New Years Day in Marrickville LGA

1 January 1949 saw the amalgamation of St Peters and Petersham councils with Marrickville Council. 

Petersham Council were against the move, arguing, as they had to a proposed voluntary amalgamation in 1933, that a reduction in service provision and a loss of identity for ‘historic’ Petersham would result. Nonetheless, brought about by the Local Government (Areas) Act, 1948, it was part of a larger change in Sydney’s local government that saw the expansion of City of Sydney Council and the reduction of Councils in the County of Cumberland from 67 to 39. 

The move to form larger councils was seen to produce better efficiency for Councils, resulting in appropriate use and allocation of ratepayers’ money.  To mark the amalgamation, and retain the memory of St Peters and Petersham councils, new Mayoral chains were created bearing the emblems of all three councils. Until 1974 Marrickville Council met at the Petersham Town Hall, Crystal Street.