This is a list of local government areas (LGAs) in Victoria , sorted by region.
Also referred to as municipalities, the 79 Victorian LGAs are classified as cities (34), shires (38), rural cities (6) and boroughs (1). In general, an urban or suburban LGA is called a city and is governed by a city council, while a rural LGA covering a larger rural area is usually called a shire and is governed by a shire council. Local councils have the same administrative functions and similar political structures, regardless of their classification.
Local elections are held in Victoria every four years with the most recent elections being held in 2020.
Local government area | Council seat | Date established | Land area | Population (2021) [1] | Pop. density | Councillors (2022) | Map | Council / Shire Icon |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
City of Melbourne | Melbourne | 12 August 1842 | 37 km2 (14 sq mi) | 149,615 | 11,897 | 11 | ||
City of Port Phillip | St Kilda | 22 June 1994 | 21 km2 (8.1 sq mi) | 101,942 | 13,961 | 9 | ||
City of Stonnington | Malvern | 22 June 1994 | 26 km2 (10 sq mi) | 104,703 | 11,576 | 9 | ||
City of Yarra | Richmond | 22 June 1994 | 20 km2 (7.7 sq mi) | 90,114 | 12,758 | 9 | ||
City of Banyule | Greensborough | 15 December 1994 | 63 km2 (24 sq mi) | 126,236 | 5,354 | 9 | ||
City of Bayside | Sandringham | 15 December 1994 | 37 km2 (14 sq mi) | 101,306 | 7,400 | 7 | ||
City of Boroondara | Camberwell | 22 June 1994 | 60 km2 (23 sq mi) | 167,900 | 7,826 | 11 | ||
City of Darebin | Preston | 22 June 1994 | 54 km2 (21 sq mi) | 148,570 | 7,751 | 9 | ||
City of Glen Eira | Caulfield North | 15 December 1994 | 39 km2 (15 sq mi) | 148,908 | 10,218 | 9 | ||
City of Hobsons Bay | Altona | 22 June 1994 | 64 km2 (25 sq mi) | 91,322 | 3,904 | 7 | ||
City of Kingston | Cheltenham | 15 December 1994 | 91 km2 (35 sq mi) | 158,129 | 4,651 | 9 | ||
City of Manningham | Doncaster | 15 December 1994 | 113 km2 (44 sq mi) | 124,700 | 2,877 | 9 | ||
City of Maribyrnong | Footscray | 15 December 1994 | 31 km2 (12 sq mi) | 85,209 | 7,635 | 7 | ||
City of Monash | Glen Waverley | 15 December 1994 | 82 km2 (32 sq mi) | 190,397 | 6,319 | 11 | ||
City of Moonee Valley | Moonee Ponds | 15 December 1994 | 43 km2 (17 sq mi) | 121,851 | 7,703 | 9 | ||
City of Merri-bek | Coburg | 22 June 1994 | 51 km2 (20 sq mi) | 171,357 | 9,229 | 11 | ||
City of Whitehorse | Nunawading | 15 December 1994 | 64 km2 (25 sq mi) | 169,346 | 7,130 | 11 | ||
City of Brimbank | Sunshine | 15 December 1994 | 123 km2 (47 sq mi) | 194,618 | 4,395 | 11 | ||
Shire of Cardinia | Officer | 15 December 1994 | 1,283 km2 (495 sq mi) | 118,194 | 216 | 9 | ||
City of Casey | Narre Warren | 15 December 1994 | 409 km2 (158 sq mi) | 365,239 | 2,156 | 11 | ||
City of Frankston | Frankston | 15 December 1994 | 130 km2 (50 sq mi) | 139,281 | 2,826 | 9 | ||
City of Greater Dandenong | Dandenong | 15 December 1994 | 130 km2 (50 sq mi) | 158,208 | 3,309 | 11 | ||
City of Hume | Broadmeadows | 15 December 1994 | 504 km2 (195 sq mi) | 243,901 | 1,153 | 11 | ||
City of Knox | Wantirna South | 16 November 1963 | 114 km2 (44 sq mi) | 159,103 | 3,552 | 9 | ||
City of Maroondah | Ringwood | 15 December 1994 | 61 km2 (24 sq mi) | 115,043 | 4,989 | 9 | ||
City of Melton | Melton | 16 September 1862 | 528 km2 (204 sq mi) | 178,960 | 769 | 9 | ||
Shire of Mornington Peninsula | Rosebud | 15 December 1994 | 724 km2 (280 sq mi) | 168,948 | 593 | 11 | ||
Shire of Nillumbik | Greensborough | 15 December 1994 | 432 km2 (167 sq mi) | 62,895 | 389 | 7 | ||
City of Whittlesea | South Morang | 12 December 1862 | 490 km2 (190 sq mi) | 229,396 | 1,180 | 11 | ||
City of Wyndham | Werribee | 6 October 1862 | 542 km2 (209 sq mi) | 292,011 | 1,220 | 11 | ||
Shire of Yarra Ranges | Lilydale | 15 December 1994 | 2,468 km2 (953 sq mi) | 156,068 | 166 | 9 |
Local government area | Council seat | Date established | Land area [2] | Population | Councillors (2022) | Map | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
km2 | sq mi | (2013) [3] | (2021) [2] | |||||
Colac Otway Shire | Colac | 1994 | 3,438 | 1,327 | 21,035 | 22,423 | 7 | |
Corangamite Shire | Camperdown | 1994 | 4,408 | 1,702 | 16,410 | 16,115 | 7 | |
Shire of Glenelg | Portland | 1994 | 6,219 | 2,401 | 19,797 | 20,152 | 7 | |
City of Greater Geelong | Geelong | 1993 | 1,248 | 482 | 223,357 | 271,057 | 11 | |
Shire of Moyne | Port Fairy | 1994 | 5,482 | 2,117 | 16,431 | 17,374 | 7 | |
Borough of Queenscliffe | Queenscliff | 1863 | 8.6 | 3 | 3,002 | 3,276 | 5 | |
Shire of Southern Grampians | Hamilton | 1994 | 6,654 | 2,569 | 16,355 | 16,588 | 7 | |
Surf Coast Shire | Torquay | 1994 | 1,553 | 600 | 28,228 | 37,694 | 9 | |
City of Warrnambool | Warrnambool | 1855 | 121 | 47 | 33,423 | 35,406 | 7 |
Local government area | Council seat | Date established | Land area [2] | Population | Councillors (2022) | Map | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
km2 | sq mi | (2013) [3] | (2021) [2] | |||||
Rural City of Ararat | Ararat | 1994 | 4,211 | 1,626 | 11,490 | 11,880 | 7 | |
City of Ballarat | Ballarat | 1994 | 739 | 285 | 98,344 | 113,763 | 9 | |
Golden Plains Shire | Bannockburn | 1994 | 2,703 | 1,044 | 20,362 | 24,985 | 7 | |
Shire of Hepburn | Daylesford | 1995 | 1,473 | 569 | 15,022 | 16,604 | 7 | |
Shire of Hindmarsh | Nhill | 1995 | 7,524 | 2,905 | 5,852 | 5,698 | 6 | |
Rural City of Horsham | Horsham | 1995 | 4,267 | 1,647 | 19,694 | 20,429 | 7 | |
Shire of Moorabool | Ballan | 1994 | 2,111 | 815 | 30,410 | 37,632 | 7 | |
Shire of Northern Grampians | Stawell | 1995 | 5,730 | 2,212 | 11,880 | 11,948 | 7 | |
Pyrenees Shire | Beaufort | 1994 | 3,435 | 1,326 | 6,938 | 7,671 | 5 | |
Shire of West Wimmera | Edenhope | 1995 | 9,108 | 3,517 | 4,124 | 4,006 | 5 | |
Shire of Yarriambiack | Warracknabeal | 1995 | 7,326 | 2,829 | 7,032 | 6,556 | 7 |
Local government area | Council seat | Date established | Land area [2] | Population | Councillors (2022) | Map | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
km2 | sq mi | (2013) [3] | (2021) [2] | |||||
Bass Coast Shire | Wonthaggi | 1994 | 866 | 334 | 31,331 | 40,789 | 9 | |
Shire of Baw Baw | Warragul | 1994 | 4,028 | 1,555 | 45,627 | 57,626 | 9 | |
Shire of East Gippsland | Bairnsdale | 1994 | 20,940 | 8,085 | 43,809 | 48,715 | 9 | |
City of Latrobe | Morwell | 1994 | 1,426 | 551 | 74,124 | 77,318 | 9 | |
South Gippsland Shire | Leongatha | 1994 | 3,435 | 1,326 | 28,273 | 30,577 | 9 | |
Shire of Wellington | Sale | 1994 | 10,817 | 4,176 | 42,721 | 45,639 | 9 |
Local government area | Council seat | Date established | Land area [2] | Population | Councillors (2022) | Map | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
km2 | sq mi | (2013) [3] | (2021) [2] | |||||
Alpine Shire | Bright | 1994 | 4,788 | 1,849 | 12,283 | 13,235 | 7 | |
Rural City of Benalla | Benalla | 2002 | 2,353 | 908 | 13,878 | 14,528 | 7 | |
City of Greater Shepparton | Shepparton | 1994 | 2,422 | 935 | 63,244 | 68,409 | 9 | |
Shire of Indigo | Beechworth | 1994 | 2,040 | 788 | 15,605 | 17,368 | 7 | |
Shire of Mansfield | Mansfield | 2002 | 3,844 | 1,484 | 8,276 | 10,178 | 5 | |
Shire of Mitchell | Broadford | 1994 | 2,862 | 1,105 | 37,788 | 49,460 | 9 | |
Shire of Moira | Cobram | 1994 | 4,046 | 1,562 | 25,401 | 30,522 | 9 | |
Shire of Murrindindi | Alexandra | 1994 | 3,880 | 1,498 | 13,563 | 15,197 | 7 | |
Shire of Strathbogie | Euroa | 1994 | 3,303 | 1,275 | 9,119 | 11,455 | 7 | |
Shire of Towong | Tallangatta | 1994 | 6,675 | 2,577 | 5,961 | 6,223 | 5 | |
Rural City of Wangaratta | Wangaratta | 1997 | 3,645 | 1,407 | 27,650 | 29,808 | 7 | |
City of Wodonga | Wodonga | 1876 | 433 | 167 | 37,575 | 43,253 | 7 |
Local government area | Council seat | Date established | Land area [2] | Population | Councillors (2022) | Map | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
km2 | sq mi | (2013) [3] | (2021) [2] | |||||
Shire of Buloke | Wycheproof | 1995 | 8,000 | 3,089 | 6,388 | 6,178 | 7 | |
Shire of Campaspe | Echuca | 1994 | 4,519 | 1,745 | 37,213 | 38,735 | 9 | |
Shire of Central Goldfields | Maryborough | 1995 | 1,533 | 592 | 12,815 | 13,483 | 7 | |
Shire of Gannawarra | Kerang | 1995 | 3,735 | 1,442 | 10,526 | 10,683 | 7 | |
City of Greater Bendigo | Bendigo | 1994 | 3,000 | 1,158 | 105,957 | 121,470 | 9 | |
Shire of Loddon | Wedderburn | 1995 | 6,696 | 2,585 | 7,518 | 7,759 | 5 | |
Shire of Macedon Ranges | Kyneton | 1994 | 1,748 | 675 | 44,595 | 51,458 | 9 | |
Rural City of Mildura | Mildura | 1995 | 22,083 | 8,526 | 53,156 | 56,972 | 9 | |
Shire of Mount Alexander | Castlemaine | 1995 | 1,530 | 591 | 18,247 | 20,253 | 7 | |
Rural City of Swan Hill | Swan Hill | 1995 | 6,115 | 2,361 | 21,003 | 21,403 | 7 |
There are 137 local government areas of Western Australia (LGAs), which are areas, towns and districts in Western Australia that manage their own affairs to the extent permitted by the Local Government Act 1995. The Local Government Act 1995 also makes provision for regional local governments (referred to as "regional councils", established by two or more local governments for a particular purpose.
The City of Wyndham is a local government area in Victoria, Australia in the outer south-western suburbs of Melbourne, within the Melbourne Metropolitan Area, between Melbourne and the regional city of Geelong. It has an area of 542 square kilometres (209 sq mi). The city had a population of 255,322 in June 2018. For the year to 2018 the City of Wyndham increased its population by 14,251, the largest number of any LGA in Victoria, as well as being the second most populous and the second fastest growing at a rate of 5.9 per cent.
The City of Melton is a local government area in Victoria, Australia, on Melbourne's western rural–urban fringe.
The Rural City of Ararat is a local government area in Victoria, Australia, located in the western part of the state. It covers an area of 4,211 square kilometres (1,626 sq mi) and in the 2021 had a population of 11,880.
The City of Ballarat is a local government area in the west of the state of Victoria, Australia. It covers an area of 739 square kilometres (285 sq mi) and, in June 2018, had a population of 107,325. It is primarily urban with the vast majority of its population living in the Greater Ballarat urban area, while other significant settlements within the LGA include Buninyong, Waubra, Learmonth and Addington. It was formed on 6 May 1994 from the amalgamation of the City of Ballarat, Shire of Ballarat, Borough of Sebastopol and parts of the Shire of Bungaree, Shire of Buninyong, Shire of Grenville and Shire of Ripon.
The City of Greater Bendigo is a local government area in Victoria, Australia, located in the central part of the state. It covers an area of 3,000 square kilometres (1,200 sq mi) and, in August 2021, had a population of 121,470. It includes the city of Bendigo and the towns of Axedale, Elmore, Heathcote, Marong, Raywood and Strathfieldsaye. It was formed in 1994 from the amalgamation of the former City of Bendigo with the Borough of Eaglehawk, Shire of Strathfieldsaye, Shire of Huntly and parts of the Rural City of Marong and Shire of McIvor. It is the state’s third largest economy base and is considered a service and infrastructure centre for north central Victoria. The city is surrounded by 40,000 hectares of regional, state and national parkland.
The City of Greater Shepparton is a local government area in the Hume region of Victoria, Australia, located in the north-east part of the state. It covers an area of 2,422 square kilometres (935 sq mi) and, in June 2018, had a population of 66,007. It includes the city of Shepparton and the towns of Arcadia, Ardmona, Congupna, Dookie, Grahamvale, Kialla, Lemnos, Merrigum, Mooroopna, Murchison, Tallygaroopna, Tatura, Toolamba and Undera. It was formed in 1994 from the amalgamation of the City of Shepparton, Shire of Shepparton, and parts of the Shire of Rodney, Shire of Euroa, Shire of Goulburn, Shire of Tungamah, Shire of Violet Town and Shire of Waranga.
The Rural City of Horsham is a local government area in Victoria, Australia, located in the western part of the state. It covers an area of 4,267 square kilometres (1,647 sq mi) and in June 2018, had a population of 19,875. It includes the towns of Brimpaen, Dadswells Bridge, Dooen, Haven, Horsham, Laharum, Natimuk, Noradjuha and Pimpinio. It was formed in 1995 by the amalgamation of the City of Horsham, most of the Shire of Wimmera and Shire of Arapiles, and part of the Shire of Kowree.
The Rural City of Swan Hill is a local government area in Victoria, Australia, located in the north-western part of the state. It covers an area of 6,115 square kilometres (2,361 sq mi) and, in August 2021, had a population of 21,403. It includes the towns of Swan Hill, Lake Boga, Manangatang, Nyah, Nyah West, Piangil, Robinvale, Ultima and Woorinen South. It was formed in 1995 from the amalgamation of the City of Swan Hill, Shire of Swan Hill and part of the Shire of Kerang.
The Rural City of Wangaratta is a local government area in the Hume region of Victoria, Australia, located in the north-east part of the state. It covers an area of 3,645 square kilometres (1,407 sq mi) and, in June 2018, had a population of 29,087. It includes the towns of Cheshunt, Eldorado, Everton, Glenrowan, Greta, Greta West, Milawa, Moyhu, Oxley, Tarrawingee, Wangaratta and Whitfield. It was formed in 1994 from the amalgamation of the City of Wangaratta, Shire of Wangaratta, Shire of Oxley, and parts of the United Shire of Beechworth, Shire of Benalla and Shire of Yarrawonga. When formed the municipality was originally called the Shire of Milawa, but a few months later, was renamed to its current name.
The City of Warrnambool is a local government area in the Barwon South West region of Victoria, Australia, located in the south-western part of the state. It covers an area of 121 square kilometres (47 sq mi) and in June 2018 had a population of 34,862. It is entirely surrounded by the Shire of Moyne and the Southern Ocean. It is one of only a few regional councils in Victoria to remain serving just one urban district after the amalgamation process of 1994, although through that process it did gained some portions of the former Shire of Warrnambool.
The Shire of Colac Otway is a local government area in the Barwon South West region of Victoria, Australia, located in the south-western part of the state. It covers an area of 3,438 square kilometres (1,327 sq mi) and in June 2018 had a population of 21,503. It includes the towns of Apollo Bay, Beeac, Beech Forest, Birregurra, Colac, Cressy, Forrest, Johanna, Kennett River, Lavers Hill, Warrion and Wye River. It came into existence on 23 September 1994 through the amalgamation of the local government areas of City of Colac, Shire of Colac, part of the Shire of Otway and part of the Shire of Heytesbury.
The Shire of Hindmarsh is a local government area in Victoria, Australia, located in the western part of the state. It covers an area of 7,527 square kilometres (2,906 sq mi) and in June 2018 had a population of 5,645, having fallen from 5,852 in June 2013.
The City of Latrobe is a local government area in the Gippsland region in eastern Victoria, Australia, located in the eastern part of the state. It covers an area of 1,426 square kilometres (551 sq mi) and in June 2018 had a population of 75,211. It is primarily urban with the vast majority of its population living within the four major urban areas of Moe, Morwell, Traralgon, and Churchill, and other significant settlements in the LGA include Boolarra, Callignee, Glengarry, Jeeralang, Newborough, Toongabbie, Tyers, Yallourn North and Yinnar. It was formed in 1994 from the amalgamation of the City of Moe, City of Morwell, City of Traralgon, Shire of Traralgon, and parts of the Shire of Narracan and Shire of Rosedale. The Yallourn Works Area was added in 1996. When formed, the municipality was called the Shire of La Trobe, but on 6 April 2000, it adopted its current name.
The Mitchell Shire is a local government area in the Hume region of Victoria, Australia, located North of Melbourne. It covers an area of 2,862 square kilometres (1,105 sq mi) and, in June 2018, had a population of 44,299. It includes the towns of Broadford, Kilmore, Seymour, Tallarook, Pyalong and Wallan. It was formed in 1994 from the amalgamation of the Shire of Pyalong, the Shire of Kilmore, most of the Shire of Broadford, and parts of the Shire of McIvor and Rural City of Seymour.
The Shire of West Wimmera is a local government area in the western part of the Wimmera region of Victoria, Australia, located in the western part of the state. It covers an area of 9,108 square kilometres (3,517 sq mi) and in June 2018 had a population of 3,862. It includes the towns of Apsley, Edenhope, Goroke, Gymbowen, Harrow, Kaniva, Minimay, Nurcoung and Serviceton. It was formed in 1995 from the amalgamation of the Shire of Kaniva and parts of the Shire of Kowree, Shire of Arapiles and Shire of Glenelg.
The Shire of Yarriambiack is a local government area of Victoria, Australia, located in the north-western part of the state. It covers an area of 7,326 square kilometres (2,829 sq mi) and, in June 2018, had a population of 6,658, having fallen from 7,438 in 2008. It includes the towns of Hopetoun, Murtoa, Rupanyup and Warracknabeal. It was formed in 1995 from the amalgamation of the Shire of Warracknabeal, Shire of Karkarooc, and parts of the Shire of Dunmunkle and Shire of Wimmera.
The Rural City of Benalla is a local government area in the Hume region of Victoria, Australia, located in the north-east part of the state. It covers an area of 2,353 square kilometres (908 sq mi) and, in June 2018, had a population of 14,024.
The Victoria Daly Regional Council is a local government area in the Northern Territory of Australia. The shire covers an area of 153,287 square kilometres (59,184 sq mi) and had a population of 3,138 in June 2018.
Local government in the Australian state of Victoria consists of 79 local government areas (LGAs). Also referred to as municipalities, Victorian LGAs are classified as cities (34), shires (38), rural cities (6) and boroughs (1). In general, an urban or suburban LGA is called a city and is governed by a City Council, while a rural LGA covering a larger rural area is usually called a shire and is governed by a Shire Council. Local councils have the same administrative functions and similar political structures, regardless of their classification.