Plattsburg Council

After petitions from residents, a northern section of Wallsend municipality was separated and proclaimed as the “Borough of Plattsburg” on 27 December 1876.

Commencing at the north-west corner of the Borough of Wallsend, as proclaimed 27th February, 1874; and bounded thence on the west by part of the west boundary of that Borough bearing south 120 chains to the boundary dividing W. C. Wentworth’s 986 acres from the Newcastle and Wallsend Company’s land; thence on the south by part of the south boundaries of W. C- Wentworth’s 986 acres aforesaid and H. and C. Cowper and G. Miller’s 1,280 acres grant, in trust, bearing east in all 120 chains ; thence by a line bearing south chains to the Wallsend Coal Company’s line of railway; thence along the northern side of the Wallsend Coal Company’s line of railway north-easterly, to the east boundary of the Borough of Wallsend, as proclaimed 27th February, 1874, aforesaid ; thence on the east by part of that boundary bearing north about 73 chains to the north-east corner of that Borough; and thence on the north by the north boundary of that Borough bearing west 240 chains, to the point of commencement.

NSW Government Gazette, 27 December 1876.
The 1876 Plattsburg municipality area (shaded in yellow) that was separated from Wallsend municipality (white square).

The original boundary of Plattsburg Council included areas of the following current suburbs

Parish of Kahibah map that shows part of the southern border (shaded in cyan for visibility) of the Borough of Plattsburg. Historical Land Records Viewer.
  1. Fletcher
  2. Maryland
  3. Shortland
  4. Birmingham Gardens
  5. Wallsend
Plattsburg Council area outlined in yellow, with the present day suburbs shaded in various colours.

Plattsburg Council was merged back into Wallsend Council on 20 October 1915.

Questions yet to be answered

  • Where was Plattsburg council chambers located, and are there any photographs of it?

Wallsend Council

Wallsend Council was incorporated on 27 February 1874. The municipality proclaimed was a square area of 240 chains (3 miles) on each side.

Commencing at the south-eastern corner stone of the Wallsend Coal Company’s Estate, at the south-eastern corner of J. B. Weller’s 320 acres grant; and bounded thence on part of the east by the east boundary of that grant and part of the east boundary of J. B. Weller’s 1,200 acres grant, being in all a line bearing north 120 chains, and forming partly the west boundaries of the Municipal Districts of Lambton and Waratah; on the north by a line west, passing through the 1,200 acres grant aforesaid, H. and C. Cowper and G. Miller’s 1,280 acres grant (in trust), and A. W. Scott’s 598 acres grant, 240 chains; on the west by part of the boundary dividing A. W. Scott’s 598 acres aforesaid, and W. C. Wentworth’s 640 acres, and its southerly prolongation, passing through W. C. Wentworth’s 986 acres grant and Newcastle Wallsend Company’s 181 acres and part of 166 acres, being a line bearing south in all 240 chains ; on the south by a line bearing east, passing through Newcastle Wallsend Company’s 166 acres aforesaid, and 159 acres, and J. Weller’s 2,560 acres grant, about 240 chains to the western boundary of Morehead and Young’s 320 acres, portion 16, parish of Newcastle; and on the remainder of the east by part of the west boundary of that portion and the west boundary of Morehead and Young’s portion 15, and part of the western boundary of the Municipal District of Lambton, being the west boundary of Morehead and Young’s portion 14, and W. A. Steel’s 80 acres, bearing northerly in all 120 chains, to the point of commencement.

NSW Government Gazette, 27 February 1874.
1904 electoral boundaries map, with the 1874 Wallsend Municipality boundary added. University of Newcastle, Living Histories.

The original boundary of Wallsend Council included areas of the following current suburbs

  1. Fletcher
  2. Maryland
  3. Shortland
  4. Birmingham Gardens
  5. Jesmond
  6. Lambton
  7. New Lambton Heights
  8. Rankin Park
  9. Elermore Vale
  10. Wallsend
Wallsend Council area outlined in white, with the present day suburbs shaded in various colours.

In December 1876 the northern part of Wallsend municipality was separated to form the Borough of Plattsburg, leaving a reduced area for Wallsend Council.

Area of Wallsend Council in December 1876 shaded green.

On 20 October 1915 Plattsburg Council was merged back into Wallsend Council, restoring its original area.

1920s map showing the area of Wallsend Council, restored to its original square of 3 miles on each side. University of Newcastle, Living Histories.
Wallsend Council Chambers, 6 Metcalfe St. (Years of use yet to be determined.) University of Newcastle, Living Histories.

From 1930 to 1937, the council chambers were in the School of Arts building at 69 Cowper St.

Wallsend Council Chambers (1930 to 1937)
Wallsend Council Chambers (1930 to 1937). University of Newcastle, Living Histories.
Wallsend School of Arts building. March 2016.

Questions yet to be answered

  • Where were the other Wallsend council chambers located?