About the Council
Bourke Municipality was proclaimed on 3rd September 1878 and spanned the period 1878 to 1955 when the Darling Shire Council was formed. In 1971 the Council was renamed Bourke Shire Council.
Edward John Bloxham was our first Mayor (1878) and subsequently became known as the "Father of Bourke".
Extracts of Minutes 1878 - 1884
(From "Bourke A History of Local Government" - Prepared by the Bourke Historical Society Research Secretary: W J Cameron)
20/11/1878 adopted: "That application be made to the Principal Under Secretary for permission to use the prisoners in Bourke ... upon such light public works as the Corporation may require, such for instance as the destroying of Bathurst Burr, which at present threaten to overrun many of the streets".
2/7/1879 The Mitchell Street footpaths to be formed and kerbed with 9 x 3 Murray gum, which is coming from Echuca per steamer ...
18/8/1880 moved and seconded "that the Bellman be sent around the town giving notice that all stock not registered by the 21st inst. be impounded".
9/2/1881 carried "that application be made to Government for half an acre on the Wharf Reserve adjoining the Church of England".
11/1/1882 carried unanimously "That levels of all streets in the Town of Bourke be taken as soon as possible with a view to the formation of a proper scheme of drainage".
17/2/1882 A Memorial is forwarded to the Minister of Justice expressing "indignation at the continued delay of the Government in neglecting to arrange for the holding of a Circuit Court in this Town".
Finances:-
The 1881 Estimates are: Expenditure £1260; Receipts £1359; Rateable Property £123,800
The 1882 Estimates are: Expenditure £2245; Receipts £2250; Rateable Property £164,263
The 1883 Estimates are: Expenditure £3060; Receipts £3100; Rateable Property £226,770
The 1884 Estimates include £1500 "for metalling the main streets of Bourke" and £850 for a Bridge across the Billabong on Oxley Street. Other Expenditure totals £1795 and Receipts £1795.
Bourke Shire Council Opening Hours
