style|shire watch}}|&nbsp;
| Lorraine Kelly
| [[Shire Watch Independents|Shire Watch]]
| 2008–2010
|<ref name="MayorList"/><ref name="Tally"/>
|-
| {{Australian party style|Labor}}|&nbsp;
| Phil Blight
| Labor
| 2010–2011
|<ref name="MayorList"/><ref name="Tally"/>
|-
| {{Australian party style|Independent}}|&nbsp;
| Carol Provan
| Independent
| 2011–2012
|<ref name="MayorList"/><ref name="Tally"/>
|-
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}}|&nbsp;
| Kent Johns
| Liberal
| 2012–2013
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}}|&nbsp;
| Steve Simpson
| Liberal
| 2013–2014
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}}|&nbsp;
| Kent Johns
| Liberal
| 2014–2015
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}}|&nbsp;
| Carmelo Pesce
| Liberal
| 2015–2020
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| {{Australian party style|Independent}}|&nbsp;
| Steve Simpson
| Independent
| 2020–2022
|<ref>{{cite news |last1=Trembath |first1=Murray |title=Mayor Steve Simpson calls time after 27 years |url=https://www.theleader.com.au/story/7349905/mayor-steve-simpson-calls-time-after-27-years/ |access-date=8 September 2023 |work=[[St George and Sutherland Shire Leader]] |publisher=[[Australian Community Media]] |date=21 July 2021 |language=en-AU}}</ref>
|-
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}}|&nbsp;
| Carmelo Pesce
| Liberal
| 2022 – 2024
|<ref>{{cite news |last1=Trembath |first1=Murray |title=Meet the new shire mayor: Carmelo Pesce |url=https://www.theleader.com.au/story/3387825/meet-the-new-shire-mayor-carmelo-pesce/ |access-date=8 September 2023 |work=[[St George and Sutherland Shire Leader]] |publisher=[[Australian Community Media]] |date=28 September 2015 |language=en-AU}}</ref>
|-
| {{Australian party style|Labor}}|&nbsp;
| Jack Boyd
| Labor
| 2024– present
|
|-
|}


== Council ==
== Council ==
===Current composition and election method===

Sutherland Shire Council is composed of fifteen [[councillor]]s elected [[Single transferable vote|proportionally]] as five separate [[Ward (country subdivision)|wards]], each electing three councillors. All councillors are elected for a fixed four-year term of office. The [[mayor]] is elected by the councillors at the first meeting of the council. The most recent election was held on 14 September 2024, and the makeup of the council is as follows:<ref>{{cite web |title=Sutherland Shire - Elections |url=https://vtr.elections.nsw.gov.au/LG2401/sutherland/results |website=vtr.elections.nsw.gov.au |publisher=[[New South Wales Electoral Commission]] |access-date=1 October 2024}}</ref><ref name="ind">{{cite news |last1=Trembath |first1=Murray |title=Independents Day: Pesce and Provan back in shock council election outcome |url=https://www.theleader.com.au/story/8779467/independents-hold-balance-of-power-in-sutherland-shire/ |access-date=1 October 2024 |work=[[St George and Sutherland Shire Leader]] |publisher=[[Australian Community Media]] |date=1 October 2024 |language=en-AU}}</ref>
[[Image:Sutherland Shire Council.JPG|thumb|right| Sutherland Shire Council Administration Building]]
[[Image:Yarrawarrah shops.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Yarrawarrah, New South Wales|Yarrawarrah]] windmill is a local landmark]]

Sutherland Shire Council is composed of fifteen councillors elected proportionally. The area is divided into five wards, each electing three councillors. The mayor is not directly elected.<ref name=EC>{{cite web|url = http://www.lg.elections.nsw.gov.au/LGE2008/result.Sutherland.html|title = Sutherland Shire Council|work = 2008 Election results| publisher = Electoral Commission NSW| accessdate = 2009-08-03}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> The current makeup of the council is as follows:<ref name=EC/>

{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
!colspan="2"|Party!!Councillors
!colspan="2"|Party!!Councillors
|-
|-
| {{Australian politics/party colours/Independent}}|&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}}|&nbsp;
| [[New South Wales Liberal Party|Liberal]]
| Shire Watch Independents
| align=right | 5
|-
| {{Australian politics/party colours/Independent}}|&nbsp;
| [[Independent (politician)|Independents]]
| align=right | 6
| align=right | 6
|-
|-
| {{Australian politics/party colours/Labor}}|&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}}|&nbsp;
| [[Australian Labor Party]]
| [[New South Wales Labor Party|Labor]]
| align=right | 3
| align=right | 5
|-
|-
| {{Australian politics/party colours/Independent}}|&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Independent}}|&nbsp;
| [[Independent politician|Independent]]
| Community First Alliance
| align=right | 1
| align=right |4
|-
|-
|
|
Line 193: Line 522:
|}
|}


The current council, elected in 2008, is:<ref name=EC/>
The current Council, elected in 2024, in order of election by ward, is:

{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
Line 200: Line 528:
|-
|-
| rowspan="3"|A Ward
| rowspan="3"|A Ward
| {{Australian politics/party colours/Independent}}|&nbsp;
| rowspan=2 {{Australian party style|Independent }}|&nbsp;
| Kal Glanznig
| Kevin Schreiber
| [[Independent (politician)|Independent]]
| rowspan=2 | [[Independent politician|Independent]]
|Elected 2024
|
|-
|-
| {{Australian politics/party colours/Independent}}|&nbsp;
| Carol Provan
| Carol Provan
|Elected 2008; Councillor 1983–1991; Mayor 2011–2012; '''Deputy Mayor''' 2022–2024
| Shire Watch
|
|-
|-
| {{Australian politics/party colours/Independent}}|&nbsp;
| rowspan=3 {{Australian party style|Liberal}}|&nbsp;
| Marcelle Elzerman
| George Capsis
| rowspan=3 | [[New South Wales Liberal Party|Liberal]]
| Community First
|Elected 2021
|
|-
|-
| rowspan="3"|B Ward
| rowspan="3"|B Ward
| [[Melanie Gibbons]]
| {{Australian politics/party colours/Independent}}|&nbsp;
| Elected 2024; Councillor 2004–2012
| Lorraine Kelly
| Shire Watch
|
|-
|-
| Joanne Nicholls
| {{Australian politics/party colours/Independent}}|&nbsp;
|Elected 2021
| Kent Johns
| [[Independent (politician)|Independent]]
|
|-
|-
| {{Australian politics/party colours/Labor}}|&nbsp;
| rowspan=2 {{Australian party style|Labor}}|&nbsp;
| Phil Blight
| Jack Boyd
| [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]]
| rowspan=2 | [[New South Wales Labor Party|Labor]]
| Elected 2016; '''Mayor''' 2024–present
| Mayor
|-
|-
| rowspan="3"|C Ward
| rowspan="3"|C Ward
| Jen Armstrong
| {{Australian politics/party colours/Labor}}|&nbsp;
| Elected 2021
| Mark Buttigieg
| [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]]
|
|-
|-
| {{Australian politics/party colours/Independent}}|&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Independent }}|&nbsp;
| Carmelo Pesce
| Craig McCallum
| [[Independent (politician)|Independent]]
| [[Independent politician|Independent]]
| Elected 2012; '''Mayor''' 2015–2020 & 2022–2024
|
|-
|-
| {{Australian politics/party colours/Independent}}|&nbsp;
| rowspan=2 {{Australian party style|Liberal}}|&nbsp;
| Haris Strangas
| Margaret Hargrave
| rowspan=2 | [[New South Wales Liberal Party|Liberal]]
| Shire Watch
|Elected 2021
|
|-
|-
| rowspan="3"|D Ward
| rowspan="3"|D Ward
| Meredith Laverty
| {{Australian politics/party colours/Labor}}|&nbsp;
| Elected 2024
| Jan Forshaw
| [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]]
|
|-
|-
| {{Australian politics/party colours/Independent}}|&nbsp;
| rowspan=3 {{Australian party style|Labor}}|&nbsp;
| Diedree Steinwall
| Howard Boorman
| rowspan=3 | Labor
| Shire Watch
| Elected 2012
| Deputy Mayor
|-
|-
| Peter Tsambalas
| {{Australian politics/party colours/Independent}}|&nbsp;
| rowspan=2 | Elected 2024
| Bruce Walton
| [[Independent (politician)|Independent]]
| Replaced Community First Councillor David Redmond in a by-election, 23 October 2010
|-
|-
| rowspan="3"|E Ward
| rowspan="3"|E Ward
| Mick Maroney
| {{Australian politics/party colours/Independent}}|&nbsp;
| Steve Simpson
| [[Independent (politician)|Independent]]
|
|-
|-
| {{Australian politics/party colours/Independent}}|&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}}|&nbsp;
| Stephen Nikolovski
| Melanie Gibbons
| Liberal
| [[Independent (politician)|Independent]]
| Elected 2021
|
|-
|-
| {{Australian politics/party colours/Independent}}|&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Independent}}|&nbsp;
| Laura Cowell<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cowell |first1=Laura |title=Laura Cowell |url=https://www.lauracowell.com/ |website=Laura Cowell |access-date=8 September 2023 |language=en-AU}}</ref>
| Peter Towell
| Independent
| Shire Watch
| Elected 2021; '''Deputy Mayor''' 2024–present
|
|}
|}


===Past composition===
The Sutherland Shire contains two [[Government of Australia|Federal Government]] [[Divisions of the Australian House of Representatives|electorates]], [[Division of Cook|Cook]] (which includes Caringbah, Miranda, Sylvania, Gymea, and Cronulla) and [[Division of Hughes|Hughes]] (which includes Sutherland, Menai, Engadine, Alfords Point).
{| class="wikitable"
! rowspan="3" | Election
! colspan="8" | Seats<ref>{{cite web |title=OVERDEVELOPMENT Is it being checked? |url=https://dws.ssec.org.au/resources/bobs_corner/2000_mar.htm |publisher=Sutherland Shire Environment Centre |access-date=14 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514043327/https://dws.ssec.org.au/resources/bobs_corner/2000_mar.htm |archive-date=14 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Raue |first1=Ben |title=Sutherland Shire election, 2016 |url=https://www.tallyroom.com.au/archive/nswcouncil2016/sutherland2016 |publisher=The Tally Room |access-date=14 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514035938/https://www.tallyroom.com.au/archive/nswcouncil2016/sutherland2016 |archive-date=14 May 2024}}</ref>
|-
! {{Australian politics/name|Labor NSW}}
! {{Australian politics/name|Liberal NSW}}
! [[Independent Liberal (Australia)|Ind. Liberal]]
! {{Australian politics/name|shire watch}}
! [[Community First Alliance|Comm. First]]
! {{Australian politics/name|Independent}}{{efn|Including local groups.}}
|-
! {{Australian party style|Labor NSW}} |
! {{Australian party style|Liberal NSW}} |
! {{Australian party style|Independent Liberal NSW}} |
! {{Australian party style|shire watch}} |
! {{Australian party style|community first alliance}} |
! {{Australian party style|Independent}} |
|-
| align="center"; style=background:#EAECF0 | '''[[1999 New South Wales local elections|1999]]'''
| align="center" | 5
| align="center" | 4
| {{n/a}}
| align="center" | 4
| {{n/a}}
| align="center" | 2
|-
| align="center"; style=background:#EAECF0 | '''[[2004 New South Wales local elections|2004]]'''
| align="center" | 3
| align="center" | 7
| {{n/a}}
| align="center" | 4
| {{n/a}}
| align="center" | 1
|-
| align="center"; style=background:#EAECF0 | '''[[2008 New South Wales local elections|2008]]'''
| align="center" | 3
| {{n/a}}
| align="center" | 4
| align="center" | 5
| align="center" | 2
| align="center" | 1
|-
| align="center"; style=background:#EAECF0 | '''[[2012 New South Wales local elections|2012]]'''
| align="center" | 3
| align="center" | 9
| {{n/a}}
| align="center" | 1
| {{n/a}}
| align="center" | 2
|-
| align="center"; style=background:#EAECF0 | '''[[2016 New South Wales local elections|2016]]'''
| align="center" | 7
| align="center" | 7
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
| align="center" | 1
|-
| align="center"; style=background:#EAECF0 | '''[[2021 New South Wales local elections|2021]]'''
| align="center" | 5
| align="center" | 8
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
| align="center" | 2
|-
| align="center"; style=background:#EAECF0 | '''[[2024 New South Wales local elections|2024]]'''
| align="center" | 5
| align="center" | 6
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
| align="center" | 4
|}


==Election results==
The state member for [[Electoral district of Miranda|Miranda]] is [[Barry Collier (politician)|Barry Collier]]. The state member for [[Electoral district of Menai|Menai]] is [[Alison Megarrity]]. The state member for [[Electoral district of Heathcote|Heathcote]] is Paul Mcleay. The State member for [[Electoral district of Cronulla|Cronulla]] is [[Malcolm Kerr (Australian politician)|Malcolm Kerr]].
===2024===
{{excerpt|Results of the 2024 New South Wales local elections in Greater Sydney|section=Sutherland results}}


== History ==
[[Scott Morrison (politician)|Scott Morrison]] is the Federal MP for [[Division of Cook|Cook]]. [[Craig Kelly (politician)|Craig Kelly]] is the Federal MP for [[Division of Hughes|Hughes]].


== Suburbs ==
=== Aboriginal history ===
The original inhabitants of the area of Sutherland Shire were some clans of the [[Tharawal people|Dharawal people]]. Archaeological work in the Shire has revealed evidence for [[Indigenous Australians|Aboriginal]] settlement dating back at least 8,500 years. The original coastline around Sydney has retreated about 20&nbsp;km and that those flooded coastal plains may hold evidence showing occupation of this area going back well beyond the 8,500 years revealed in the 1966 Archaeological exploration.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au/ssc/home.nsf/AllDocs/RWPD7F788C8EBBED143CA2575F500013BC6?OpenDocument |access-date=23 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090915190212/http://www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au/ssc/home.nsf/AllDocs/RWPD7F788C8EBBED143CA2575F500013BC6?OpenDocument |title=Traditional landowners |archive-date=15 September 2009 }}</ref>
<!-- If removing entries from/adding to this list, also remove from/add to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Sydney_Sutherland_suburbs -->
Suburbs in the Sutherland Shire are:
<!-- try to keep these columns even -->


Seashells became an important source of lime in the 1800s, and so, many middens in the Shire may have been mined for shells in order to produce mortar for construction.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cabbage Tree Basin Port Hacking, NSW|url=http://www.ssec.org.au/our_environment/our_bioregion/hacking/resources/reports/basin.pdf|access-date=5 April 2017}}</ref>
{| width=100%
|
* [[Alfords Point, New South Wales|Alfords Point]]
* [[Bangor, New South Wales|Bangor]]
* [[Barden Ridge, New South Wales|Barden Ridge]]
* [[Bonnet Bay, New South Wales|Bonnet Bay]]
* [[Bundeena, New South Wales|Bundeena]]
* [[Burraneer, New South Wales|Burraneer]]
* [[Caringbah, New South Wales|Caringbah]]
* [[Caringbah South, New South Wales|Caringbah South]]
* [[Como, New South Wales|Como]]
* [[Cronulla, New South Wales|Cronulla]]
|
* [[Dolans Bay, New South Wales|Dolans Bay]]
* [[Engadine, New South Wales|Engadine]]
* [[Grays Point, New South Wales|Grays Point]]
* [[Gymea, New South Wales|Gymea]]
* [[Gymea Bay, New South Wales|Gymea Bay]]
* [[Heathcote, New South Wales|Heathcote]]
* [[Illawong, New South Wales|Illawong]]
* [[Jannali, New South Wales|Jannali]]
* [[Kangaroo Point, New South Wales|Kangaroo Point]]
* [[Kareela, New South Wales|Kareela]]
|
* [[Kirrawee, New South Wales|Kirrawee]]
* [[Kurnell, New South Wales|Kurnell]]
* [[Lilli Pilli, New South Wales|Lilli Pilli]]
* [[Loftus, New South Wales|Loftus]]
* [[Lucas Heights, New South Wales|Lucas Heights]]
* [[Maianbar, New South Wales|Maianbar]]
* [[Menai, New South Wales|Menai]]
* [[Miranda, New South Wales|Miranda]]
* [[Oyster Bay, New South Wales|Oyster Bay]]
* [[Port Hacking, New South Wales|Port Hacking]]
|
* [[Sandy Point, New South Wales|Sandy Point]]
* [[Sutherland, New South Wales|Sutherland]]
* [[Sylvania, New South Wales|Sylvania]]
* [[Sylvania Waters, New South Wales|Sylvania Waters]]
* [[Taren Point, New South Wales|Taren Point]]
* [[Waterfall, New South Wales|Waterfall]]
* [[Woolooware, New South Wales|Woolooware]]
* [[Woronora, New South Wales|Woronora]]
* [[Woronora Heights, New South Wales|Woronora Heights]]
* [[Yarrawarrah, New South Wales|Yarrawarrah]]
* [[Yowie Bay, New South Wales|Yowie Bay]]
|}


Within the [[Royal National Park]], field surveys have revealed many hundreds of Aboriginal rock shelters. In other locations (the military area near [[Holsworthy, New South Wales|Holsworthy]] and Darkes Forrest) there are thousands of ancient campsites and sacred places. These areas mentioned have not been affected greatly by European settlement, and may give a clearer example of the quality of life and the abundance of resources in the Sutherland/Liverpool area.
<!-- try to keep these columns even -->


Since 1966, when there was an archaeological dig in Cabbage Tree Basin, archaeologists have uncovered parts of an extensive open-air [[midden]] or cooking and camp sites. Successive layers of habitation show the diet of the native Aboriginal people: [[oyster]]s, [[mussel]]s, [[Australasian snapper|snapper]], [[bream]], and [[Sydney cockle]]. There is also evidence of [[Pinniped|seal]], [[dolphin]], a range of [[marsupial]]s, [[dingo]] and even [[whale]]. Several edge-ground [[axe]]s have also been found.
Localities administered by the Sutherland Shire are:


There are many places where paintings and engravings of great age show changes in art style over thousands of years. Some of these changes can be linked to the extinction of animals in the local area and to the arrival of [[European ethnic groups|European]]s. Some have interpreted these artistic changes to changes in culture and people which would indicate that there have been a number of changes of communities over time.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030529103219/http://www.ssrguides.org/about.php?sub=areahistory |archive-date=2003-05-29 |title=A Short History of the Area |website=Sutherland Shire Region Guides |url=http://www.ssrguides.org/about.php?sub=areahistory }}</ref>
{| width=50%

|
=== European settlement ===
* [[Audley, New South Wales|Audley]]
[[File:Cook's landing at Botany Bay.jpg|thumb|left|Cook landing at Botany Bay]]
* [[Caravan Head, New South Wales|Caravan Head]]
European discovery of what is now Sutherland Shire was made by [[Lieutenant]] [[James Cook]], who entered [[Botany Bay]] on 29 April 1770. Cook and his party explored around Kurnell Peninsula, and left the bay on 6 May. During their brief stay, a [[Scottish people|Scottish]] seaman named Forbes Sutherland died of [[tuberculosis]]. In his honour, Cook named the northwest point of the peninsula Point Sutherland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au/ssc/rwpattach.nsf/viewasattachmentPersonal/FactSheet_5_FINAL_20041020.pdf/$file/FactSheet_5_FINAL_20041020.pdf |access-date=12 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090913083423/http://www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au/ssc/rwpattach.nsf/viewasattachmentPersonal/FactSheet_5_FINAL_20041020.pdf/$file/FactSheet_5_FINAL_20041020.pdf |title=History of Sutherland Shire |archive-date=13 September 2009 }}</ref>
* [[Como West, New South Wales|Como West]]

* [[Cronulla Beach]]
The British government needed a new site for transported [[Convictism in Australia|convict]]s as they had lost their American colonies following defeat in the [[American Revolutionary War]]. Botany Bay was chosen as the new penal settlement and the [[First Fleet]] under Governor [[Arthur Phillip]] anchored off Kurnell on 18 January 1788. After sending a party to clear land for settlement, Phillip soon realised the area was unsuitable. There was lack of shelter for ships, inadequate water and poor soil. On 24 January, two French ships were sighted off the coast, causing Phillip to raise English colours near Sutherland Point. Governor Phillip sailed north to explore [[Port Jackson]], and eventually settled at [[Sydney Cove]].
* [[Elouera Beach|Elouera]]

|
The first landowner in Sutherland Shire was James Birnie, a mercantile trader who was granted by promise {{convert|700|acres}} at Kurnell in 1815.<ref name="oldstudy">{{cite web |author=M. Hutton Neve |date=October 2000 |url=http://www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au/ssc/rwpattach.nsf/viewasattachmentPersonal/Old+Study+1+scanned.pdf/$file/Old+Study+1+scanned.pdf |access-date=12 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090915185453/http://www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au/ssc/rwpattach.nsf/viewasattachmentPersonal/Old+Study+1+scanned.pdf/$file/Old+Study+1+scanned.pdf |title=A brief history of Sutherland Shire |archive-date=15 September 2009 }}</ref> After the completion of official surveying, a large part of what is now Sutherland Shire was proclaimed as the Hundred of Woronora by Governor [[Richard Bourke]] in 1835. [[Title (property)|Title]] to land was not granted by [[the Crown]] until 1856, before which there was practically no settlement. Timber cutting was the primary industry, supplemented by shell gathering in the [[Port Hacking]] area.
* [[Garie Beach]]

* [[Gundamaian, New South Wales|Gundamaian]]
With the opening of Crown Lands sales in the Sutherland Shire, [[Thomas Holt (Australian politician)|Thomas Holt]] purchased {{convert|12000|acres}}. His developmental projects included oyster farms,<ref>[http://www.ssec.org.au/our_environment/our_bioregion/towra/about/history.htm Towra Point Nature Reserve<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> cattle grazing, and coal mining.<ref name="oldstudy" /> The investment which proved profitable however, were his timber leases. He constructed a magnificent manor on the foreshores of Sylvania, called Sutherland House, based on English feudal lines.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Book of Sydney Suburbs |editor=Pollon, Frances |publisher=Angus & Robertson Publishers |year=1990 |location=Australia |isbn=0-207-14495-8}}</ref> Due to 99-year leases, Holt's estate reduced development in the Sutherland Shire even into the 20th century.<ref>{{cite web |title=A HISTORY OF HAZELHURST REGIONAL GALLERY AND ARTS CENTRE |url=http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/files/assets/website/documents/community/hazelhurst/history_of_hazelhurst_booklet.pdf |website=sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au |access-date=11 January 2019}}</ref>
* [[North Cronulla Beach|North Cronulla]]

* [[North Engadine, New South Wales|North Engadine]]
=== Development of transport ===
[[File:Sutherlandtrain1920.jpg|thumb|A train in Sutherland circa 1920]]
The main mode of transport in the area was originally by water. Farmers' ships sailed up the coast into Botany Bay, and up the [[Georges River|Georges]] and [[Woronora River|Woronora]] rivers, avoiding the wharfage and custom dues at Port Jackson. The first public road, the Illawarra Road (now called the Old Illawarra Road) to the "Five Islands" (now [[Wollongong, New South Wales|Wollongong]]), was constructed between 1842 and 1845 with convict labour. A new southern line of road was completed in 1864, linking up with the Illawarra Road at Engadine. Today this virtually is the line of the [[Princes Highway]], the main north–south thoroughfare through Sutherland Shire.

A railway line was extended from [[Hurstville, New South Wales|Hurstville]] in 1884 to develop the rich Illawarra district. The railway brought into being firstly a huge [[shanty town]] on the heights of [[Como, New South Wales|Como]], and later developed the area into a holiday centre. [[Sutherland railway station]] was opened in 1885, named after [[John Sutherland (New South Wales politician)|John Sutherland]], a Minister of Works during the 1870s who had argued most forcefully{{citation needed|date=December 2012}} for the railway.

[[File:Caringbah histpan.jpg|thumb|left|upright=2|Panorama of Caringbah, circa 1920]]
At this time, the greater part of the Sutherland Shire was connected only by access tracks. A road soon opened between the railway station and [[Cronulla Beach]], catering mostly to families and fishing parties. This was followed by the Sutherland-Cronulla steam [[tram]] service, which was inaugurated in 1911. Not only did the service greatly increase the popularity of the Cronulla beaches, but it was of great advantage to the slowly developing business interests in the Sutherland Shire.

Increasing motor traffic caused a falling-off of passengers and the tram passenger service closed in 1931. The goods service ceased the following year. Increased road traffic with the north led to the opening of the first road bridge into the Shire, at [[Tom Uglys Bridge|Tom Ugly's Point]], in 1929. The six-lane [[Captain Cook Bridge, New South Wales|Captain Cook Bridge]] over the Georges River, spanning Rocky Point and Taren Point, was opened in 1965, replacing the completely inadequate ferry service.<ref name="sutherland.nsw.gov.au">{{cite web |url=http://www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au/ |title=webpage name tba |publisher=Sutherland Shire Council }}</ref>

=== Residential development ===
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Cronulla beach pre 1950s.jpg|thumb|right|Cronulla Beach prior to the 1950s]] -->
[[File:Miranda flats.JPG|thumb|right|Flats in [[Miranda, New South Wales|Miranda]]]]
Coastal and river frontage areas, such as Como, Illawong, Cronulla, Illawarra and Yowie Bay, became popular as country retreats. A form of voluntary local government was attempted in 1888, but [[law and order (politics)|law and order]] was still administered by the court at [[Liverpool, New South Wales|Liverpool]] until 1905. In that year, the {{Cite Legislation AU|NSW|act||Local Government (Shires) Act 1905}}{{dead link|date=February 2020}}<!-- link works, but no content there --> provided that the whole of New South Wales be divided into [[shire]]s. The State Governor, [[Harry Rawson]] selected the name, and proclaimed this district "Sutherland, No. 133" on 6 March 1906 and fixed the boundaries. At the time, Sutherland Shire had 1600 residents, and was divided into three [[Riding (division)|riding]]s.

With only a small rates base, one of the early problems for the council was the provision of new roads. The construction of the Sutherland-Cronulla tramway by the [[New South Wales Government Railways|Railways Commission]] went far in stimulating business activity and driving land sales. The population of Sutherland Shire increased from 2,896 in 1911, when the tramway opened, to over 7,500 in 1913. By 1931 the population had exceeded 12,000.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

After the Second World War, the [[Housing NSW|Housing Commission]], under the auspices of [[William McKell]], began acquiring land to build "homes for heroes", including in the Shire.<ref>{{cite web |title=A HISTORY OF HAZELHURST REGIONAL GALLERY AND ARTS CENTRE |url=http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/files/assets/website/documents/community/hazelhurst/history_of_hazelhurst_booklet.pdf |website=sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au |access-date=11 January 2019}}</ref> It was not until the early 1950s that this district of scattered dwellings, vacant blocks and quiet villages became a suburban area of Sydney. Until this time, Sutherland Shire was not considered part of the Sydney Urban Area, but was part of Metropolitan Sydney.

Associated with this growth of population was industrial, social and commercial development. The [[Sutherland Shire Libraries]] system was established in 1953 in a former doctor's home at Sutherland with 8,000 books. The Captain Cook Drive from [[Caringbah]] to [[Kurnell, New South Wales|Kurnell]] was constructed in 1953 in conjunction with the establishment in 1956 of the [[Kurnell Refinery]]. In the suburb of Lucas Heights, the [[Australian Atomic Energy Commission]], which is now organised as the [[Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation]] (ANSTO), established its main research campus and its first nuclear reactor ([[High Flux Australian Reactor|HIFAR]]) in 1956. The reactor went critical on 26 January 1958, before shutting down and undergoing decommissioning in early 2007.

In terms of residential development, one of the most imaginative homebuilding concepts has been Sylvania Waters. In this community, individually designed family homes were built around a series of [[Canal|man-made canals]]. The urban release of land in the [[Menai, New South Wales|Menai]] district, to the west of the Woronora River, commenced in the 1970s.<ref name="sutherland.nsw.gov.au"/>

=== Contemporary history ===
[[File:Cronulla Burraneer 1.JPG|thumb|View of Cronulla from [[Burraneer, New South Wales|Burraneer]]]]
In January 1994, the [[1994 Eastern seaboard fires]] destroyed parts of Como West, Jannali and Bonnet Bay; and affected the southern suburbs of Bundeena, Maianbar and Heathcote.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mutton|first1=Sheree|title=Shire fire horror still lingers 20 years on|url=http://www.theleader.com.au/story/2012100/shire-fire-horror-still-lingers-20-years-on/|access-date=10 April 2018|work=St George & Sutherland Shire Leader|date=9 January 2014|language=en}}</ref>

In the {{CensusAU|2011}}, Sutherland Shire was the second{{dubious|date=August 2018|reason=does not correspond with the information in the demographics table below}} most populous local government area in New South Wales, and eighth in Australia overall.<ref name="Census2011"/>

In December 2005, following incidents at the Cronulla beaches culminating in an assault on a lifeguard by youth of [[Lebanese people|Lebanese descent]], an anonymous [[SMS|text message]], publicised by major media outlets in Australia, called on people to gather at Cronulla beach on the following Sunday and attack "wogs and lebs". On 11 December 2005 and the days that followed, [[2005 Cronulla riots|a series of riots and retaliatory attacks]] broke out in Cronulla and other beach-side suburbs in Sydney's east which saw numerous assaults. There were two non-fatal stabbings and property damage, especially to motor vehicles. There were many people arrested, over one hundred charged, and extensive national and international media interest.<ref name="police response review-vol-1">{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/ep38cronulla1.pdf |title=Strike Force Neil, Cronulla Riots, Review of the Police Response Media Component Volume 1 of 4 |access-date=11 December 2015 |format=PDF-19.4 MB}}</ref><ref name="police response review-vol-2">{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/ep38cronulla2.pdf |title=Strike Force Neil, Cronulla Riots, Review of the Police Response Media Component Volume 2 of 4 |access-date=11 December 2015 |format=PDF-16.9 MB}}</ref><ref name="police response review-vol-3">{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/ep38cronulla3.pdf |title=Strike Force Neil, Cronulla Riots, Review of the Police Response Media Component Volume 3 of 4 |access-date=11 December 2015 |format=PDF-18.8 MB }}</ref>

The Sutherland Shire is home to a population of approximately 140 [[koala]]s, which are an endangered species.<ref>{{cite web |title=Koalas |url=https://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/native-wildlife/koalas |website=sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au |language=en |date=19 January 2023}}</ref>

== Heritage listings ==
Sutherland Shire has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
* Audley, Sir Bertram Stevens & Audley Road: [[Audley historic recreational complex]]<ref name=nswshr-976>{{cite NSW SHR|5045515|Audley historic recreational complex|hr=00976|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
* Caringbah South, 44-46 Fernleigh Road: [[Fernleigh, Caringbah South]]<ref name=nswshr-302>{{cite NSW SHR|5045244|Fernleigh|hr=00302|fn=09/4925; S90/05966 & HC 32339|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
* Cronulla, Captain Cook Drive: [[Cronulla sand dunes]]<ref name=nswshr-1668>{{cite NSW SHR|5051207|Cronulla Sand Dune and Wanda Beach Coastal Landscape|hr=01668|fn=10/07771; S96/00890|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
* Cronulla, Cronulla railway: [[Cronulla railway station]]<ref name=nswshr-1123>{{cite NSW SHR|5011980|Cronulla Railway Station group|hr=01123|fn=H06/00200|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
* Cronulla, 202 Nicholson Parade: [[Cronulla Fisheries Centre]]<ref name=nswshr-1011>{{cite NSW SHR|5045100|Cronulla Fisheries Centre, The|hr=01011|fn=10/7769; S96/00446, EF14/5299|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
* Dolans Bay, 733 Port Hacking Road: [[Lyons House, Sydney]]<ref name=nswshr-1930>{{cite NSW SHR|5061538|Lyons House|hr=01930|fn=13/04115, EF14/6343|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
* Heathcote, 1-21 Dillwynnia Grove: [[Heathcote Hall]]<ref name=nswshr-191>{{cite NSW SHR|5045238|Heathcote Hall|hr=00191|fn=10/7772; S90/05841 & HC 32471|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
* Kurnell, Cape Solander Drive: [[Kamay Botany Bay National Park]]<ref name=nswshr-1918>{{cite NSW SHR|5061543|Kamay Botany Bay National Park (North and South) and Towra Point Nature Reserve|hr=01918|fn=12/04200; 10/8180|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
* Loftus, Illawarra railway: [[Loftus Junction railway signal box]]<ref name=nswshr-1182>{{cite NSW SHR|5012083|Loftus Junction railway signal box|hr=01182|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
*[[Woronora Dam, New South Wales|Woronora Dam (suburb)]]: [[Woronora Dam]]<ref name=nswshr-1378>{{cite NSW SHR|5051466|Woronora Dam|hr=01378|fn=H06/00300|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>

== Geography ==
[[File:Port Hacking Estuary.JPG|thumb|right|[[Port Hacking]] estuary]]
Under the 1853 proclamation, the western boundary of district was the Woronora River. With the establishment of the Sutherland Shire on 6 March 1906, the western boundary was extended to take in more agricultural land in an area which is now modern day Menai. In 1919, the Illawong area was also transferred to the council. The Shire now has an area of {{convert|370|km2}}, of which {{convert|173|km2}} is state-designated national parkland.

The northern border of the Sutherland Shire can be crossed via four bridges: three road bridges ([[Alfords Point Bridge|Alfords Point]], [[Tom Uglys Bridge|Tom Uglys]] and [[Captain Cook Bridge, Sydney|Captain Cook]]) and the [[Como railway bridge]]. To the west, the [[Heathcote Road]] leading out of the Sutherland Shire passes by the [[Holsworthy Barracks|Holsworthy military reserve]]. To the south, the Princes Highway runs out of Waterfall towards the City of Wollongong. The eastern border is bounded by the [[Tasman Sea]].

In the eastern part the Sutherland Shire has a varying landscape of rugged sea cliffs and sandy beaches, and swampy bay coasts backed by sand dunes. To the west the surface consists of a broad plateau rising gently to the southwest, and cut into by several deep river gorges.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20040822210843/http://www.ssrguides.org/about.php?sub=map Location of the Sutherland Shire – Sutherland Shire Region Guides]</ref>

=== Geology ===
[[File:SandDunesSutherlandShire.jpg|thumb|[[Cronulla sand dunes]]]]
The [[geology]] of Sutherland Shire, whilst sharing characteristics with the [[North Shore (Sydney)|North Shore]], is very different from the western and central suburbs of Sydney. Above the coal-bearing rocks is found the Narrabeen Group, mostly made up of layers of [[sandstone]] and characteristic red [[claystone]] beds. Overlying the Narrabeen Group is the Hawkesbury Sandstone, the rock unit most characteristic of the Shire. Occasional patches of Ashfield shale overlay the Hawkesbury sandstone. Some time later than the [[Triassic]] period – possibly early Tertiary – minor volcanic activity occurred in the area . This took the form of [[intrusion]] of a number of [[dike (geology)|dykes]] of [[basalt]]ic rock which forced their way up through the sedimentary rocks. Due to the wetting and drying action of the weather the basaltic rock of the dykes has changed to clay.

From the end of the [[Triassic]] period to the middle of the [[Tertiary]] period, soft material was worn down or removed by wind and running water. In the final stages of this period of erosion the climate was apparently rather wetter and more humid than today's, causing the exposed rocks to change and form [[laterite]] soil, which is abundant in the Sutherland Shire.

=== River system ===
[[File:Gymea Bay 2.JPG|thumb|right|[[Gymea Bay]]]]
A little later in the Tertiary, tilting occurred south of the Georges River. The slow [[Tectonic uplift|uplift]], taking perhaps several million years, formed the present Woronora Plateau, a surface which rises gently in the south. This process caused the river system in the Shire to flow in steeper watercourses. They then became more active, carving the steep [[Canyon|gorges]] of Woronora, Hacking, Georges Rivers and their [[tributary|tributaries]] which can be seen today. [[Waterfall]]s such as those at Waterfall and Undola also formed during this period. Water supplies within the shire are of two kinds. The main source is the surface supply provided by the [[Woronora Dam]], which is built in the deep gorge of Woronora River. A second source exists in the form of [[Groundwater|underground water]].

During the last [[ice age]], the rivers had to do additional work cutting down through the rocks to reach the lower and more distant ocean, leading to the "valley-in-valley" shape of many of the deep gorges in the Sutherland Shire. When sea levels rose again, the silt and sand carried by the rivers gradually built up a considerable thickness of [[sediment]]. Sediment filled the area between Kurnell (then an island) and Miranda. Sand [[dune]]s began to accumulate in the Kurnell area and the mud and sand flats of Quibray and [[Gunnamatta Bay]]s began to form. The Kurnell sand dunes have provided a cheap source of sand for the southern suburbs of Sydney but in the process of exploitation this area has been robbed of its character and the removal of vegetation has opened the way to erosion.

=== Royal National Park ===
{{Main|Royal National Park}}
The Premier [[John Robertson (New South Wales Premier)|John Robertson]] dedicated {{convert|18000|acres}} to "The National Park" (now the [[Royal National Park]]), gazetted in 1879. This makes it the second oldest park of its kind in the world after [[Yellowstone National Park]] in [[United States|America]], although there is no public gazette record for Yellowstone until the 1880s, making a valid claim for The Royal National Park being the oldest in the world. In 1880 the Park was increased to {{convert|33000|acres}}. Today it is just under {{convert|44000|acres}}. The National Park was given the prefix "Royal" after [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth]] visited the park in 1954.

=== Urban structure ===
Sutherland Shire is now predominantly a residential area with commercial centres and minor industrial and rural areas. The commercial centres of the council are located in the suburbs of Sutherland, Miranda (home to [[Westfield Miranda]]), Cronulla, Caringbah, Menai and Engadine. Sutherland Shire's old mantra was:
* [[Sutherland, New South Wales|Sutherland]]: "The centre of business".
* [[Miranda, New South Wales|Miranda]]: "The centre of shopping"
* [[Cronulla]]: "The centre of leisure"

The suburb of Kurnell, which includes the site of the first landing site of James Cook, was also the site of a former [[oil refinery]]. Nearby is [[Towra Point Nature Reserve]], a [[wetland]] of international importance. Australia's first and only nuclear reactor facilities are in the suburb of Lucas Heights. The reactor, run by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) is not a power station but is used for the production of [[Radiopharmacology|radiopharmaceuticals]], for research and irradiation.

The isolated suburbs of Bundeena and Maianbar are situated on the southern shore of Port Hacking between the water and the Royal National Park. They are accessible by boat, including a regular ferry service from Cronulla to Bundeena operated by [[Cronulla & National Park Ferry Cruises]] or by road through the national park.

== Significant parks and reserves ==
* [[Botany Bay National Park]]
* [[Caravan Head Bushland Reserve]]
* [[Heathcote National Park]]
* [[Royal National Park]]
* [[Royal National Park]]
* [[Towra Point Nature Reserve]]
|
* [[Joseph Banks Native Plants Reserve, Kareela]]
* [[Shelly Beach (Cronulla)|Shelly Beach]]

* [[Sylvania Heights, New South Wales|Sylvania Heights]]
== Facilities ==
* [[Wanda Beach|Wanda]]
[[File:Sutherland Hospital.jpg|thumb|[[Sutherland Hospital]]]]
* [[Warumbul, New South Wales|Warumbul]]
[[File:Yarrawarrah shops.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Yarrawarrah, New South Wales|Yarrawarrah]] windmill is a local landmark]]
|}
[[File:Sutherland park.JPG|thumb|Peace Park in [[Sutherland, New South Wales|Sutherland]]]]

=== Education ===

There are now nearly 100 schools in the Sutherland Shire including the Gymea and Loftus Colleges of [[Technical and Further Education]], a technology high school ([[Gymea Technology High School]]), one of the ten academically selective high schools in New South Wales ([[Caringbah High School]]), a sports oriented high school ([[Endeavour Sports High School]]), more than twenty secondary schools, preschool centres, and special schools provided to serve children with specific learning needs.

=== Health ===

[[Sutherland Hospital|The Sutherland Hospital]] and Kareena Private Hospital are both located at Caringbah and President Private Hospital is located in Kirrawee.

=== Transport ===

The Sutherland Shire is serviced by [[Transit Systems NSW|Transit Systems]] and [[U-Go Mobility]] bus services and [[Sydney Trains]] services on the [[Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line|Illawarra line]].

=== Emergency services ===

Fire and Rescue NSW has stations at Miranda, Sutherland, Cronulla, Engadine and Bundeena. The NSW Ambulance Service has stations at Caringbah (Sutherland Hospital), Engadine in the south and Menai in the west and Bundeena. Due to the large area designated as National Park and the prevalence of bushland in the area Sutherland Shire has 12 [[New South Wales Rural Fire Service]] stations. There are stations located at Bundeena, Engadine, Grays Point, Heathcote, Illawong, Kurnell, Loftus, Maianbar, Menai (currently relocating to Barden Ridge), Sandy Point, Waterfall and Woronora. These brigades attend fires, vehicle accidents, missing persons searches and community education days. Good coverage in the area from [[Fire and Rescue NSW]] also means that these Rural Fire Service members are regularly sent out of area to help the rest of New South Wales and on occasion interstate. The Sutherland Shire also has a [[State Emergency Service]] unit based at Heathcote with facilities at Menai and shared facilities at Woronora.

==== Surf life saving and river life saving ====

There are four surf life saving clubs, a surf life saving offshore rescue boat and Marine Rescue NSW base located at Cronulla and a river life saving club and Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Service boats located at Woronora. The clubs and boats provide life saving and first aid services to the many visitors to the Sutherland Shire's beaches and rivers. The four surf clubs from south to north are: [[Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club|Cronulla SLSC]], [[North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club|North Cronulla SLSC]], [[Elouera Surf Life Saving Club|Elouera SLSC]] and [[Wanda Surf Life Saving Club|Wanda SLSC]]. The offshore rescue boat operated by the [[Cronulla District Lifesaver Rescue]] frequently assists in major marine rescues along the Sydney coast.

== Culture ==
Anthony Redmond claims the Shire has a reputation for insular [[Localism (politics)|localism]] that also manifests itself in [[Surf localism|surf culture]], has a high conservative vote and is Sydney's fourth largest [[Bible belt]].<ref>{{cite journal |author=Redmond, Anthony |year=2007 |title=Surfies Versus Westies: Kinship, Mateship and Sexuality in the Cronulla Riots |journal=The Australian Journal of Anthropology |volume=18 |number=3 |pages=336–351 |publisher=Proquest |doi=10.1111/j.1835-9310.2007.tb00100.x|hdl=1885/50705 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>

* The [[National Rugby League]] football club, the [[Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks]] are the major local professional sports team. They have an average attendance of 12,000-15,000.
* [[North Cronulla]] Surf Life Saving club doubled as a police station in the television series ''[[White Collar Blue]]''.
* [[Southern Districts Rugby Club]] is the premier grade rugby union football club for the Sutherland Shire and are known as the "Rebels".
* The Sutherland Sharks Football Club<ref>http://www.sutherlandsharksfc.com.au/ Sutherland Sharks Football Club – Official website</ref> is the Sutherland Shire's New South Wales Premier League 1 Team in soccer.
* Sutherland Shire Football Association<ref>http://shirefootball.com.au/ Sutherland Shire Football Association – Official website</ref> is the largest Football Association in the Southern Hemisphere.
* The [[Cronulla-Sutherland District Rugby Football League]] is the second-largest local rugby league competition in Sydney.
* Four winners of the world's biggest triathlon, the Ironman World Championships in Kailua-Kona Hawaii, call the Sutherland Shire home. Cronulla Triathlon Club athletes [[Greg Welch]] (1994), [[Michellie Jones]] (2006), [[Chris McCormack (triathlete)|Chris McCormack]] (2007 & 2010) and [[Craig Alexander (triathlete)|Craig Alexander]] (2008, 2009 & 2011). A resident of the Sutherland Shire won the race, considered the world's toughest one day sporting event, for six years running (2006–2011).
* The 1979 novel, ''[[Puberty Blues (novel)|Puberty Blues]]'' by [[Gabrielle Carey]] and [[Kathy Lette]], is a teen novel about the lives of two girls from the lower middle class of the Sutherland Shire.
* The 1981 film ''[[Puberty Blues (film)|Puberty Blues]]'' and the 2012 TV series ''[[Puberty Blues (TV series)|Puberty Blues]]'' are both based on the novel and predominantly filmed around the Sutherland Shire, including Cronulla Beach and the southern campus of [[Caringbah High School]].
* The television reality shows ''[[Sylvania Waters (TV series)|Sylvania Waters]]'' and ''[[The Shire (TV series)|The Shire]]'' follow the lives of residents in the Sutherland Shire.

== Economy ==
According to a [[National Institute of Economic and Industry Research]] profile in 2016, the Gross Regional Product of the Sutherland Shire is estimated to be $9.74 billion, 1.9% of NSW's Gross State Product.<ref>{{cite web|title=Economic profile {{!}} Sutherland Shire {{!}} economy.id|url=http://economy.id.com.au/sutherland|website=economy.id.com.au|access-date=14 October 2017|language=en}}</ref>

=== Retail ===
The biggest commercial areas in the Sutheland Shire are located at [[Miranda, New South Wales|Miranda]], [[Menai, New South Wales|Menai]], [[Sylvania, New South Wales|Sylvania]], [[Kirrawee, New South Wales|Kirrawee]], [[Caringbah]] and [[Cronulla, New South Wales|Cronulla]]. Miranda is the main retail and commercial centre of the Sutherland Shire, being home to [[Westfield Miranda]] along with Lederer Miranda and Kiora Centre as the two nearby smaller shopping centres.

[[Southgate Shopping Centre (Australia)|Southgate]] is another major shopping complex, located in Sylvania. Cronulla is also a popular retail and commercial centre, with numerous restaurants and cafes and a considerable number of surf stores and other clothing and fashion shops.

Other neighbourhood shopping centres have also developed at Bangor, Illawong, Kareela, Jannali, Yarrawarrah and Menai together with a small centre at Alfords Point. Gymea Shopping Village attracts many people, with a regional arts centre, [[Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Arts Centre]], and a cafe and restaurant scene.

=== Nuclear science ===
Since 1956, Sutherland Shire has been home to [[Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation|ANSTO]]’s [[Lucas Heights, New South Wales|Lucas Heights]] research campus, and the [[High Flux Australian Reactor|HIFAR]], [[MOATA]] and [[Open-pool Australian lightwater reactor|OPAL]] nuclear reactors. In the past, ANSTO, then known as the [[Australian Atomic Energy Commission|AAEC]], conducted scientific research into the [[nuclear fuel cycle]], [[nuclear medicine]], and methods for [[Enriched uranium#Enrichment methods|enriching]] [[uranium]]. It is thought that this was to support Australia’s fledgling [[Australia and weapons of mass destruction|nuclear weapons program]], which is assumed to have lasted from the [[Menzies government (1949–1966)|Menzies government]] in the 1950s until the election of the [[Whitlam government]] in the early 1970s.


==Sister cities==
==Sister cities==
The Sutherland Shire maintains [[sister city]] relations with the following cities:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Council_The_Shire/About_the_Shire/Sister_Cities |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110423064543/http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Council_The_Shire/About_the_Shire/Sister_Cities |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 April 2011 |title=Sister Cities |work=About the Shire |publisher=Sutherland Shire Council |access-date=22 September 2012}}</ref>
[[Image:Sutherland park.JPG|thumb|Peace Park in [[Sutherland, New South Wales|Sutherland]]]]
*{{Flag icon|United States}} [[Lakewood, Colorado|Lakewood]], [[Colorado]], United States
Sutherland Shire maintains [[sister city]] relations with the following cities:<ref>[http://www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au/ssc/home.nsf/HeadingPagesDisplay/About+Your+ShireSister+cities?opendocument]</ref>
*{{Flag icon|United States}} [[Lakewood, Colorado|Lakewood]], [[Colorado]], [[USA]]
*{{Flag icon|Japan}} [[Chūō, Tokyo|Chūō]], [[Tokyo]], Japan
*{{Flag icon|Japan}} [[Chūō, Tokyo|Chūō]], [[Tokyo]], [[Japan]]


There are also two informal relationships:
There are also two informal relationships:
*{{Flag icon|Scotland}} [[Sutherland]], [[Scotland]], [[United Kingdom|UK]]
*{{Flag icon|Scotland}} [[Sutherland]], Scotland, [[United Kingdom|UK]]
*{{Flag icon|Wales}} [[Bangor, Gwynedd|Bangor]], [[Wales]], [[United Kingdom|UK]]
*{{Flag icon|Wales}} [[Bangor, Gwynedd|Bangor]], [[Wales]], [[United Kingdom|UK]]


== See also ==
== See also ==
{{stack|{{Portal|New South Wales}}}}
* [[Local government areas of New South Wales]]


===Other See Also===
* [[Bangor Bypass, New South Wales|Bangor Bypass]]

* [[Bangor Bypass]]
* [[Botany Bay]]
* [[Botany Bay]]
* [[2005 Cronulla riots|Cronulla riots]]
* [[Puberty Blues]]
* [[Royal National Park]]
* [[Cronulla sand dunes]]
* ''[[Puberty Blues (film)|Puberty Blues]]''
* [[Cronulla sand dunes, Kurnell Peninsula]]
* ''[[The Shire (TV series)|The Shire]]''
* [[2005 Cronulla riots|Cronulla Riots]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}


== References ==
== References ==
Line 386: Line 866:


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://SutherlandShireInfo.com/ '''Sutherland Shire Info''']
{{Commons category|Sutherland Shire}}
{{Wikivoyage|Sydney/Sutherland Shire|Sutherland Shire}}
* [http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Home/ Sutherland Shire Council]
* [http://SutherlandShireInfo.com/ Sutherland Shire Info]
* [http://www.ssec.org.au/about_us/history.htm Sutherland Shire Environment Centre]
* [http://www.ssec.org.au/about_us/history.htm Sutherland Shire Environment Centre]
* [http://www.getonup.info/ Sutherland Shire Guide - Get On Up]
* [http://www.shirestream.wimudi.com/ Shirestream - Online Website for the Community]
* [http://www.cbcasutherland.org.au/ Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA), Sutherland Sub branch - literacy in children and young adults of the Sutherland Shire]


{{Sydney Sutherland suburbs|state=autocollapse}}
{{Sydney_regions}}
{{Sydney regions}}
{{Local Government Areas of New South Wales}}


[[Category:Sutherland Shire| ]]
{{Coord|34|02|S|151|03|E|display=title|region:AU_type:adm2nd_source:dewiki}}
[[Category:Local government areas in Sydney]]

[[Category:Local Government Areas in Sydney]]
[[Category:Botany Bay]]
[[Category:Botany Bay]]
[[Category:Georges River]]

[[af:Sutherland Shire]]
[[de:Sutherland Shire]]
[[fr:Comté de Sutherland]]
[[id:Sutherland Shire]]
[[nl:Sutherland Shire]]
[[ja:サザランド (オーストラリア)]]
[[pl:Hrabstwo Sutherland]]
[[ro:Sutherland Shire]]
[[zh:萨瑟兰郡]]

Latest revision as of 07:50, 29 November 2024

Sutherland Shire
New South Wales
Coordinates34°02′S 151°03′E / 34.033°S 151.050°E / -34.033; 151.050
Population
 • Density590/km2 (1,529/sq mi)
Established6 March 1906
Area370 km2 (142.9 sq mi)
MayorJack Boyd
Council seatCouncil Chambers Sutherland
RegionMetropolitan Sydney
State electorate(s)
Federal division(s)
WebsiteSutherland Shire
LGAs around Sutherland Shire:
Canterbury-Bankstown Georges River Bayside
Southern Sydney Sutherland Shire Tasman Sea
Wollongong Tasman Sea

Sutherland Shire is a local government area (LGA) in the southern region of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Sutherland Shire is located approximately 26 kilometres south-southwest of the Sydney central business district, and comprises an area of 370 square kilometres (140 sq mi). As at the 2016 census, Sutherland Shire has an estimated population of 218,464.[1] The area is colloquially known as "The Shire", and has featured in several reality television series.

Geographically, it is the area directly to the south of Botany Bay and the Georges River. Sutherland Shire is 26 kilometres (16 mi) south-southwest of the Sydney city centre, and is bordered by Bayside Council, City of Canterbury-Bankstown, City of Wollongong and the Georges River Council local government areas.

The administrative centre of Sutherland Shire is located in the suburb of Sutherland, with the council chambers located on Eton Street. As of 10 October 2024, the mayor of the Sutherland Shire is Cr. Jack Boyd, a Labor Party member.[3]

Sutherland Shire contains what was the first landing site of Lieutenant James Cook, who went ashore onto what is now the suburb of Kurnell on 29 April 1770. It was originally intended to be the location of the first British Settlement, before Sydney Cove was chosen instead by Arthur Phillip of the First Fleet.[4]

Suburbs and localities in the local government area

[edit]
Map
A geoshape of the Sutherland Shire

Suburbs in Sutherland Shire are:

Localities and features within Sutherland Shire include:

Demographics

[edit]
People on North Cronulla Beach
St Stylianos Greek Orthodox Church, Gymea
Left to right from top: The suburb of Sutherland; Cronulla and beaches; Westfield, Miranda; Kurnell Sand Dunes.

At the 2016 census, there were 217,880 people in Sutherland Shire. Of these, 48.8% were male and 51.2% were female. Indigenous Australians made up 1.1% of the population. The median age of people in Sydney – Sutherland (Statistical Area Level 4) was 40 years. Children aged 0 – 14 years made up 19.1% of the population and people aged 65 years and over made up 16.9% of the population. Of all the people in Sydney – Sutherland (Statistical Area Level 4) aged 15 years and over, 53.7% were married and 10.4% were either separated or divorced.[1]

The median weekly income for residents within Sutherland Shire was higher than the national average.

The most common ancestries in Sydney – Sutherland (Statistical Area Level 4) were English 27.6%, Australian 26.3%, Irish 9.5%, Scottish 6.9% and Italian 3.2%. In Sydney – Sutherland (Statistical Area Level 4), of all occupied private dwellings, 4.6% had 1 bedroom, 21.1% had 2 bedrooms and 35.5% had 3 bedrooms. The average number of bedrooms per occupied private dwelling was 3.2. The average household size was 2.7 people.[5][6]

Selected historical census data for Sutherland Shire
Census year 2001[7] 2006[6] 2011[5] 2016[1]
Population Estimated residents on census night 202,158 205,448 210,863 218,464
LGA rank in terms of size within New South Wales 2nd 7th 6th
% of New South Wales population 3.05% 2.82%
% of Australian population 1.08% Decrease 1.03% Decrease 0.98% Decrease 0.90%
Cultural and language diversity
Ancestry,
top responses
Australian 28.9% 26.3%
English 28.0% 27.6%
Irish 9.0% 9.5%
Scottish 6.6% 6.9%
Italian 3.0% 3.2%
Language,
top responses
(other than English)
Greek 1.9% Steady 1.9% Steady 1.9% Steady 1.9%
Arabic 1.0% Steady 1.0% Decrease 0.9% Steady 0.9%
Cantonese 1.0% Steady 1.0% Decrease 0.9% Increase 1.0%
Italian 1.1% Decrease 0.9% Steady 0.9% Decrease 0.8%
Mandarin n/c Increase 0.6% Increase 0.7% Increase 1.4%
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation,
top responses
Catholic 30.5% Increase 30.6% Increase 31.0% Decrease 29.2%
Anglican 28.7% Decrease 26.9% Decrease 25.8% Decrease 20.7%
No religion 10.8% Increase 12.9% Increase 16.1% Increase 24.1%
Eastern Orthodox 3.6% Increase 4.1% Increase 4.3% Decrease 4.2%
Uniting Church 5.9% Decrease 5.0% Decrease 4.2%
Median weekly incomes
Personal income Median weekly personal income A$601 A$718 A$837
% of Australian median income 129.0% 124.4% 126.4%
Family income Median weekly family income A$1,374 A$2,014 A$2,312
% of Australian median income 133.8% 136.0% 133.3%
Household income Median weekly household income A$1,650 A$1,674 A$1,979
% of Australian median income 140.9% 135.7% 137.6%

Presidents and Mayors

[edit]

Sutherland Shire Presidents 1906–1993

[edit]
Mayor Term Notes
W. G. Judd 1906–1910 [8]
E. W. Hyndman 1911–1915 [8]
R. W. Cook 1916 [8]
Cecil Monro 1917–1918 [8]
J. Hill 1918 [8]
W. R. Ainsworth 1919–1921 [8]
Cecil Monro 1922–1927 [8]
R. W. Cook 1928 [8]
A. J. Hand 1929 [8]
E. S. Shaw 1930–1933 [8]
R. Bingham 1934 [8]
E. S. Shaw 1935–1938 [8]
Cecil Monro 1939 [8]
R. Bingham 1940–1942 [8]
A. H. Tucker 1943 [8]
E. S. Shaw 1944 [8]
L. J. Sandow 1945 [8]
J. W. H. Lawrence 1946 [8]
J. Skillcorn 1947 [8]
W. E. Peisley 1948 [8]
Cecil Monro 1949–1951 [8]
Reginald H. Doneathy 1952 [8]
Darrell G. Welch 1953 [8]
Arthur G. Harper 1954 [8]
Ronald J. O'Brien 1955–1956 [8]
John A. Dwyer 1957–1958 [8]
Horace J. Cartledge 1959 [8]
John A. Dwyer 1960 [8]
Arthur Gietzelt 1961–1963 [8]
Keith Bates 1964–1965 [8]
Arthur Gietzelt 1966–1971 [8]
Ray W. Thorburn 1972 [8]
Kevin Skinner 1973–1974 [8]
Peter Lewis 1974–1975 [8]
Michael T. P. Tynan 1975–1978 [8]
Jean M. Manuel, MBE 1978–1979 [8][9]
Allan Andrews 1979–1981 [8]
Kevin Skinner 1981–1986 [8]
Ian B. Swords 1986–1987 [8]
Carol Provan 1987–1988 [8]
Michael T. P. Tynan 1988–1989 [8]
Douglas T. McNeil 1989–1990 [8]
Don R. Carter 1990–1991 [8][10]
Ian B. Swords 1991–1993 [8]

Mayors of Sutherland Shire, 1993-Present

[edit]
Mayor Party Term Notes
  Ian B. Swords Labor 1 July 1993 – 1994 [8]
  Genevieve Rankin Labor 1994–1995 [8][11]
  Lorraine Rodden Independent 1995–1996 [8][12]
  Kevin Schreiber Liberal 1996–1999 [8]
  Ken McDonell Labor 1999–2000 [8][13]
  Tracie Sonda Shire Watch 2000–2002 [8][13]
  Phil Blight Labor 2002–2004 [8][13]
  Kevin Schreiber Liberal 2004–2006 [8]
  David Redmond Liberal 2006–2008 [8]
  Lorraine Kelly Shire Watch 2008–2010 [8][13]
  Phil Blight Labor 2010–2011 [8][13]
  Carol Provan Independent 2011–2012 [8][13]
  Kent Johns Liberal 2012–2013 [8]
  Steve Simpson Liberal 2013–2014 [8]
  Kent Johns Liberal 2014–2015 [8]
  Carmelo Pesce Liberal 2015–2020 [8]
  Steve Simpson Independent 2020–2022 [14]
  Carmelo Pesce Liberal 2022 – 2024 [15]
  Jack Boyd Labor 2024– present

Council

[edit]

Current composition and election method

[edit]

Sutherland Shire Council is composed of fifteen councillors elected proportionally as five separate wards, each electing three councillors. All councillors are elected for a fixed four-year term of office. The mayor is elected by the councillors at the first meeting of the council. The most recent election was held on 14 September 2024, and the makeup of the council is as follows:[16][17]

Party Councillors
  Liberal 6
  Labor 5
  Independent 4
Total 15

The current Council, elected in 2024, in order of election by ward, is:

Ward Councillor Party Notes
A Ward   Kal Glanznig Independent Elected 2024
Carol Provan Elected 2008; Councillor 1983–1991; Mayor 2011–2012; Deputy Mayor 2022–2024
  Marcelle Elzerman Liberal Elected 2021
B Ward Melanie Gibbons Elected 2024; Councillor 2004–2012
Joanne Nicholls Elected 2021
  Jack Boyd Labor Elected 2016; Mayor 2024–present
C Ward Jen Armstrong Elected 2021
  Carmelo Pesce Independent Elected 2012; Mayor 2015–2020 & 2022–2024
  Haris Strangas Liberal Elected 2021
D Ward Meredith Laverty Elected 2024
  Diedree Steinwall Labor Elected 2012
Peter Tsambalas Elected 2024
E Ward Mick Maroney
  Stephen Nikolovski Liberal Elected 2021
  Laura Cowell[18] Independent Elected 2021; Deputy Mayor 2024–present

Past composition

[edit]
Election Seats[19][20]
Labor Liberal Ind. Liberal Shire Watch Comm. First Independent[a]
1999 5 4 4 2
2004 3 7 4 1
2008 3 4 5 2 1
2012 3 9 1 2
2016 7 7 1
2021 5 8 2
2024 5 6 4

Election results

[edit]

2024

[edit]
2024 New South Wales local elections: Sutherland[21]
Party Votes % Swing Seats Change
  Liberal 58,293 40.51% 6
  Labor 43,831 30.46% 5
  Shire Independents 9,345 6.49% 0
  Greens 3,207 2.23% 0
  The Passmore Independents 2,622 1.82% 0
  Libertarian 2,217 1.54% 0
  Animal Justice 1,486 1.03% 0
  Independents 22,901 15.91% 4
 Formal votes 143,902 94.97%
 Informal votes 7,617 5.03%
 Total 151,519 15
 Registered voters / turnout

History

[edit]

Aboriginal history

[edit]

The original inhabitants of the area of Sutherland Shire were some clans of the Dharawal people. Archaeological work in the Shire has revealed evidence for Aboriginal settlement dating back at least 8,500 years. The original coastline around Sydney has retreated about 20 km and that those flooded coastal plains may hold evidence showing occupation of this area going back well beyond the 8,500 years revealed in the 1966 Archaeological exploration.[22]

Seashells became an important source of lime in the 1800s, and so, many middens in the Shire may have been mined for shells in order to produce mortar for construction.[23]

Within the Royal National Park, field surveys have revealed many hundreds of Aboriginal rock shelters. In other locations (the military area near Holsworthy and Darkes Forrest) there are thousands of ancient campsites and sacred places. These areas mentioned have not been affected greatly by European settlement, and may give a clearer example of the quality of life and the abundance of resources in the Sutherland/Liverpool area.

Since 1966, when there was an archaeological dig in Cabbage Tree Basin, archaeologists have uncovered parts of an extensive open-air midden or cooking and camp sites. Successive layers of habitation show the diet of the native Aboriginal people: oysters, mussels, snapper, bream, and Sydney cockle. There is also evidence of seal, dolphin, a range of marsupials, dingo and even whale. Several edge-ground axes have also been found.

There are many places where paintings and engravings of great age show changes in art style over thousands of years. Some of these changes can be linked to the extinction of animals in the local area and to the arrival of Europeans. Some have interpreted these artistic changes to changes in culture and people which would indicate that there have been a number of changes of communities over time.[24]

European settlement

[edit]
Cook landing at Botany Bay

European discovery of what is now Sutherland Shire was made by Lieutenant James Cook, who entered Botany Bay on 29 April 1770. Cook and his party explored around Kurnell Peninsula, and left the bay on 6 May. During their brief stay, a Scottish seaman named Forbes Sutherland died of tuberculosis. In his honour, Cook named the northwest point of the peninsula Point Sutherland.[25]

The British government needed a new site for transported convicts as they had lost their American colonies following defeat in the American Revolutionary War. Botany Bay was chosen as the new penal settlement and the First Fleet under Governor Arthur Phillip anchored off Kurnell on 18 January 1788. After sending a party to clear land for settlement, Phillip soon realised the area was unsuitable. There was lack of shelter for ships, inadequate water and poor soil. On 24 January, two French ships were sighted off the coast, causing Phillip to raise English colours near Sutherland Point. Governor Phillip sailed north to explore Port Jackson, and eventually settled at Sydney Cove.

The first landowner in Sutherland Shire was James Birnie, a mercantile trader who was granted by promise 700 acres (280 ha) at Kurnell in 1815.[26] After the completion of official surveying, a large part of what is now Sutherland Shire was proclaimed as the Hundred of Woronora by Governor Richard Bourke in 1835. Title to land was not granted by the Crown until 1856, before which there was practically no settlement. Timber cutting was the primary industry, supplemented by shell gathering in the Port Hacking area.

With the opening of Crown Lands sales in the Sutherland Shire, Thomas Holt purchased 12,000 acres (4,900 ha). His developmental projects included oyster farms,[27] cattle grazing, and coal mining.[26] The investment which proved profitable however, were his timber leases. He constructed a magnificent manor on the foreshores of Sylvania, called Sutherland House, based on English feudal lines.[28] Due to 99-year leases, Holt's estate reduced development in the Sutherland Shire even into the 20th century.[29]

Development of transport

[edit]
A train in Sutherland circa 1920

The main mode of transport in the area was originally by water. Farmers' ships sailed up the coast into Botany Bay, and up the Georges and Woronora rivers, avoiding the wharfage and custom dues at Port Jackson. The first public road, the Illawarra Road (now called the Old Illawarra Road) to the "Five Islands" (now Wollongong), was constructed between 1842 and 1845 with convict labour. A new southern line of road was completed in 1864, linking up with the Illawarra Road at Engadine. Today this virtually is the line of the Princes Highway, the main north–south thoroughfare through Sutherland Shire.

A railway line was extended from Hurstville in 1884 to develop the rich Illawarra district. The railway brought into being firstly a huge shanty town on the heights of Como, and later developed the area into a holiday centre. Sutherland railway station was opened in 1885, named after John Sutherland, a Minister of Works during the 1870s who had argued most forcefully[citation needed] for the railway.

Panorama of Caringbah, circa 1920

At this time, the greater part of the Sutherland Shire was connected only by access tracks. A road soon opened between the railway station and Cronulla Beach, catering mostly to families and fishing parties. This was followed by the Sutherland-Cronulla steam tram service, which was inaugurated in 1911. Not only did the service greatly increase the popularity of the Cronulla beaches, but it was of great advantage to the slowly developing business interests in the Sutherland Shire.

Increasing motor traffic caused a falling-off of passengers and the tram passenger service closed in 1931. The goods service ceased the following year. Increased road traffic with the north led to the opening of the first road bridge into the Shire, at Tom Ugly's Point, in 1929. The six-lane Captain Cook Bridge over the Georges River, spanning Rocky Point and Taren Point, was opened in 1965, replacing the completely inadequate ferry service.[30]

Residential development

[edit]
Flats in Miranda

Coastal and river frontage areas, such as Como, Illawong, Cronulla, Illawarra and Yowie Bay, became popular as country retreats. A form of voluntary local government was attempted in 1888, but law and order was still administered by the court at Liverpool until 1905. In that year, the Local Government (Shires) Act 1905 (NSW)[dead link] provided that the whole of New South Wales be divided into shires. The State Governor, Harry Rawson selected the name, and proclaimed this district "Sutherland, No. 133" on 6 March 1906 and fixed the boundaries. At the time, Sutherland Shire had 1600 residents, and was divided into three ridings.

With only a small rates base, one of the early problems for the council was the provision of new roads. The construction of the Sutherland-Cronulla tramway by the Railways Commission went far in stimulating business activity and driving land sales. The population of Sutherland Shire increased from 2,896 in 1911, when the tramway opened, to over 7,500 in 1913. By 1931 the population had exceeded 12,000.[citation needed]

After the Second World War, the Housing Commission, under the auspices of William McKell, began acquiring land to build "homes for heroes", including in the Shire.[31] It was not until the early 1950s that this district of scattered dwellings, vacant blocks and quiet villages became a suburban area of Sydney. Until this time, Sutherland Shire was not considered part of the Sydney Urban Area, but was part of Metropolitan Sydney.

Associated with this growth of population was industrial, social and commercial development. The Sutherland Shire Libraries system was established in 1953 in a former doctor's home at Sutherland with 8,000 books. The Captain Cook Drive from Caringbah to Kurnell was constructed in 1953 in conjunction with the establishment in 1956 of the Kurnell Refinery. In the suburb of Lucas Heights, the Australian Atomic Energy Commission, which is now organised as the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), established its main research campus and its first nuclear reactor (HIFAR) in 1956. The reactor went critical on 26 January 1958, before shutting down and undergoing decommissioning in early 2007.

In terms of residential development, one of the most imaginative homebuilding concepts has been Sylvania Waters. In this community, individually designed family homes were built around a series of man-made canals. The urban release of land in the Menai district, to the west of the Woronora River, commenced in the 1970s.[30]

Contemporary history

[edit]
View of Cronulla from Burraneer

In January 1994, the 1994 Eastern seaboard fires destroyed parts of Como West, Jannali and Bonnet Bay; and affected the southern suburbs of Bundeena, Maianbar and Heathcote.[32]

In the 2011 census, Sutherland Shire was the second[dubiousdiscuss] most populous local government area in New South Wales, and eighth in Australia overall.[5]

In December 2005, following incidents at the Cronulla beaches culminating in an assault on a lifeguard by youth of Lebanese descent, an anonymous text message, publicised by major media outlets in Australia, called on people to gather at Cronulla beach on the following Sunday and attack "wogs and lebs". On 11 December 2005 and the days that followed, a series of riots and retaliatory attacks broke out in Cronulla and other beach-side suburbs in Sydney's east which saw numerous assaults. There were two non-fatal stabbings and property damage, especially to motor vehicles. There were many people arrested, over one hundred charged, and extensive national and international media interest.[33][34][35]

The Sutherland Shire is home to a population of approximately 140 koalas, which are an endangered species.[36]

Heritage listings

[edit]

Sutherland Shire has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

Geography

[edit]
Port Hacking estuary

Under the 1853 proclamation, the western boundary of district was the Woronora River. With the establishment of the Sutherland Shire on 6 March 1906, the western boundary was extended to take in more agricultural land in an area which is now modern day Menai. In 1919, the Illawong area was also transferred to the council. The Shire now has an area of 370 square kilometres (140 sq mi), of which 173 square kilometres (67 sq mi) is state-designated national parkland.

The northern border of the Sutherland Shire can be crossed via four bridges: three road bridges (Alfords Point, Tom Uglys and Captain Cook) and the Como railway bridge. To the west, the Heathcote Road leading out of the Sutherland Shire passes by the Holsworthy military reserve. To the south, the Princes Highway runs out of Waterfall towards the City of Wollongong. The eastern border is bounded by the Tasman Sea.

In the eastern part the Sutherland Shire has a varying landscape of rugged sea cliffs and sandy beaches, and swampy bay coasts backed by sand dunes. To the west the surface consists of a broad plateau rising gently to the southwest, and cut into by several deep river gorges.[47]

Geology

[edit]
Cronulla sand dunes

The geology of Sutherland Shire, whilst sharing characteristics with the North Shore, is very different from the western and central suburbs of Sydney. Above the coal-bearing rocks is found the Narrabeen Group, mostly made up of layers of sandstone and characteristic red claystone beds. Overlying the Narrabeen Group is the Hawkesbury Sandstone, the rock unit most characteristic of the Shire. Occasional patches of Ashfield shale overlay the Hawkesbury sandstone. Some time later than the Triassic period – possibly early Tertiary – minor volcanic activity occurred in the area . This took the form of intrusion of a number of dykes of basaltic rock which forced their way up through the sedimentary rocks. Due to the wetting and drying action of the weather the basaltic rock of the dykes has changed to clay.

From the end of the Triassic period to the middle of the Tertiary period, soft material was worn down or removed by wind and running water. In the final stages of this period of erosion the climate was apparently rather wetter and more humid than today's, causing the exposed rocks to change and form laterite soil, which is abundant in the Sutherland Shire.

River system

[edit]
Gymea Bay

A little later in the Tertiary, tilting occurred south of the Georges River. The slow uplift, taking perhaps several million years, formed the present Woronora Plateau, a surface which rises gently in the south. This process caused the river system in the Shire to flow in steeper watercourses. They then became more active, carving the steep gorges of Woronora, Hacking, Georges Rivers and their tributaries which can be seen today. Waterfalls such as those at Waterfall and Undola also formed during this period. Water supplies within the shire are of two kinds. The main source is the surface supply provided by the Woronora Dam, which is built in the deep gorge of Woronora River. A second source exists in the form of underground water.

During the last ice age, the rivers had to do additional work cutting down through the rocks to reach the lower and more distant ocean, leading to the "valley-in-valley" shape of many of the deep gorges in the Sutherland Shire. When sea levels rose again, the silt and sand carried by the rivers gradually built up a considerable thickness of sediment. Sediment filled the area between Kurnell (then an island) and Miranda. Sand dunes began to accumulate in the Kurnell area and the mud and sand flats of Quibray and Gunnamatta Bays began to form. The Kurnell sand dunes have provided a cheap source of sand for the southern suburbs of Sydney but in the process of exploitation this area has been robbed of its character and the removal of vegetation has opened the way to erosion.

Royal National Park

[edit]

The Premier John Robertson dedicated 18,000 acres (7,300 ha) to "The National Park" (now the Royal National Park), gazetted in 1879. This makes it the second oldest park of its kind in the world after Yellowstone National Park in America, although there is no public gazette record for Yellowstone until the 1880s, making a valid claim for The Royal National Park being the oldest in the world. In 1880 the Park was increased to 33,000 acres (13,000 ha). Today it is just under 44,000 acres (18,000 ha). The National Park was given the prefix "Royal" after Queen Elizabeth visited the park in 1954.

Urban structure

[edit]

Sutherland Shire is now predominantly a residential area with commercial centres and minor industrial and rural areas. The commercial centres of the council are located in the suburbs of Sutherland, Miranda (home to Westfield Miranda), Cronulla, Caringbah, Menai and Engadine. Sutherland Shire's old mantra was:

The suburb of Kurnell, which includes the site of the first landing site of James Cook, was also the site of a former oil refinery. Nearby is Towra Point Nature Reserve, a wetland of international importance. Australia's first and only nuclear reactor facilities are in the suburb of Lucas Heights. The reactor, run by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) is not a power station but is used for the production of radiopharmaceuticals, for research and irradiation.

The isolated suburbs of Bundeena and Maianbar are situated on the southern shore of Port Hacking between the water and the Royal National Park. They are accessible by boat, including a regular ferry service from Cronulla to Bundeena operated by Cronulla & National Park Ferry Cruises or by road through the national park.

Significant parks and reserves

[edit]

Facilities

[edit]
Sutherland Hospital
The Yarrawarrah windmill is a local landmark
Peace Park in Sutherland

Education

[edit]

There are now nearly 100 schools in the Sutherland Shire including the Gymea and Loftus Colleges of Technical and Further Education, a technology high school (Gymea Technology High School), one of the ten academically selective high schools in New South Wales (Caringbah High School), a sports oriented high school (Endeavour Sports High School), more than twenty secondary schools, preschool centres, and special schools provided to serve children with specific learning needs.

Health

[edit]

The Sutherland Hospital and Kareena Private Hospital are both located at Caringbah and President Private Hospital is located in Kirrawee.

Transport

[edit]

The Sutherland Shire is serviced by Transit Systems and U-Go Mobility bus services and Sydney Trains services on the Illawarra line.

Emergency services

[edit]

Fire and Rescue NSW has stations at Miranda, Sutherland, Cronulla, Engadine and Bundeena. The NSW Ambulance Service has stations at Caringbah (Sutherland Hospital), Engadine in the south and Menai in the west and Bundeena. Due to the large area designated as National Park and the prevalence of bushland in the area Sutherland Shire has 12 New South Wales Rural Fire Service stations. There are stations located at Bundeena, Engadine, Grays Point, Heathcote, Illawong, Kurnell, Loftus, Maianbar, Menai (currently relocating to Barden Ridge), Sandy Point, Waterfall and Woronora. These brigades attend fires, vehicle accidents, missing persons searches and community education days. Good coverage in the area from Fire and Rescue NSW also means that these Rural Fire Service members are regularly sent out of area to help the rest of New South Wales and on occasion interstate. The Sutherland Shire also has a State Emergency Service unit based at Heathcote with facilities at Menai and shared facilities at Woronora.

Surf life saving and river life saving

[edit]

There are four surf life saving clubs, a surf life saving offshore rescue boat and Marine Rescue NSW base located at Cronulla and a river life saving club and Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Service boats located at Woronora. The clubs and boats provide life saving and first aid services to the many visitors to the Sutherland Shire's beaches and rivers. The four surf clubs from south to north are: Cronulla SLSC, North Cronulla SLSC, Elouera SLSC and Wanda SLSC. The offshore rescue boat operated by the Cronulla District Lifesaver Rescue frequently assists in major marine rescues along the Sydney coast.

Culture

[edit]

Anthony Redmond claims the Shire has a reputation for insular localism that also manifests itself in surf culture, has a high conservative vote and is Sydney's fourth largest Bible belt.[48]

  • The National Rugby League football club, the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks are the major local professional sports team. They have an average attendance of 12,000-15,000.
  • North Cronulla Surf Life Saving club doubled as a police station in the television series White Collar Blue.
  • Southern Districts Rugby Club is the premier grade rugby union football club for the Sutherland Shire and are known as the "Rebels".
  • The Sutherland Sharks Football Club[49] is the Sutherland Shire's New South Wales Premier League 1 Team in soccer.
  • Sutherland Shire Football Association[50] is the largest Football Association in the Southern Hemisphere.
  • The Cronulla-Sutherland District Rugby Football League is the second-largest local rugby league competition in Sydney.
  • Four winners of the world's biggest triathlon, the Ironman World Championships in Kailua-Kona Hawaii, call the Sutherland Shire home. Cronulla Triathlon Club athletes Greg Welch (1994), Michellie Jones (2006), Chris McCormack (2007 & 2010) and Craig Alexander (2008, 2009 & 2011). A resident of the Sutherland Shire won the race, considered the world's toughest one day sporting event, for six years running (2006–2011).
  • The 1979 novel, Puberty Blues by Gabrielle Carey and Kathy Lette, is a teen novel about the lives of two girls from the lower middle class of the Sutherland Shire.
  • The 1981 film Puberty Blues and the 2012 TV series Puberty Blues are both based on the novel and predominantly filmed around the Sutherland Shire, including Cronulla Beach and the southern campus of Caringbah High School.
  • The television reality shows Sylvania Waters and The Shire follow the lives of residents in the Sutherland Shire.

Economy

[edit]

According to a National Institute of Economic and Industry Research profile in 2016, the Gross Regional Product of the Sutherland Shire is estimated to be $9.74 billion, 1.9% of NSW's Gross State Product.[51]

Retail

[edit]

The biggest commercial areas in the Sutheland Shire are located at Miranda, Menai, Sylvania, Kirrawee, Caringbah and Cronulla. Miranda is the main retail and commercial centre of the Sutherland Shire, being home to Westfield Miranda along with Lederer Miranda and Kiora Centre as the two nearby smaller shopping centres.

Southgate is another major shopping complex, located in Sylvania. Cronulla is also a popular retail and commercial centre, with numerous restaurants and cafes and a considerable number of surf stores and other clothing and fashion shops.

Other neighbourhood shopping centres have also developed at Bangor, Illawong, Kareela, Jannali, Yarrawarrah and Menai together with a small centre at Alfords Point. Gymea Shopping Village attracts many people, with a regional arts centre, Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Arts Centre, and a cafe and restaurant scene.

Nuclear science

[edit]

Since 1956, Sutherland Shire has been home to ANSTO’s Lucas Heights research campus, and the HIFAR, MOATA and OPAL nuclear reactors. In the past, ANSTO, then known as the AAEC, conducted scientific research into the nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear medicine, and methods for enriching uranium. It is thought that this was to support Australia’s fledgling nuclear weapons program, which is assumed to have lasted from the Menzies government in the 1950s until the election of the Whitlam government in the early 1970s.

Sister cities

[edit]

The Sutherland Shire maintains sister city relations with the following cities:[52]

There are also two informal relationships:

See also

[edit]

Other See Also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Including local groups.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Sutherland Shire (A)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 5 July 2017. Edit this at Wikidata
  2. ^ "3218.0 – Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2017–18". Australian Bureau of Statistics. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2019. Estimated resident population (ERP) at 30 June 2018.
  3. ^ Sutherland Shire Councillors Sutherland Shire Council
  4. ^ "Birthplace of modern Australia". Archived from the original on 11 October 2009. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
  5. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Sutherland Shire (A)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 8 December 2012. Edit this at Wikidata
  6. ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Sutherland Shire (A)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
  7. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (9 March 2006). "Sutherland Shire (A)". 2001 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 8 December 2012. Edit this at Wikidata
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh "Historical list of mayors and councillors" (PDF). SSC. Sutherland Shire Council. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  9. ^ "Jean Manuel MBE". Local History - Sutherland Shire Libraries. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  10. ^ Trembath, Murray (24 June 2021). "'Giant of the Menai area' farewelled". St George and Sutherland Shire Leader. Australian Community Media. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  11. ^ "Rankin, Genevieve". AWR. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  12. ^ "Sutherland (N.S.W. : Shire). Council. - Mayors". Local History - Sutherland Shire Libraries. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  13. ^ a b c d e f Raue, Ben (5 May 2021). "Sutherland council election, 2021". The Tally Room. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  14. ^ Trembath, Murray (21 July 2021). "Mayor Steve Simpson calls time after 27 years". St George and Sutherland Shire Leader. Australian Community Media. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  15. ^ Trembath, Murray (28 September 2015). "Meet the new shire mayor: Carmelo Pesce". St George and Sutherland Shire Leader. Australian Community Media. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  16. ^ "Sutherland Shire - Elections". vtr.elections.nsw.gov.au. New South Wales Electoral Commission. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  17. ^ Trembath, Murray (1 October 2024). "Independents Day: Pesce and Provan back in shock council election outcome". St George and Sutherland Shire Leader. Australian Community Media. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  18. ^ Cowell, Laura. "Laura Cowell". Laura Cowell. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  19. ^ "OVERDEVELOPMENT Is it being checked?". Sutherland Shire Environment Centre. Archived from the original on 14 May 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  20. ^ Raue, Ben. "Sutherland Shire election, 2016". The Tally Room. Archived from the original on 14 May 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  21. ^ Trembath, Murray (10 August 2024). "'Dysfunction': Labor slams Liberal Party infighting over council election". St George & Sutherland Shire Leader. Archived from the original on 8 September 2024. Retrieved 10 September 2024. Cr Jack Boyd, the leader of the Labor team for the election
  22. ^ "Traditional landowners". Archived from the original on 15 September 2009. Retrieved 23 August 2010.
  23. ^ "Cabbage Tree Basin Port Hacking, NSW" (PDF). Retrieved 5 April 2017.
  24. ^ "A Short History of the Area". Sutherland Shire Region Guides. Archived from the original on 29 May 2003.
  25. ^ "History of Sutherland Shire" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 September 2009. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
  26. ^ a b M. Hutton Neve (October 2000). "A brief history of Sutherland Shire" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 September 2009. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
  27. ^ Towra Point Nature Reserve
  28. ^ Pollon, Frances, ed. (1990). The Book of Sydney Suburbs. Australia: Angus & Robertson Publishers. ISBN 0-207-14495-8.
  29. ^ "A HISTORY OF HAZELHURST REGIONAL GALLERY AND ARTS CENTRE" (PDF). sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  30. ^ a b "webpage name tba". Sutherland Shire Council.
  31. ^ "A HISTORY OF HAZELHURST REGIONAL GALLERY AND ARTS CENTRE" (PDF). sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  32. ^ Mutton, Sheree (9 January 2014). "Shire fire horror still lingers 20 years on". St George & Sutherland Shire Leader. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  33. ^ "Strike Force Neil, Cronulla Riots, Review of the Police Response Media Component Volume 1 of 4" (PDF-19.4 MB). Retrieved 11 December 2015.
  34. ^ "Strike Force Neil, Cronulla Riots, Review of the Police Response Media Component Volume 2 of 4" (PDF-16.9 MB). Retrieved 11 December 2015.
  35. ^ "Strike Force Neil, Cronulla Riots, Review of the Police Response Media Component Volume 3 of 4" (PDF-18.8 MB). Retrieved 11 December 2015.
  36. ^ "Koalas". sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au. 19 January 2023.
  37. ^ "Audley historic recreational complex". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H00976. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  38. ^ "Fernleigh". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H00302. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  39. ^ "Cronulla Sand Dune and Wanda Beach Coastal Landscape". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01668. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  40. ^ "Cronulla Railway Station group". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01123. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  41. ^ "Cronulla Fisheries Centre, The". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01011. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  42. ^ "Lyons House". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01930. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  43. ^ "Heathcote Hall". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H00191. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  44. ^ "Kamay Botany Bay National Park (North and South) and Towra Point Nature Reserve". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01918. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  45. ^ "Loftus Junction railway signal box". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01182. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  46. ^ "Woronora Dam". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01378. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  47. ^ Location of the Sutherland Shire – Sutherland Shire Region Guides
  48. ^ Redmond, Anthony (2007). "Surfies Versus Westies: Kinship, Mateship and Sexuality in the Cronulla Riots". The Australian Journal of Anthropology. 18 (3). Proquest: 336–351. doi:10.1111/j.1835-9310.2007.tb00100.x. hdl:1885/50705.
  49. ^ http://www.sutherlandsharksfc.com.au/ Sutherland Sharks Football Club – Official website
  50. ^ http://shirefootball.com.au/ Sutherland Shire Football Association – Official website
  51. ^ "Economic profile | Sutherland Shire | economy.id". economy.id.com.au. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  52. ^ "Sister Cities". About the Shire. Sutherland Shire Council. Archived from the original on 23 April 2011. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
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