Council 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 and can be accessed through the online library catalogue here
For any assistance using this collection please email: history@innerwest.nsw.gov.au
Locations and opening hours
Ashfield Library
3rd Floor, 260 Liverpool Road
Ashfield NSW 2131
To make an appointment please call 02 9392 5810 or email: history@innerwest.nsw.gov.au
Monday 10am-1pm
Tuesday 10am-1pm
Historical records
The Council Archives hold surviving historical records of the following Councils:
Ashfield 1871 – 2016
Marrickville 1861 - 2016
Petersham 1872 - 1948*
St Peters 1871 - 1948*
*Petersham and St Peters Councils amalgamated with Marrickville Council in 1949.
Rate and valuation books
The rate and valuation books contain basic information about properties. Information includes the property owner’s name, property description including type of building, property assessed value. The rate and valuation books may also record the occupant’s name and the property name.
The Archives holds rate and valuation books from the following former councils: Some records have been digitised and are available at library branches.
Annandale Council 1894 - 1920*
Ashfield Council 1872 – 1984
Balmain 1908-1920
Camperdown Council 1885 - 1908*
Leichhardt 1872-1920*
Marrickville Council 1886 – 1984*
Newtown Council 1866 - 1949*
Petersham Council 1872 - 1948*
St Peters Council 1884 – 1947*
*Digitised records dating up to 1925 are available at Marrickville Library and available at Leichhardt Library.
Council meeting minutes
Minutes record Council activities and decisions. Find former Council meeting minutes for the following:
Ashfield Council 1872 – 2016
Marrickville Council 1905 - 2016
Petersham Council 1872 - 1948
St Peters Council 1871 - 1948
Council minutes from 2005 onwards are available online here
Building and subdivision registers
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.
Ashfield Council 1909 - 1980
Marrickville Council 1922 - 1957*
Petersham Council 1911 - 1949*
St Peters Council 1919 – 1948*
*Digitised records are available at Marrickville Library
Correspondence Files
Files contain correspondence to and from the Council, local residents, property owners, ratepayers, businesses and government departments.
Ashfield Council 1908 - 1950
Marrickville Council 1918 - 1971
Petersham Council 1940 - 1948
St Peters Council 1920 - 1949
Digitised records are available at Marrickville Library
Click here for a complete list of archives holdings of the former Marrickville Petersham and St Peters Councils.