The City of Kew was a local government area about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) east of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia, on the southeast bank of the Yarra River. The city covered an area of 14.56 square kilometres (5.62 sq mi), and existed from 1860 until 1994.
| City of Kew Victoria | |||||||||||||||
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 Location in Melbourne | |||||||||||||||
| Population | 28,900 (1992)[1] | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 1,985/km2 (5,141/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Established | 1860 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 14.56 km2 (5.6 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Council seat | Kew | ||||||||||||||
| Region | Eastern Melbourne | ||||||||||||||
| County | Bourke | ||||||||||||||
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History
Kew was first incorporated as a municipal district on 19 December 1860, a borough in October 1863, and a town on 8 December 1910. It was proclaimed a city on 10 March 1921.[2]
On 22 June 1994, the City of Kew was abolished, and along with the Cities of Camberwell and Hawthorn, was merged into the newly created City of Boroondara.[3] The new City was originally planned to be named "City of Riversdale".[4]
The council formerly met at the Kew Town Hall, at Cotham Road and Charles Street, Kew.
Wards
The City of Kew was divided into four wards on 27 August 1955, each electing three councillors:
- Prospect Ward
- Sackville Ward
- Studley Park Ward
- Willsmere Ward
Geography
The council area covered the suburbs of Kew and Kew East, and was bounded by the Yarra River to the north and west, Barkers Road to the south and Burke Road to the east.[5]
Population
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1861 | 1,439 |
| 1891 | 8,462 |
| 1921 | 17,382 |
| 1947 | 30,859 |
| 1954 | 31,518 |
| 1958 | 32,700* |
| 1961 | 33,341 |
| 1966 | 32,801 |
| 1971 | 32,564 |
| 1976 | 29,683 |
| 1981 | 28,870 |
| 1986 | 28,162 |
| 1991 | 27,291 |
* Estimate in the 1958 Victorian Year Book.