The City of Cranbourne was a Local Government Area located about 45 kilometres (28 mi) southeast of Melbourne

Melbourne

Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...

, the state capital of Victoria

Victoria (Australia)

Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....

, Australia. The City covered an area of 755 square kilometres (291.5 sq mi), and existed from 1860 until 1994. It was notable for being the last local government area to be declared a City prior to the large-scale amalgamations of 1994—its former designation was the Shire of Cranbourne.

History

The Cranbourne Roads District was first incorporated on 19 June 1860 and became a Shire on 6 March 1868. On 27 January 1893, it annexed part of the Shire of Buln Buln

Shire of Buln Buln

The Shire of Buln Buln was a Local Government Area located about east-southeast of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed from 1878 until 1994.-History:...

 around the areas of Koo Wee Rup

Koo Wee Rup, Victoria

Koo Wee Rup is a town in Victoria, Australia, 63 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Cardinia...

 and Lang Lang

Lang Lang, Victoria

Lang Lang is a town in Victoria, Australia, 73 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Cardinia...

, while on 6 May 1919 it lost some of its territory to the Shire of Frankston and Hastings. From the 1950s onwards, industrial development started to spread southwards from Dandenong

Dandenong, Victoria

Dandenong is a suburb and major urban centre in metropolitan Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 30 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Situated on Dandenong Creek and mostly flat land at the foothills of Mount Dandenong, it is the main administrative centre for the City of...

 and by the 1980s Cranbourne was part of Melbourne's southeastern growth corridor and had essentially become a dormitory suburb of Dandenong and Melbourne. However, eastern parts of the Shire were still rural in character, with dairying, market gardening

Market gardening

A market garden is the relatively small-scale production of fruits, vegetables and flowers as cash crops, frequently sold directly to consumers and restaurants. It is distinguishable from other types of farming by the diversity of crops grown on a small area of land, typically, from under one acre ...

, potato growing and animal breeding being primary pursuits.

On 22 April 1994, Cranbourne was proclaimed a city by the Governor of Victoria, Richard McGarvie

Richard McGarvie

Richard Elgin McGarvie, AC, KStJ, QC was a judge in the Supreme Court of Victoria and Governor of Victoria from 1992 to 1997.-Early life:...

. However, less than eight months later on 15 December 1994, the City was abolished and split into six portions of varying sizes. The largest sections were given to the City of Casey

City of Casey

The City of Casey is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia, located in the outer south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Casey is Victoria's most populous municipality, with a 2006 census population of 214,960. The municipality's population growth rate during both 1996-2001 and 2001-2006 was...

 which received Cranbourne

Cranbourne, Victoria

Cranbourne is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 43 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Casey. At the 2006 Census, Cranbourne had a population of 14,750....

, Hampton Park

Hampton Park, Victoria

Hampton Park is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 36 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district, home to the famous photographer, Patricia Casten. Jonathan Helmy also lives here. Its Local Government Area is the City of Casey...

, and the rural/semi-rural areas of Devon Meadows

Devon Meadows, Victoria

Devon Meadows is a town in Victoria, Australia, 50 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Casey...

, Clyde

Clyde, Victoria

Clyde is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 48 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Casey. At the 2006 Census, Clyde had a population of 1,224.-History:...

 and coastal villages including Tooradin

Tooradin, Victoria

Tooradin is a town in Victoria, Australia, 57 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Casey. At the 2006 Census, Tooradin had a population of 1183.-Today:...

. The City of Frankston

City of Frankston

The City of Frankston is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia, located in the southern suburbs of Melbourne. It has an area of 131 square kilometres and has a estimated population of 128,576 people....

 received Langwarrin

Langwarrin, Victoria

Langwarrin is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 43 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Frankston...

, Carrum Downs

Carrum Downs, Victoria

Carrum Downs is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 34 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Frankston. At the 2006 Census, Carrum Downs had a population of 17,213....

 and Skye

Skye, Victoria

Skye is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 38 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Frankston. At the 2006 Census, Skye had a population of 6898.-History:...

, and other smaller transfers included:

• Dandenong South
  Dandenong South, Victoria
  Dandenong South is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 31 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Greater Dandenong. At the 2006 Census, Dandenong South had a population of 4867....
  
   and parts of Lyndhurst
  Lyndhurst, Victoria
  Lyndhurst is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 35 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is both the City of Casey and the city of Greater Dandenong....
  
   to the City of Greater Dandenong
  City of Greater Dandenong
  The City of Greater Dandenong is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia located in the southeastern suburbs of Melbourne. It has an area of 130 square kilometres and has a estimated population of 137,600 people....
  
  ;
• Koo Wee Rup
  Koo Wee Rup, Victoria
  Koo Wee Rup is a town in Victoria, Australia, 63 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Cardinia...
  
   and Lang Lang
  Lang Lang, Victoria
  Lang Lang is a town in Victoria, Australia, 73 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Cardinia...
  
   to the Shire of Cardinia
  Shire of Cardinia
  Cardinia Shire is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia, located south-east of Melbourne between the Western Port bay and the Yarra Ranges on the outskirts of Melbourne...
  
   and Bass Coast Shire
  Bass Coast Shire
  Bass Coast Shire is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia. It is located in the south-eastern part of the state, less than 90 minutes from Melbourne, and includes the popular tourist destination, Phillip Island...
  
  ;
• A small part of Pearcedale
  Pearcedale, Victoria
  Pearcedale is a town in Victoria, Australia, 50 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Casey. At the 2006 Census, Pearcedale had a population of 3721.-History:...
  
   to the Shire of Mornington Peninsula
  Shire of Mornington Peninsula
  The Shire of Mornington Peninsula is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia. It is located to the south of the city of Melbourne on the Mornington Peninsula. It has an area of 723 square kilometres...
  
  .

An article in The Age

The Age

The Age is a daily broadsheet newspaper, which has been published in Melbourne, Australia since 1854. Owned and published by Fairfax Media, The Age primarily serves Victoria, but is also available for purchase in Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and border regions of South Australia and...

in July 1994 reported that Cranbourne was "losing the fight to remain separate". During the submission process, the council had wanted to remain as is with no merger or loss of territory, as it was fast-growing and needed its entire rate base. In its final year of existence, Cranbourne was one of the five fastest growing municipalities in Australia, in marked contrast to most of the rest of the state.

Council met at Shire Offices in Sladen Street, Cranbourne, which were a purpose-built facility opened in 1978. The building was sold by Casey City Council in 1995 and is now used as a health care facility, known as the 'Cranbourne Integrated Care Centre'. Prior to 1978, the Shire of Cranbourne met at the 'Old Shire Offices', which is next to the buildings built in 1978. This building is now used as a venue for council meetings by the City of Casey, as well as hosting many historical artefacts of the former shire.

Wards

The shire was divided into four ridings, each of which elected three councillors. On becoming a city, the ridings became wards.

• North Riding
• East Riding
• Centre Riding
• West Riding

Suburbs and localities

Outer Metropolitan:

• Baxter
  Baxter, Victoria
  Baxter is a township and rural locality in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, beyond the urban area. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Mornington Peninsula...
  
   (split with City of Frankston
  City of Frankston
  The City of Frankston is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia, located in the southern suburbs of Melbourne. It has an area of 131 square kilometres and has a estimated population of 128,576 people....
  
   and Shire of Hastings
  Shire of Hastings
  The Shire of Hastings was a Local Government Area located on the eastern Mornington Peninsula about south-southeast of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed from 1960 until 1994.-History:...
  
  )
• Carrum Downs
  Carrum Downs, Victoria
  Carrum Downs is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 34 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Frankston. At the 2006 Census, Carrum Downs had a population of 17,213....
  
   (split with City of Springvale
  City of Springvale
  The City of Springvale was a Local Government Area located about southeast of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The city covered an area of , and existed from 1857 until 1994.-History:...
  
  )
• Clyde
  Clyde, Victoria
  Clyde is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 48 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Casey. At the 2006 Census, Clyde had a population of 1,224.-History:...
  
  
• Clyde North
  Clyde North, Victoria
  Clyde North is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 46 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Casey....
  
  
• Cranbourne
  Cranbourne, Victoria
  Cranbourne is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 43 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Casey. At the 2006 Census, Cranbourne had a population of 14,750....
  
  
• Cranbourne East
  Cranbourne East, Victoria
  Cranbourne East is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 44 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Casey. At the 2006 Census, Cranbourne East had a population of 3600.-Facilities:...
  
  *
• Cranbourne North
  Cranbourne North, Victoria
  Cranbourne North is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 40 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Casey. At the 2006 Census, Cranbourne North had a population of 9708....
  
  
• Cranbourne South
  Cranbourne South, Victoria
  Cranbourne South is a rural locality in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 45 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district adjacent to the Melbourne urban area. Its Local Government Area is the City of Casey...
  
  
• Cranbourne West
  Cranbourne West, Victoria
  Cranbourne West is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 41 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Casey...
  
  *
• Dandenong South
  Dandenong South, Victoria
  Dandenong South is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 31 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Greater Dandenong. At the 2006 Census, Dandenong South had a population of 4867....
  
   (split with City of Dandenong
  City of Dandenong
  The City of Dandenong was a Local Government Area located about southeast of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The city covered an area of , and existed from 1857 until 1994.-History:...
  
  )
• Devon Meadows
  Devon Meadows, Victoria
  Devon Meadows is a town in Victoria, Australia, 50 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Casey...
  
  
• Hampton Park
  Hampton Park, Victoria
  Hampton Park is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 36 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district, home to the famous photographer, Patricia Casten. Jonathan Helmy also lives here. Its Local Government Area is the City of Casey...
  
  
• Junction Village
  Junction Village, Victoria
  Junction Village is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 46 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Casey. At the 2006 Census, Junction Village had a population of 1002.-References:...
  
  
• Langwarrin
  Langwarrin, Victoria
  Langwarrin is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 43 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Frankston...
  
  
• Lynbrook
  Lynbrook, Victoria
  Lynbrook is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 36 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Casey. At the 2009 Census, Lynbrook had a population of 6490....
  
  *
• Lyndhurst
  Lyndhurst, Victoria
  Lyndhurst is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 35 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is both the City of Casey and the city of Greater Dandenong....
  
  
• Skye
  Skye, Victoria
  Skye is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 38 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Frankston. At the 2006 Census, Skye had a population of 6898.-History:...
  
  

Rural:

• Bayles
  Bayles, Victoria
  Bayles is a bounded rural locality in Victoria, Australia, to the east of the town of Koo Wee Rup on the Koo Wee Rup-Longwarry Road. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Cardinia.-References:...
  
  
• Blind Bight
  Blind Bight, Victoria
  Blind Bight is a town in Victoria, Australia, 56 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district on the large bay of Western Port. Its Local Government Area is the City of Casey. At the 2006 Census, Blind Bight had a population of 1281....
  
  
• Caldermeade
• Cannons Creek
  Cannons Creek, Victoria
  Cannons Creek is a town in Victoria, Australia, 54 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Casey. At the 2006 Census, Cannons Creek had a population of 502....
  
  
• Cardinia
  Cardinia, Victoria
  Cardinia is a town in Victoria, Australia, 52 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Cardinia.Cardinia is located between Pakenham and Tooradin on the south-eastern fringe of Melbourne....
  
  
• Catani
  Catani, Victoria
  Catani is a bounded rural locality in Victoria, Australia. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Cardinia. At the 2006 Census, Catani and the surrounding rural area had a population of 519.-History:...
  
  
• Dalmore
  Dalmore, Victoria
  Dalmore is a bounded rural locality in Victoria, Australia. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Cardinia.-History:The Post Office opened on 17 March 1913 and closed in 1977. A Dalmore East office was open from 1920 until 1946...
  
  
• Heath Hill
• Koo Wee Rup
  Koo Wee Rup, Victoria
  Koo Wee Rup is a town in Victoria, Australia, 63 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Cardinia...
  
  
• Lang Lang
  Lang Lang, Victoria
  Lang Lang is a town in Victoria, Australia, 73 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Cardinia...
  
  
• Monomeith
• Pearcedale
  Pearcedale, Victoria
  Pearcedale is a town in Victoria, Australia, 50 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Casey. At the 2006 Census, Pearcedale had a population of 3721.-History:...
  
  
• Tooradin
  Tooradin, Victoria
  Tooradin is a town in Victoria, Australia, 57 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Casey. At the 2006 Census, Tooradin had a population of 1183.-Today:...
  
  
• Warneet
  Warneet, Victoria
  Warneet is a town in Victoria, Australia, south-east from Melbourne's central business district at the head of the large bay of Western Port. Its Local Government Area is the City of Casey...
  
  
• Yannathan

Population

Year	Population
1954	8,201
1958	9,160*
1961	10,908
1966	13,089
1971	16,266
1976	24,968
1981	34,821
1986	47,619
1991	70,821
1992	78,100

* Estimate in the 1958 Victorian Year Book.