The local government area extends from theParramatta River to theLane Cove River which encircles the area in the north, and is bounded in the east by the peninsula ofHunters Hill and theCity of Parramatta in the west. The City comprises an area of 40.651 square kilometres (15.695 sq mi) and as at the2021 census had an estimated population of 129,123.[1]
At the2021 census, there were 129,123 people in the Ryde local government area, of these 48.8% identified as male and 51.2% identified as female.Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 0.5% of the population. Themedian age of people in the City of Ryde was 37 years. Children aged 0 – 14 years made up 16.2% of the population and people aged 65 years and over made up 14.3% of the population. Of people in the area aged 15 years and over, 51% were married and 8.3% were either divorced or separated.
Population growth in the City of Ryde between the 2006 Census and the 2011 Census was 6.28%, and in the subsequent five years to the 2016 Census, population growth was 12.87%. When compared with total population growth of Australia of 8.81% during the same period, population growth in the Ryde local government area was approximately 50% higher than the national average.[16] The medianweekly income for residents within the City of Ryde was around 25% above the national average. At the 2021 Census, the Ryde local government area was linguistically diverse, with a significantly higher than average proportion (55.3%) where two or more languages are spoken (the national average was 24.8%); and a significantly lower proportion (46.3%) whereEnglish only was spoken at home (national average was 72.0%).[17][18][1]
Selected historical census data for Ryde local government area
The City of Ryde is composed of twelvecouncillors electedproportionally as three separatewards, each electing four councillors. All councillors are elected for a fixed four-year term of office. Themayor since2024 is directly elected for a four-year term. The most recent election was held on 14 September 2024. The makeup of the council is as follows:[20][21][22]
Areferendum was also undertaken at the election held on 4 December 2021, asking residents the following question:"Do you support a popularly elected Mayor where the voters of the City of Ryde elect the Mayor for a four (4) year term, thereby adopting a thirteen (13) Councillor model (including the Mayor)?". The final declared results were: 76.18% YES and 23.82% NO.[36] As a result, the position of mayor was directly elected from the next local government elections scheduled for2024.
Ryde Civic Centre (1964) by Buckland & Druce architects, was the council seat from 1964 to 2016. It was demolished in 2021.
In June 1870, 201 residents of the district of Ryde sent a petition to the governor, requesting the incorporation of the "Municipal District of Ryde".[39] This resulted in the municipality being formally proclaimed on 11 November 1870.[40] With a total land area of 40.6 square kilometres, Ryde was the largest Sydney municipality.[41] However, due to an error in the proclamation regarding the western boundary, a new proclamation was made on 11 June 1872.[42]
In June 1894 the northern section of the municipality known as Marsfield, was proclaimed as the "Municipal District of Marsfield".[43] In 1907, Marsfield became known as theMunicipality of Eastwood, and lasted until it was re-amalgamated with Ryde following the passing of theLocal Government (Areas) Act 1948.
With the passing of theLocal Government Act 1906, the council name was changed to be the "Municipality of Ryde". TheCity of Ryde was proclaimed by the Governor,Peter Sinclair, on 20 September 1991, and with the passing of theLocal Government Act 1993, aldermen were also retitled councillors and the town clerk became the general manager.[44][45]
On a Wreath of the Colours (Argent and Vert), a Sea Horse couchant Azure, charged on the shoulder with a representation of the Constellation of the Southern Cross Argent, in the mouth a Waratah Flower slipped and leaved proper, and supporting with the dexter leg a Cog Wheel Or.
Helm
A closed helmet.
Escutcheon
Vert, on a Chevron the point ensigned with a Cross Formy Argent, between in chief two Apples slipped and leaved, and in base a Sun rising Or, a pair of Dividers Gules, on a Chief wavy Barry wavy Azure and Argent a Cornu copia fesswise Or.
Supporters
On the dexter side a Private of Marines of the late Eighteenth Century, accoutred and armed, and on the sinister side a Colonial Settler also of that period supporting with the exterior hand a Musket all proper.
Compartment
A grassy mound proper.
Motto
Progress Through Endeavour
Other elements
Mantling Vert doubled Or.
Symbolism
Escutcheon: The green field alludes to the rural nature of the early Ryde district, and the white chevron signifies Ryde's residential areas. The red dividers in the refers to town planning and the Ryde Housing Scheme, which was established in the late 1930s by the council to develop affordable housing in the area.[89][90][91][92] The apex of the chevron is across pattée representing Christianity, and references the establishment of St Anne's Church in Ryde in 1826. The two golden apples are symbolic of the orchard industry and the creation of theGranny Smith apple inEastwood in 1868.[89] The rising sun recalls the district's original name, "Eastern Farms". The position of Ryde on the northern side of the Parramatta River and its position along the Lane Cove River is also referenced with the blue and white wavy bars. Thecornucopia is a symbol of the early agricultural industry of the region and the transport of produce by the waterways.[89]Crest: The seahorse is taken from the 1869 coat of arms granted to the Borough ofRyde, on theIsle of Wight, and also references the waterways. The seahorse is charged with theSouthern Cross for Australia. TheWaratah in the seahorse's mouth is theState Floral Emblem of New South Wales and also appears in themayoral chain. The golden cogwheel between the seahorse's legs denotes the flourishing of industry.[89]Supporters: ThePrivate of Marines supporter alludes to the fact that two Royal Marines were the first local land grantees, when GovernorArthur Phillip granted the first parcels of land in the district in 1792, and which likely resulted in the naming of theParish of Field of Mars. The positioning of the marine and the colonist is meant to represent the pioneers at the Field of Mars on the west; and at Hunter's Hill Parish, and Eastern Farms, orKissing Point, on the east.[89]
^"Election results: City of Ryde (West Ward) by-election" (Press release). NSW Electoral Commission.Archived from the original on 12 July 2024. Retrieved23 September 2023."Today we can officially announce the election of Justin Li to represent the West Ward in the City of Ryde," he said.
^"PETITION FOR MUNICIPALITY—RYDE".New South Wales Government Gazette. No. 139. 8 June 1870. p. 1240. Retrieved28 April 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
^"LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1919 - PROCLAMATION".Government Gazette Of The State Of New South Wales. No. 132. New South Wales, Australia. 20 September 1991. p. 8164. Retrieved25 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
^"THE CITY'S GROWTH. RYDE".Evening News. No. 15, 950. New South Wales, Australia. 27 July 1918. p. 6. Retrieved28 February 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
^"RYDE".The Daily Telegraph. No. 2370. New South Wales, Australia. 21 February 1887. p. 7. Retrieved28 February 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
^"DEATH OF A RYDE IDENTITY".Evening News. No. 12, 957. New South Wales, Australia. 18 December 1908. p. 10. Retrieved28 February 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
^"MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF RYDE".New South Wales Government Gazette. No. 109. New South Wales, Australia. 25 February 1887. p. 1353. Retrieved28 February 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
^"DEATH OF MR. WILLIAM SHORT".The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 19, 915. New South Wales, Australia. 8 January 1902. p. 7. Retrieved28 February 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
^"THE RYDE COUNCIL-CLERK".The Cumberland Mercury. Vol. XXX, no. 2157. New South Wales, Australia. 2 March 1895. p. 2. Retrieved28 February 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
^"A COUNCIL CLERK'S DEATH".Evening News. No. 10, 789. New South Wales, Australia. 8 January 1902. p. 3. Retrieved28 February 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
^"MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF RYDE".Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales. No. 163. New South Wales, Australia. 27 March 1903. p. 2471. Retrieved28 February 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
^"MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF RYDE".Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales. No. 406. New South Wales, Australia. 22 July 1904. p. 5762. Retrieved28 February 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Gentlemen Shout "Liars."".The Cumberland Argus And Fruitgrowers Advocate. Vol. XXX, no. 2549. New South Wales, Australia. 28 June 1919. p. 11. Retrieved28 February 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
^"MR. J. PARRY".The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 30, 497. New South Wales, Australia. 1 October 1935. p. 12. Retrieved28 February 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Cobar Native Honored".Western Age. Vol. 10, no. 891. New South Wales, Australia. 17 October 1919. p. 2. Retrieved28 February 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
^"NEW COUNCIL CLERK".The Cumberland Argus And Fruitgrowers Advocate. Vol. XXX, no. 2553. New South Wales, Australia. 12 July 1919. p. 8. Retrieved28 February 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
^"TOWN CLERK RESIGNS".The Cumberland Argus And Fruitgrowers Advocate. Vol. LXVI, no. 4288. New South Wales, Australia. 12 November 1936. p. 6. Retrieved28 February 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
^"HE BUILT HOUSES".Goulburn Evening Post. New South Wales, Australia. 13 January 1949. p. 4 (Daily and Evening). Retrieved28 February 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
^"CRITICISM IN RYDE".The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 34, 653. New South Wales, Australia. 14 January 1949. p. 4. Retrieved28 February 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
^"New Town Clerk For Ryde".The Daily Telegraph. Vol. XIII, no. 254. New South Wales, Australia. 13 January 1949. p. 7. Retrieved28 February 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
^"RYDE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.—PROPOSED SPECIAL LOAN OF".Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales. No. 165. New South Wales, Australia. 5 October 1951. p. 2892. Retrieved28 February 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
^"RYDE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.—FIXING OF LEVELS.—".Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales. No. 4. New South Wales, Australia. 11 January 1974. p. 114. Retrieved28 February 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
^"RYDE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL".Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales. No. 172. New South Wales, Australia. 18 November 1988. p. 6044. Retrieved28 February 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
^"RYDE CITY COUNCIL".Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales. No. 121. New South Wales, Australia. 2 October 1992. p. 7315. Retrieved28 February 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
^"RYDE CITY COUNCIL".Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales. No. 145. New South Wales, Australia. 9 October 1998. p. 8219. Retrieved28 February 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
^"RYDE HOUSING".The Sydney Morning Herald. New South Wales, Australia. 29 June 1938. p. 18. Retrieved25 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
^"GARDEN ESTATE".The Sydney Morning Herald. New South Wales, Australia. 18 August 1938. p. 13. Retrieved25 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Ryde Housing Scheme Praised By Premier".Border Morning Mail. New South Wales, Australia. 1 April 1948. p. 5. Retrieved25 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
94,244
22nd
1.48%
Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) underCC BY 4.0licence.