View the archives
The archives hold historical records of former councils that are now the Inner West Council.
The archives contains original records created or received by Council as part of its normal business activities including building and property records, rate books and valuation books.
This collection has largely been digitised and continues to be digitised.
Types of records kept in Council archives
The registers contain brief information about the date applications were submitted to Council for approval, the decision made by Council, name of the owner, name of the builder and type of building work. Some of the holdings have been digitised and are available on the library catalogue.
Ashfield Council 1909 - 1980
Marrickville Council 1922 - 1957
Petersham Council 1911 - 1949
St Peters Council 1919 – 1948
Files contain correspondence to and from the Council, local residents, property owners, ratepayers, businesses and government departments.
The Correspondence Files are restricted access. If you have an enquiry, please email: history@innerwest.nsw.gov.au
- Ashfield Council 1908 - 1950
- Marrickville Council 1918 - 1971
- Petersham Council 1940 - 1948
- St Peters Council 1920 - 1949
Minutes record Council activities and decisions. Council meeting minutes for the following are currently being catalogued:
- Ashfield Council 1872 – 2016
- Marrickville Council 1905 - 2016
- Petersham Council 1872 - 1948
- St Peters Council 1871 - 1948
The rate and valuation books contain basic information about properties. Generally, information recorded includes names of property owners and occupiers, property name, subdivision, property description, improved and unimproved capital property value.
A number of rate books have been digitised and can be accessed at online here. Information recorded in rate and valuation books varies between Councils over time.
The Archives holds rate and valuation books from the following former councils.
- Annandale Council 1894 - 1920, 1928 Valuation List books.
- Ashfield Council 1872 – 1949
- Balmain 1908-1920, 1933 Valuation List books.
- Camperdown Council 1885 - 1908
- Leichhardt 1872-1920, 1928 and 1951 Valuation List books.
- Marrickville Council 1886 – 1963
Heritage studies, ward maps, waterboard plans, subdivision plans, council objects, images and local history ebooks.