Borough of Koroit
| Borough of Koroit Victoria | |
|---|---|
 Location in Victoria | |
| Population | 1,500 (1986)[1] |
| • Density | 65.0/km2 (168/sq mi) |
| Established | 1870 |
| Area | 23.07 km2 (8.9 sq mi) |
| Council seat | Koroit |
| Region | Barwon South West |
| County | Villiers |
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The Borough of Koroit was a local government area about 18 kilometres (11 mi) northwest of Warrnambool in western Victoria, Australia. The borough covered an area of 23.07 square kilometres (8.9 sq mi) immediately to the north of the Tower Hill State Game Reserve, and existed from 1870 until 1985.
History
It was first incorporated on 7 October 1870.[2] Its boundaries remained unchanged throughout its existence.[3]
Merger with Shire of Warrnambool
Unlike other boroughs in Victoria, the Borough of Koroit was centred on a relatively small settlement. Numerous proposals were made for its amalgamation with either the Shire of Belfast to the west or the Shire of Warrnambool to the east.
By the 1980s, the Borough was in a difficult financial situation, with a declining and aging population and a limited rate base. The Borough's workforce struggled to serve the council and community – the Borough's town clerk, engineer and clerical staff all worked part-time, and the Council depot relied on equipment borrowed from the Shire of Warrnambool to supplement its own.[3]
In October 1983 a poll of ratepayers took place, with results as follows:[3]
| Option | Votes |
|---|---|
| Remain as a separate Borough | 184 |
| Amalgamate with Shire of Belfast | 41 |
| Amalgamate with Shire of Warrnambool | 534 |
| Total formal votes | 759 |
At a 1984 public hearing, the councils of both Koroit and the Shire of Warrnambool expressed their support for amalgamation, on the condition that Koroit be admitted to the Shire as a separate riding. The hearing panel commented that the "calm, rational attitude to the proposal, as exhibited by both municipalities, was rather unique", although the Shire warned that they "would not like this unification to be seen as a catalyst for further amalgamation of municipalities in the area".[3]
On 1 June 1985, the borough was united with the Shire of Warrnambool as the Koroit Riding.[2] This was Victoria's first municipal amalgamation since 1966,[3] and it was to be the last before the large-scale reforms of the mid-1990s.
Population
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1954 | 1,401 |
| 1958 | 1,430* |
| 1961 | 1,466 |
| 1966 | 1,416 |
| 1971 | 1,429 |
| 1976 | 1,408 |
| 1981 | 1,469 |
| 1986 | 1,500* |
* Estimates in 1958 and 1988 Victorian Year Books.
References
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics, Victoria Office (1988). Victorian Year Book. p. 19. ISSN 0067-1223.
- ^ a b Victorian Municipal Directory. Brunswick: Arnall & Jackson. 1992. pp. 886–888. Accessed at State Library of Victoria, La Trobe Reading Room.
- ^ a b c d e Local Government Commission (1984). Unification of the Borough of Koroit and Shire of Warrnambool – via Public Record Office Victoria: https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/10133352-F8BA-11E9-AE98-7B06C5AA2620.
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