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City of Darebin

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"Darebin" redirects here. For the railway station, see Darebin railway station.

The City of Darebin is a local government area in Victoria, Australia, in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. It has an area of 54 square kilometres (20.8 sq mi) and in June 2018 Darebin had a population of 161,609.[1] Municipal offices are located at 350 High Street, Preston.

City of Darebin
Victoria
Map of Melbourne showing City of Darebin
Population161,609 (2018)[1] (48th)
 • Density2,993/km2 (7,750/sq mi)
Established1994
Area54 km2 (20.8 sq mi)[1]
MayorSusanne Newton
Council seatPreston
RegionGreater Melbourne
State electorate(s)
Federal division(s)Cooper
WebsiteCity of Darebin
LGAs around City of Darebin:
Hume Whittlesea Banyule
Merri-bek City of Darebin Banyule
Yarra Yarra Boroondara

Darebin was rated 386th of 590 Australian Local Government Areas in the BankWest Quality of Life Index 2008.[2]

History

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The City of Darebin was formed in 1994 with the merger of most of the former Cities of Northcote and Preston, with the transfer of the portion of the City of Northcote of Heidelberg Road to the City of Yarra and minor adjustments with the former Cities of Coburg, Heidelberg and the Shire of Diamond Valley.

Council

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Current composition

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Coming into effect at the 2020 election, Darebin was divided into nine single-member wards, each elected through preferential voting. Prior to this, councillors were elected from three multi-member wards.

Party Councillors
  Labor 5
  Greens 3
  Independent 1
Total 9
Ward Party Councillor Notes
Central   Labor Kristine Olaris Mayor
North Central   Labor Vasilios Tsalkos
North East   Labor Matt Arturi
North West   Independent Gaetano Greco
South   Greens Julie O'Brien
South Central   Greens Ruth Jelley
South East   Labor Emily Dimitriadis Deputy Mayor
South West   Greens Alexandra Sangster
West   Labor Connie Boglis

Mayors

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Main article: List of mayors of Darebin

Past councillors

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2020−present

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Year Central North Central North East North West South South Central South East South West West
Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor
2020   Lina Messina
(Ind) 		  Julia Williams (Labor/Ind)   Tim Laurence (Labor/Ind)   Gaetano Greco
(Ind) 		  Tom Hannan
(Greens) 		  Susan Rennie
(Ind) 		  Emily Dimitriadis (Labor)   Trent McCarthy
(Greens) 		  Susanne Newton
(Greens)
2024    
2024   Kristine Olaris (Labor)   Vasilios Tsalkos (Labor)   Matt Arturi (Labor)   Julie O'Brien
(Greens) 		  Ruth Jelley
(Greens) 		  Alexandra Sangster
(Greens) 		  Connie Boglis (Labor)

Election results

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2024

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This section is an excerpt from Results of the 2024 Victorian local elections in Northern Melbourne § Darebin results.[edit]
2024 Victorian local elections: Darebin[3][4][5][6][7][8]
Party Votes % Swing Seats Change
  Independent 28,746 34.54 +5.49 1   2
  Labor 25,905 31.13 +8.89[a] 5   2
  Greens 19,418 23.33 −1.24 3  
  Victorian Socialists 9,634 11.58 +4.02 0  
Total 83,219 100.00 9  
Invalid/blank votes 3,093 3.58
Turnout 86,312 79.76
Registered voters 108,217

2020

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This section is an excerpt from Results of the 2020 Victorian local elections in Northern Melbourne § Darebin.[edit]

The Labor Party did not officially endorse candidates in Darebin.[10] However, ten party members contested as part of the "Labor Members for Darebin" group (including one who was later disendorsed) and a further four contested as Independent Labor candidates, without support from the group or an official party endorsement.[10][11]

2020 Victorian local elections: Darebin[12][13][14]
Party Votes % Seats Change
  Independent 26,794 29.05 3  
  Greens 22,661 24.57 3   1
  Darebin Labor 20,519 22.24 3   1
  Victorian Socialists 6,977 7.56 0  
  Independent Labor 4,939 5.35 0  
  Save The Planet 2,934 3.18 0  
  Reason 1,913 2.07 0  
  Independent Liberal 1,853 2.01 0  
  Liberal Democrats 899 0.97 0  

Townships and localities

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At the 2021 census, the city had a population of 148,570 up from 146,719 at the 2016 census.[15]

Population
Locality 2016 2021
Alphington^ 5,080 5,702
Bundoora^ 28,653 28,068
Fairfield^ 6,558 6,535
Kingsbury 3,780 3,460
Macleod^ 9,769 9,892
Northcote 24,561 25,276
Preston 32,851 33,790
Reservoir 50,474 51,096
Thornbury 18,568 19,005

^ - Territory divided with another LGA

Economy of Darebin

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Darebin railway station

The 2012 Business Register states that Darebin currently has 11,575 businesses operating within the region. These businesses create 55,278 jobs for locals and residents of Melbourne, and the Darebin area itself has 74,291 employed residents. Darebin had a Gross Regional Product of A$5.23 billion in 2012, a 0.3% increase on the previous year. Since 2001, approximately A$1 billion of extra GRP has been created in the region.[16] The biggest exports in Darebin are:

  • Manufacturing ($1,072 million)
  • Education & training ($313 million)
  • Wholesale trade ($243 million)

Since 2006, gentrification in the Darebin area has seen average incomes and property values increase significantly in the region, particularly in the suburbs of Northcote, Fairfield, Alphington and Thornbury. As a result, there has been a dramatic change in the economy of Darebin and the types of businesses that operate. For example, since 2006, there has been increases in the total exports of the following industry sectors:[16]

  • Accommodation & food services – 49% increase ($39 million to $88.8 million)
  • Wholesale trade – 39.4% increase ($203 million to $243 million)

Darebin also experienced growth thanks to the mining boom, with a 57% increase in mining-relating exports from 2006 to 2012, despite there being no mines in the municipality.

Of the 11,575 registered businesses in Darebin, the most common industry sectors are:

  • Construction – 1,992 registered businesses (17.2%)
  • Professional, scientific & technical services – 1,442 registered businesses (12.3%)
  • Rental, hiring & real estate services – 1,167 registered businesses (10.1%)
  • Transport, postal & warehousing – 1,031 registered businesses (8.9%)

Demographics of Darebin

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As of 2012, Darebin has 144,086 residents living in its boundaries which include 5,344 hectares or 53 km2. This gives the area of Darebin a population density of 26.96 persons per hectare. Darebin residents have a median age of 36 and earn on average $1,178 per week. According to the 2011 Australian Bureau of Statistics census, in Darebin:[17]

  • 28% of households are couples with children. (4% lower than Victorian average)
  • 34% live in Medium/High density housing (11% higher than Victorian average)
  • 34% of residents rent their property (8% higher than Victorian average)
  • 28% have a bachelor's degree or Higher (7% higher than Victorian average)
  • 21% travel on Public Transport to work (10% higher than Victorian average)
  • 29% from Non-English speaking backgrounds (9% higher than Victorian average)

The most common occupations in Darebin are:

  • Professionals (28.7%)
  • Clerical & Administrative Workers (14.7%)
  • Technicians & Trade Workers (12.0%)

With gentrification, more educated and affluent residents are moving to the Darebin area, particularly in the suburbs of Northcote and Fairfield. This has seen a marked change in the occupations of residents in Darebin since 2006. There has been a decline in the number of residents employed in manual labour sectors and an increase in the number of residents employed in managerial, professional and community service sectors. This is also related to the number of residents living in Darebin with tertiary education, with a 6% increase in residents with degrees in the last 7 years.[18] Furthermore, the largest increase in residents in Darebin came from those earning in the top 25%, with a 3.4% increase in these households since 2006.

Darebin has a diverse multicultural population, with 33.7% of residents being born overseas. The most common countries of birth are:[19]

  • Italy (5.3%)
  • Greece (3.7%)
  • India (3.3%)
  • China (3.2%)

26% of Darebin residents also arrived in Australia within the last 5 years.

Darebin as a region is home to many environmentalists, and this, along with Darebin's proximity to the Melbourne CBD, is reflected in the transportation methods used by Darebin residents compared to Melbourne as a whole. Most residents still drive to work, with 50.1% of residents driving alone to work, however this is 10% lower than the Greater Melbourne average. Furthermore, 14.2% of Darebin residents travel to work by bus, compared to 11.9% in the rest of Melbourne. Darebin residents also walk to work, cycle to work or catch other modes of public transport more often than the rest of Melbourne. Since 2006, the largest single increase in transportation use has been in train travel, with 2,423 more residents catching the train, compared to 2,416 new vehicle drivers. This is the largest increase in Victoria.[20]

Arts and entertainment

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Darebin City has an active artist community which is contemporary, experimental and culturally diverse. Writers, musicians and visual artists flock to the locality for performance, collaboration and acceptance. Notable contributors to the Darebin arts community are locals, Rose Turtle Ertler, Sundown and/or Last Stand, The Contrast, The Melbourne Ukulele Kollective, DIY art shows and house gigs collective, Loveanarchistpress Publishing, Performing Older Women's Circus (POW Circus) and TRAX Arts.

Darebin celebrates the artistry and diversity of the community with regular festivals and events such as the Darebin Music Feast and the High Vibes festival. The city also funds community music, such as the Preston Symphony Orchestra and public artwork, such as the Fairfield Industrial Dog Object.[21]

The Preston Market is a central feature of Darebin and attracts people from all around the area.

 
City of Darebin automated waste collection truck (2009)

Controversies

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Australia Day

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In August 2017 the City of Darebin followed the City of Yarra Council in deciding not to celebrate Australia Day events. This was criticised by conservative commentators,[22][23] with the Federal government subsequently removing the council's powers to hold citizenship ceremonies.[24]

Same-sex marriage

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In the lead-up to the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey the council announced it will allow pro same-sex marriage campaigners to use its facilities and services (for free) and deny this access to those of an alternate view. This was criticised by conservative commentators but welcomed by community members.[25]

The council subsequently reversed its plans to oppose those campaigning for the 'no' vote.[26]

Men banned from applying for a council position

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In September 2021, it was widely reported in the Australian media that the Darebin City Council had banned men from applying for a new position despite being an "equal opportunity employer".[27][28]

2022 state election

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During the 2022 Victorian state election Labor took what they described as a 'Greens-dominated' Darebin council to court for removing Labor's billboards in the state seat of Northcote.[29][30] Labor was able to obtain a court order that the council not interfere with Labor's campaign material.[31]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Compared to the Labor Members for Darebin result at the 2020 election.[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "3218.0 – Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2017-18: Population Estimates by Local Government Area (ASGS 2018), 2017 to 2018". Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 27 March 2019. Archived from the original on 21 February 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2019. Estimated resident population, 30 June 2018.
  2. ^ "BankWest Quality of Life Index 2008" (PDF). BankWest. 20 August 2008. p. 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 February 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2008.
  3. ^ Kapetopoulos, Fotis (18 July 2024). "Labor rallies in Darebin: Candidates focus on core issues ahead of October election". Neos Kosmos. Archived from the original on 18 July 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  4. ^ "Our Candidates". darebinlabor.org. Victorian Labor Party. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  5. ^ "Darebin". Victorian Greens. Archived from the original on 18 September 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  6. ^ "Darebin". Victorian Socialists. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  7. ^ "Darebin City Council election candidates". www.vec.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  8. ^ Victorian Electoral Commission. "Darebin City Council results". www.vec.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  9. ^ "Darebin City Council election results 2020". Victorian Electoral Commission. 9 November 2020. Archived from the original on 25 October 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  10. ^ a b Booker, Chloe (8 October 2020). "Labor distances itself from 'Islamophobic' Darebin council candidate". The Age. Archived from the original on 12 August 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  11. ^ "This is the list of Labor Member candidates running in your area". Facebook. Darebin Labor. 25 August 2020. Archived from the original on 3 November 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  12. ^ "Darebin City Council election results 2020". Victorian Electoral Commission.
  13. ^ "The Liberal Democrats have a strong team of candidates standing for local councils around the state this year". Facebook. Tim Quilty - Libertarian - Northern Victoria. 1 October 2020. Archived from the original on 18 September 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  14. ^ "Darebin Council 2020". Vote Adrian.
  15. ^ "Census | Australian Bureau of Statistics". www.abs.gov.au. 11 January 2023. Archived from the original on 23 May 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  16. ^ a b "Economic profile - City of Darebin - economy.id". economy.id.com.au. Archived from the original on 26 August 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  17. ^ "2011 Census QuickStats: Darebin (C)". www.censusdata.abs.gov.au. Archived from the original on 22 August 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  18. ^ "Educational qualifications - City of Darebin - profile.id". profile.id.com.au. Archived from the original on 22 August 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  19. ^ "Ancestry - City of Darebin - profile.id". profile.id.com.au. Archived from the original on 22 August 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  20. ^ "Method of travel to work - City of Darebin - profile.id". profile.id.com.au. Archived from the original on 22 August 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  21. ^ "Inner-city haven – Property – Domain". The Age. www.theage.com.au. 24 June 2006. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2008.
  22. ^ Clure, Elias (21 August 2017). "Melbourne's City of Darebin council decides to dump Australia Day ceremonies". ABC News. Archived from the original on 21 August 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  23. ^ Wahlquist, Calla (22 August 2017). "Second Melbourne council votes to cancel Australia Day ceremony and celebrations". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 22 August 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  24. ^ "Darebin council stripped of citizenship ceremony after controversial Australia Day vote". ABC News. 22 August 2017. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  25. ^ "Darebin Council to pass motion to offer resources to marriage equality campaign". Herald Sun. 16 August 2017. Archived from the original on 16 September 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  26. ^ Gardiner, Ed (22 August 2017). "Darebin Council backs down on plans to oppose 'no' side in same-sex marriage debate". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 24 August 2017. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  27. ^ Homrigh, Mitchell Van (6 September 2021). "Men banned from applying for council job". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 9 September 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  28. ^ "Melbourne's Darebin council BANS MEN from applying for street sweeper job in bid to recruit 'women, non-binary and gender non-conforming people' | 7NEWS". 7 September 2021. Archived from the original on 9 September 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  29. ^ "Council removal of Labor billboards in Northcote sparks Supreme Court action". ABC News. 22 November 2022. Archived from the original on 23 November 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  30. ^ "Labor takes Melbourne council to court over removal of Victoria election campaign billboards". the Guardian. 21 November 2022. Archived from the original on 23 November 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  31. ^ Estcourt, David; Eddie, Rachel (23 November 2022). "Court orders Darebin council to stop removing Labor MP's billboards in Northcote". The Age. Archived from the original on 7 September 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
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37°44′S 145°01′E / 37.733°S 145.017°E / -37.733; 145.017

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