Introduction to Blue Mountains City Council
MODULE 1
Overview of the Council
The Blue Mountains City Council is responsible for approximately 140,377 hectares (542 square miles), 26 townships or villages and has a population of approximately 76,000.
The inauguration of local government in the Blue Mountains commenced on 4 January 1889 when the Municipality of Katoomba was incorporated and in 1890 the first Katoomba Council was formed.
The Kanimbla Shire Council was incorporated on 13 June 1906. At this time the Council covered the major part of the Mountains except for Katoomba. On 14 December 1919 the separate Municipality of Blackheath was incorporated, being taken from the Blue Mountains Shire area. At this stage, there were three Councils operating in the Blue Mountains area and it later became necessary to form a county council to supervise the distribution of electricity and water supplies in the area. On 1 July 1944 the Blue Mountains County Council was established. Other duties of this County Council were the supervision and operation of the sewerage schemes.
In May 1946 Katoomba was proclaimed a City. On 1 October 1947 the Municipality of Blackheath, the City Katoomba and the Blue Mountains Shire Council, together with Blue Mountains County Council, incorporated to become the Blue Mountains City Council.
Further changes took place on 1 January 1980 when the electricity function was transferred to Prospect County Council and on 1 July 1980 when the Metropolitan Water, Sewerage and Drainage Board assumed responsibility for water supply and sewerage services in the City.
Further changes to the structure of local government and Blue Mountains City Council were made on 1 July 1993, when the NSW Local Government Act took effect. This Act changed the responsibilities of the Mayor and Councillors and separated the functions more clearly from those of the General Manager. The new Act has forced local government to become more responsible and accountable. One of the significant changes has been to place all senior staff on performance based contracts.
Blue Mountains City Council has 12 Councillors (including the Mayor who is elected by the Councillors), representing 4 Wards within the City. The General Manager is appointed by the Council to manage the administration of the Council and in turn, the General Manager appoints staff within Council.
Strategic Direction of Council
Council has actively responded to the new Integrated Planning and Reporting Reforms for NSW Local Government. These reforms require all council's in NSW to adopt a strong sustainability focus with at least a 10 year strategic business planning framework relative to their Local Government Areas and the activities of the council. The Council is aiming to implement the reforms in 2010.
The Community
The Census 2006 demonstrated a small decline in population as well as an aging demographic. The main industry in the area is Tourism and Council, along with the health industry, are the largest single employers.
