City of Ryde

Council History

In 1870, a petition signed by 201 local householders was submitted to the Governor, requesting the establishment of a municipal district to be divided into three wards and named Ryde.

Following this, the Municipal District of Ryde was officially incorporated under the Municipalities Act 1867 and proclaimed on 12 November 1870. However, due to an error in the original proclamation concerning the western boundary, Ryde was re-proclaimed in 1872.

The first election of aldermen took place on 10 February 1871, with three aldermen elected per ward. Edward Terry was chosen as the first Mayor and later went on to represent Ryde in the New South Wales State Parliament.

In 1894, the area of Marsfield became a separate municipality. It was renamed Eastwood Municipality in 1907, and remained independent until 1949, when it was re-amalgamated with Ryde.

In its early years, Ryde Council focused primarily on roads—their condition, surfacing, and related rates. By 1872, the first year rates were collected, the total revenue was around $1,000, serving a population of 1,461. Progress was slow in the beginning, but the introduction of the Local Government Act 1906 helped modernise local administration. Under this act, the Council's name officially changed to the Municipality of Ryde.

By 1913, Mayor Anderson reported "extensive works in road making, kerbing and guttering" and noted that these improvements had significantly increased property values. However, the most transformative changes in Ryde occurred after World War I.

The first Council Chambers were located in the Old Wesleyan Chapel on Church Street, from 1870 to 1879. The Council moved several times until a dedicated building was erected in 1922 on Blaxland Road. This served as Council’s base until the opening of a new Civic Centre in 1964.

Throughout the 20th century, Ryde Council undertook several major infrastructure projects. One of the most notable was the construction of the Ryde Bridge over the Parramatta River, which began in 1933 and opened in 1935. Funded by tolls, the bridge paid for itself within 13 years, after which it was handed over to the Department of Main Roads.

Perhaps the Council's most visionary initiative was the Ryde Housing Scheme, launched in 1946 amidst post-war shortages of materials and housing. Council borrowed approximately $5 million, building 593 homes and 6 shops, and provided loans to 400 ratepayers to build cottages on their own land. This scheme enabled many residents to access affordable, individual housing.

During the 1950s, Ryde became increasingly urbanised. The establishment of Macquarie University in the 1960s marked a turning point, paving the way for the development of technology parks in North Ryde. Former poultry farms and orchards were transformed into the high-tech hubs seen today.

Ryde was officially proclaimed a City by Governor Peter Sinclair on 20 September 1991, and with the Local Government Act 1993, aldermen were re-titled councillors, and the town clerk became known as the general manager.

Ryde’s elevation to City status in 1992 also marked the bicentenary of the first land grants in the area, cementing its place as a key part of Sydney’s historical and modern development.