Editing Sutherland Shire

{{Other uses|Sutherland (disambiguation)}}
{{about|the local government area|the suburb|Sutherland, New South Wales}}
{{Use Australian English|date=September 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox Australian place 
| type     = lga
| name     = Sutherland Shire
| state    = nsw
| image    = Sutherland lga sydney.png
| caption  = Location in [[Sydney|Metropolitan Sydney]]
| pop      = 218464
| pop_year = {{CensusAU|2016}}
| pop_footnotes = <ref name="Census2016">{{Census 2016 AUS|id=LGA17150 |name=Sutherland Shire (A) |access-date=5 July 2017 |quick=on}}</ref>
| pop2               = 229213
| pop2_year          = 2018 est.
| pop2_footnotes     = <ref name=ABS3218.0>{{cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/3218.02017-18|title=3218.0 – Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2017–18|publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics|date=27 March 2019|access-date=27 March 2019}} Estimated resident population (ERP) at 30 June 2018.</ref>
| poprank  = 13th
| density  = 
| coordinates = {{Coord|34|02|S|151|03|E|display=inline,title|scale:150000}}
| area     = 370
| est      = 6 March 1906
| seat     = Council Chambers [[Sutherland, New South Wales|Sutherland]]
| mayor    = Jack Boyd
| region   = [[Sydney|Metropolitan Sydney]]<br />
| logo     = Logo of Sutherland Shire Council.svg
| url      = http://www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au
| stategov = [[Electoral district of Cronulla|Cronulla]]
| stategov2= [[Electoral district of Heathcote|Heathcote]]
| stategov3=  [[Electoral district of Miranda|Miranda]]
| fedgov   = [[Division of Cook|Cook]]
| fedgov2  = [[Division of Hughes|Hughes]]
| near-n   = [[Georges River Council|Georges River]]
| near-ne  = [[Bayside Council|Bayside]] 
| near-e   =''[[Tasman Sea]]''
| near-se  = ''[[Tasman Sea]]''
| near-nw  = [[City of Canterbury-Bankstown|Canterbury-Bankstown]]
}}

'''Sutherland Shire''' is a [[Local government in Australia|local government area]] (LGA) in the [[Southern Sydney|southern]] region of [[Sydney]], in the state of [[New South Wales]], [[Australia]]. Sutherland Shire is located approximately {{Convert|26|km|mi}} south-southwest of the [[Sydney central business district|Sydney CBD]], and comprises an area of {{convert|370|km2}}. As at the [[2021 Australian census|2021 census]], Sutherland Shire has an estimated population of 230,211.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=2021 Sutherland Shire, Census All persons QuickStats {{!}} Australian Bureau of Statistics |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/LGA17150 |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=www.abs.gov.au}}</ref> The area is colloquially known as '''"The Shire"''', and has featured in several reality television series.

Geographically, it is the area directly to the south of [[Botany Bay]] and the [[Georges River]]. Sutherland Shire is {{convert|26|km}} south-southwest of the [[Sydney central business district|Sydney city centre]], and is bordered by [[Bayside Council]], [[City of Canterbury-Bankstown]], [[City of Wollongong]], and the [[Georges River Council]] local government areas.

The administrative centre of Sutherland Shire is located in the suburb of [[Sutherland, New South Wales|Sutherland]], with the council chambers located on Eton Street. As of 10 October 2024, the [[mayor]] of the Sutherland Shire is [[Alderman|Cr.]] Jack Boyd, a [[New South Wales Labor Party|Labor Party]] member.<ref name="mayor">[https://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Council/About-Council/Councillors-Wards-and-Elections/Sutherland-Shire-Councillors Sutherland Shire Councillors] Sutherland Shire Council</ref>

Sutherland Shire contains what was the [[European maritime exploration of Australia#18th century|first landing site]] of Lieutenant [[James Cook]], who went ashore onto what is now the suburb of [[Kurnell, New South Wales|Kurnell]] on 29 April 1770. It was originally intended to be the location of the first [[History of Australia (1788–1850)|British Settlement]], before [[Sydney Cove]] was chosen instead by [[Arthur Phillip]] of the [[First Fleet]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au/ssc/home.nsf/Web+Pages/968960D9346BADD3CA256D56001BAC2A?OpenDocument |access-date=15 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091011193947/http://www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au/ssc/home.nsf/Web+Pages/968960D9346BADD3CA256D56001BAC2A?OpenDocument |archive-date=11 October 2009 |title=Birthplace of modern Australia}}</ref>

== Suburbs and localities in the local government area ==
<!-- If removing entries from/adding to this list, also remove from/add to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Sydney_Sutherland_suburbs -->
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Suburbs in Sutherland Shire are:
{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|
* [[Alfords Point, New South Wales|Alfords Point]]
* [[Bangor, New South Wales|Bangor]]
* [[Barden Ridge, New South Wales|Barden Ridge]]
* [[Bonnet Bay, New South Wales|Bonnet Bay]]
* [[Bundeena, New South Wales|Bundeena]]
* [[Burraneer, New South Wales|Burraneer]]
* [[Caringbah, New South Wales|Caringbah]]
* [[Caringbah South, New South Wales|Caringbah South]]
* [[Como, New South Wales|Como]]
* [[Cronulla, New South Wales|Cronulla]]
* [[Dolans Bay, New South Wales|Dolans Bay]]
* [[Engadine, New South Wales|Engadine]]
* [[Grays Point, New South Wales|Grays Point]]
* [[Greenhills Beach, New South Wales|Greenhills Beach]]
* [[Gymea, New South Wales|Gymea]]
* [[Gymea Bay, New South Wales|Gymea Bay]]
* [[Heathcote, New South Wales|Heathcote]]
* [[Illawong, New South Wales|Illawong]]
* [[Jannali, New South Wales|Jannali]]
* [[Kangaroo Point, New South Wales|Kangaroo Point]]
* [[Kareela, New South Wales|Kareela]]
* [[Kirrawee, New South Wales|Kirrawee]]
* [[Kurnell, New South Wales|Kurnell]]
* [[Lilli Pilli, New South Wales|Lilli Pilli]]
* [[Loftus, New South Wales|Loftus]]
* [[Lucas Heights, New South Wales|Lucas Heights]]
* [[Maianbar, New South Wales|Maianbar]]
* [[Menai, New South Wales|Menai]]
* [[Miranda, New South Wales|Miranda]]
* [[Oyster Bay, New South Wales|Oyster Bay]]
* [[Port Hacking, New South Wales|Port Hacking]]
* [[Sandy Point, New South Wales|Sandy Point]]
* [[Sutherland, New South Wales|Sutherland]] 
* [[Sylvania, New South Wales|Sylvania]]
* [[Sylvania Waters, New South Wales|Sylvania Waters]]
* [[Taren Point, New South Wales|Taren Point]]
* [[Waterfall, New South Wales|Waterfall]]
* [[Woolooware, New South Wales|Woolooware]]
* [[Woronora, New South Wales|Woronora]]
* [[Woronora Heights, New South Wales|Woronora Heights]]
* [[Yarrawarrah, New South Wales|Yarrawarrah]]
* [[Yowie Bay, New South Wales|Yowie Bay]]
}}

Localities and features within Sutherland Shire include:
{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|
* [[Audley, New South Wales|Audley]]
* [[Caravan Head, New South Wales|Caravan Head]]
* [[Como West, New South Wales|Como West]]
* [[Gundamaian, New South Wales|Gundamaian]]
* [[Royal National Park]]
* [[Sylvania Heights, New South Wales|Sylvania Heights]]
* [[Warumbul, New South Wales|Warumbul]]
* [[Woronora Dam, New South Wales|Woronora Dam]]
}}

== Demographics ==
[[File:North Cronulla Beach 1.JPG|thumb|250px|People on [[North Cronulla Beach]]]]
[[File:Gymea Church.JPG|thumb|250px|St Stylianos Greek Orthodox Church, [[Gymea, New South Wales|Gymea]]]]
[[File:Sutherland shire montage.jpg|right|thumb|250px|'''Left to right from top:''' The suburb of [[Sutherland, New South Wales|Sutherland]]''';''' [[Cronulla, New South Wales|Cronulla]] and [[Cronulla, New South Wales#Beaches|beaches]]''';''' [[Westfield Miranda|Westfield]], [[Miranda, New South Wales|Miranda]]''';''' [[Cronulla sand dunes, Kurnell Peninsula|Kurnell Sand Dunes]].]]

At the [[2021 Australian census|2021 census]], there were 230,211 people in Sutherland Shire. Of these, 48.9% were male and 51.1% were female. Indigenous Australians made up 1.4% of the population. The median age of people in Sutherland Shire was 41 years. Children aged 0 – 14 years made up 18.5% of the population and people aged 65 years and over made up 18.8% of the population. Of all the people in Sutherland Shire aged 15 years and over, 52.2% were married and 10.6% were either separated or divorced.<ref name=":0" />

The median [[household income|weekly income]] for residents within Sutherland Shire was higher than the national average.<ref name=":0" />

The most common ancestries in Sutherland Shire were English 38.0%, Australian 35.6%, Irish 12.4%, Scottish 9.6% and Italian 4.9%.  In The Shire, of all occupied private dwellings, 5.3% had 1 bedroom, 21.9% had 2 bedrooms and 32.9% had 3 bedrooms. The average number of bedrooms per occupied private dwelling was 3.2. The average household size was 2.7 people.<ref name=":0" />

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan=7|Selected historical census data for Sutherland Shire
|-
!colspan=3|Census year !!2001<ref name="Census2001">{{Census 2001 AUS|id=LGA17150 |name=Sutherland Shire (A) |access-date=8 December 2012 |quick=on}}</ref>!!2006<ref name="Census2006">{{Census 2006 AUS|id=LGA17150 |name=Sutherland Shire (A) |access-date=8 December 2012 |quick=on}}</ref>!!2011<ref name="Census2011">{{Census 2011 AUS|id=LGA17150|name=Sutherland Shire (A)|access-date=8 December 2012|quick=on}}</ref>!!2016<ref name="Census2016"/>
|-
|rowspan=4 colspan="2"|Population ||Estimated residents on [[Census in Australia|census night]] ||align="right"|{{formatnum:202158}} ||align="right"|{{formatnum:205448}} ||align="right"|{{formatnum:210863}} ||align="right"|{{formatnum:218464}}
|-
|align="right"|[[List of all local government areas in New South Wales|LGA rank in terms of size within New South Wales]] ||align="right"| ||align="right"|2<small>nd</small> ||align="right"|7<small>th</small> ||align="right"|6<small>th</small>
|-
|align="right"|% of New South Wales population ||align="right"| ||align="right"| ||align="right"|3.05% ||align="right"|2.82%
|-
|align="right"|% of Australian population ||align="right"|1.08% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;1.03% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;0.98% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;0.90%
|-
!colspan=3|Cultural and language diversity !! !! !! !!
|-
|rowspan=5 colspan=2|[[Ancestor|Ancestry]],<br />top responses ||[[Australians|Australian]]||align="right"| ||align="right"| ||align="right"|28.9% ||align="right"|26.3%
|-
|[[English people|English]]||align="right"| ||align="right"| ||align="right"|28.0% ||align="right"|27.6%
|-
|[[Irish people|Irish]]||align="right"| ||align="right"| ||align="right"|9.0% ||align="right"|9.5%
|-
|[[Scottish people|Scottish]]||align="right"| ||align="right"| ||align="right"|6.6% ||align="right"|6.9%
|-
|[[Italian people|Italian]]||align="right"| ||align="right"| ||align="right"|3.0% ||align="right"|3.2%
|-
|rowspan=5 colspan=2|Language,<br />top responses<br />(other than [[Australian English|English]]) ||[[Greek language|Greek]]||align="right"|1.9% ||align="right"|{{steady}}&nbsp;1.9% ||align="right"|{{steady}}&nbsp;1.9% ||align="right"|{{steady}}&nbsp;1.9%
|-
|[[Arabic language|Arabic]]||align="right"|1.0% ||align="right"|{{steady}}&nbsp;1.0% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;0.9% ||align="right"|{{steady}}&nbsp;0.9%
|-
|[[Cantonese]] ||align="right"|1.0% ||align="right"|{{steady}}&nbsp;1.0% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;0.9% ||align="right"|{{profit}}&nbsp;1.0%
|-
|[[Italian language|Italian]]||align="right"|1.1% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;0.9% ||align="right"|{{steady}}&nbsp;0.9% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;0.8%
|-
|[[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]]||align="right"|n/c ||align="right"|{{profit}}&nbsp;0.6% ||align="right"|{{profit}}&nbsp;0.7% ||align="right"|{{profit}}&nbsp;1.4%
|-
!colspan=3|Religious affiliation !! !! !! !!
|-
|rowspan=5 colspan=2|[[Religion in Australia|Religious]] affiliation,<br />top responses ||[[Roman Catholic Church in Australia|Catholic]]||align="right"|30.5% ||align="right"|{{profit}}&nbsp;30.6% ||align="right"|{{profit}}&nbsp;31.0% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;29.2%
|-
|[[Anglican Church of Australia|Anglican]]||align="right"|28.7% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;26.9% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;25.8% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;20.7%
|-
|[[Irreligion|No religion]]||align="right"|10.8% ||align="right"|{{profit}}&nbsp;12.9% ||align="right"|{{profit}}&nbsp;16.1% ||align="right"|{{profit}}&nbsp;24.1%
|-
|[[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia|Eastern Orthodox]]||align="right"|3.6% ||align="right"|{{profit}}&nbsp;4.1% ||align="right"|{{profit}}&nbsp;4.3% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;4.2%
|-
|[[Uniting Church of Australia|Uniting Church]]||align="right"|5.9% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;5.0% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;4.2%
|-
!colspan=3|Median weekly incomes !! !! !! !!
|-
|rowspan=2 colspan=2|Personal income ||Median weekly personal income||align="right"| ||align="right"|A$601 ||align="right"|A$718 ||align="right"|A$837
|-
|align="right"|% of Australian median income||align="right"| ||align="right"|129.0% ||align="right"|124.4% ||align="right"|126.4%
|-
|rowspan=2 colspan=2|Family income ||Median weekly family income||align="right"| ||align="right"|A$1,374 ||align="right"|A$2,014 ||align="right"|A$2,312
|-
|align="right"|% of Australian median income||align="right"| ||align="right"|133.8% ||align="right"|136.0% ||align="right"|133.3%
|-
|rowspan=2 colspan=2|Household income ||Median weekly household income||align="right"| ||align="right"|A$1,650 ||align="right"|A$1,674 ||align="right"|A$1,979
|-
|align="right"|% of Australian median income||align="right"| ||align="right"|140.9% ||align="right"|135.7% ||align="right"|137.6%
|}

==Presidents and Mayors==
===Sutherland Shire Presidents 1906–1993===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Mayor
!Term
!Notes
|-
| W. G. Judd
| 1906–1910
|<ref name="MayorList">{{cite web |title=Historical list of mayors and councillors |url=https://cms.ssc.nsw.gov.au/files/sharedassets/website/document-library/governance/councillors/historical-list-of-mayors-and-councillors-pdf.pdf?11092018 |website=SSC |publisher=Sutherland Shire Council |access-date=8 September 2023}}</ref>
|-
| E. W. Hyndman
| 1911–1915
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| R. W. Cook
| 1916
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| [[Cecil Monro]]
| 1917–1918
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| J. Hill
| 1918
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| W. R. Ainsworth
| 1919–1921
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| [[Cecil Monro]]
| 1922–1927
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| R. W. Cook
| 1928
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| A. J. Hand
| 1929
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| E. S. Shaw
| 1930–1933
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| R. Bingham
| 1934
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| E. S. Shaw
| 1935–1938
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| [[Cecil Monro]]
| 1939
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| R. Bingham
| 1940–1942
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| A. H. Tucker
| 1943
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| E. S. Shaw
| 1944
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| L. J. Sandow
| 1945
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| J. W. H. Lawrence
| 1946
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| J. Skillcorn
| 1947
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| W. E. Peisley
| 1948
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| [[Cecil Monro]]
| 1949–1951
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Reginald H. Doneathy
| 1952
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Darrell G. Welch
| 1953
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Arthur G. Harper
| 1954
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Ronald J. O'Brien
| 1955–1956
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| John A. Dwyer
| 1957–1958
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Horace J. Cartledge
| 1959
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| John A. Dwyer
| 1960
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| [[Arthur Gietzelt]]
| 1961–1963
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Keith Bates
| 1964–1965
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| [[Arthur Gietzelt]]
| 1966–1971
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Ray W. Thorburn
| 1972
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Kevin Skinner
| 1973–1974
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Peter Lewis
| 1974–1975
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Michael T. P. Tynan
| 1975–1978
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Jean M. Manuel, MBE
| 1978–1979
|<ref name="MayorList"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Jean Manuel MBE |url=https://localhistory.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/103727 |website=Local History - Sutherland Shire Libraries |access-date=29 November 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| Allan Andrews
| 1979–1981
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Kevin Skinner
| 1981–1986
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Ian B. Swords
| 1986–1987
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Carol Provan
| 1987–1988
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Michael T. P. Tynan
| 1988–1989
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Douglas T. McNeil
| 1989–1990
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| Don R. Carter
| 1990–1991
|<ref name="MayorList"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Trembath |first1=Murray |title='Giant of the Menai area' farewelled |url=https://www.theleader.com.au/story/7312249/giant-of-the-menai-area-farewelled/ |access-date=29 November 2024 |work=[[St George and Sutherland Shire Leader]] |publisher=[[Australian Community Media]] |date=24 June 2021 |language=en-au}}</ref>
|-
| Ian B. Swords
| 1991–1993
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|}

===Mayors of Sutherland Shire, 1993-Present===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan="2"| Mayor
!Party
!Term
!Notes
|-
| {{Australian party style|Labor}}|&nbsp;
| Ian B. Swords
| [[New South Wales Labor Party|Labor]]
| 1 July 1993 – 1994
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| {{Australian party style|Labor}}|&nbsp;
| Genevieve Rankin
|Labor
| 1994–1995
|<ref name="MayorList"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Rankin, Genevieve |url=https://www.womenaustralia.info/entries/rankin-genevieve/ |website=AWR |access-date=29 November 2024 |language=en-AU}}</ref>
|-
| {{Australian party style|Independent}}|&nbsp;
| Lorraine Rodden
| [[Independent politician|Independent]]
| 1995–1996
|<ref name="MayorList"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Sutherland (N.S.W. : Shire). Council. - Mayors |url=https://localhistory.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/187234 |website=Local History - Sutherland Shire Libraries |access-date=29 November 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}}|&nbsp;
| Kevin Schreiber
| [[New South Wales Liberal Party|Liberal]]
| 1996–1999
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| {{Australian party style|Labor}}|&nbsp;
| Ken McDonell
| Labor
| 1999–2000
|<ref name="MayorList"/><ref name="Tally">{{cite web |last1=Raue |first1=Ben |title=Sutherland council election, 2021 |url=https://www.tallyroom.com.au/archive/nswcouncil2021/sutherland2021#history |website=The Tally Room |access-date=8 September 2023 |date=5 May 2021}}</ref>
|-
| {{Australian party style|shire watch}}|&nbsp;
| Tracie Sonda
| [[Shire Watch Independents|Shire Watch]]
| 2000–2002
|<ref name="MayorList"/><ref name="Tally"/>
|-
| {{Australian party style|Labor}}|&nbsp;
| Phil Blight
| Labor
| 2002–2004
|<ref name="MayorList"/><ref name="Tally"/>
|-
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}}|&nbsp;
| Kevin Schreiber
| Liberal
| 2004–2006
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}}|&nbsp;
| David Redmond
| Liberal
| 2006–2008
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| {{Australian party style|shire watch}}|&nbsp;
| Lorraine Kelly
| [[Shire Watch Independents|Shire Watch]]
| 2008–2010
|<ref name="MayorList"/><ref name="Tally"/>
|-
| {{Australian party style|Labor}}|&nbsp;
| Phil Blight
| Labor
| 2010–2011
|<ref name="MayorList"/><ref name="Tally"/>
|-
| {{Australian party style|Independent}}|&nbsp;
| Carol Provan
| Independent
| 2011–2012
|<ref name="MayorList"/><ref name="Tally"/>
|-
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}}|&nbsp;
| Kent Johns
| Liberal
| 2012–2013
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}}|&nbsp;
| Steve Simpson
| Liberal
| 2013–2014
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}}|&nbsp;
| Kent Johns
| Liberal
| 2014–2015
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}}|&nbsp;
| Carmelo Pesce
| Liberal
| 2015–2020
|<ref name="MayorList"/>
|-
| {{Australian party style|Independent}}|&nbsp;
| Steve Simpson
| Independent
| 2020–2022
|<ref>{{cite news |last1=Trembath |first1=Murray |title=Mayor Steve Simpson calls time after 27 years |url=https://www.theleader.com.au/story/7349905/mayor-steve-simpson-calls-time-after-27-years/ |access-date=8 September 2023 |work=[[St George and Sutherland Shire Leader]] |publisher=[[Australian Community Media]] |date=21 July 2021 |language=en-AU}}</ref>
|-
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}}|&nbsp;
| Carmelo Pesce
| Liberal
| 2022 – 2024
|<ref>{{cite news |last1=Trembath |first1=Murray |title=Meet the new shire mayor: Carmelo Pesce |url=https://www.theleader.com.au/story/3387825/meet-the-new-shire-mayor-carmelo-pesce/ |access-date=8 September 2023 |work=[[St George and Sutherland Shire Leader]] |publisher=[[Australian Community Media]] |date=28 September 2015 |language=en-AU}}</ref>
|-
| {{Australian party style|Labor}}|&nbsp;
| Jack Boyd
| Labor
| 2024– present
|
|-
|}

== Council ==
===Current composition and election method===
Sutherland Shire Council is composed of fifteen [[councillor]]s elected [[Single transferable vote|proportionally]] as five separate [[Ward (country subdivision)|wards]], each electing three councillors. All councillors are elected for a fixed four-year term of office. The [[mayor]] is elected by the councillors at the first meeting of the council. The most recent election was held on 14 September 2024, and the makeup of the council is as follows:<ref>{{cite web |title=Sutherland Shire - Elections |url=https://vtr.elections.nsw.gov.au/LG2401/sutherland/results |website=vtr.elections.nsw.gov.au |publisher=[[New South Wales Electoral Commission]] |access-date=1 October 2024}}</ref><ref name="ind">{{cite news |last1=Trembath |first1=Murray |title=Independents Day: Pesce and Provan back in shock council election outcome |url=https://www.theleader.com.au/story/8779467/independents-hold-balance-of-power-in-sutherland-shire/ |access-date=1 October 2024 |work=[[St George and Sutherland Shire Leader]] |publisher=[[Australian Community Media]] |date=1 October 2024 |language=en-AU}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan="2"|Party!!Councillors
|-
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}}|&nbsp;
| [[New South Wales Liberal Party|Liberal]]
| align=right | 6
|-
| {{Australian party style|Labor}}|&nbsp;
| [[New South Wales Labor Party|Labor]]
| align=right | 5
|-
| {{Australian party style|Independent}}|&nbsp;
| [[Independent politician|Independent]]
| align=right |4
|-
|
| '''Total'''
| align=right | '''15'''
|}

The current Council, elected in 2024, in order of election by ward, is:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Ward!!colspan="2"|Councillor!!Party!!Notes
|-
| rowspan="3"|A Ward
| rowspan=2 {{Australian party style|Independent }}|&nbsp;
| Kal Glanznig
| rowspan=2 | [[Independent politician|Independent]]
|Elected 2024
|-
| Carol Provan
|Elected 2008; Councillor 1983–1991; Mayor 2011–2012; '''Deputy Mayor''' 2022–2024
|-
| rowspan=3 {{Australian party style|Liberal}}|&nbsp;
| Marcelle Elzerman
| rowspan=3 | [[New South Wales Liberal Party|Liberal]]
|Elected 2021
|-
| rowspan="3"|B Ward
| [[Melanie Gibbons]]
| Elected 2024; Councillor 2004–2012
|-
| Joanne Nicholls
|Elected 2021
|-
| rowspan=2 {{Australian party style|Labor}}|&nbsp;
| Jack Boyd
| rowspan=2 | [[New South Wales Labor Party|Labor]]
| Elected 2016; '''Mayor''' 2024–present
|-
| rowspan="3"|C Ward
| Jen Armstrong 
| Elected 2021
|-
| {{Australian party style|Independent }}|&nbsp;
| Carmelo Pesce
| [[Independent politician|Independent]]
| Elected 2012; '''Mayor''' 2015–2020 & 2022–2024
|-
| rowspan=2 {{Australian party style|Liberal}}|&nbsp;
| Haris Strangas
| rowspan=2 | [[New South Wales Liberal Party|Liberal]]
|Elected 2021
|-
| rowspan="3"|D Ward
| Meredith Laverty
| Elected 2024
|-
| rowspan=3 {{Australian party style|Labor}}|&nbsp;
| Diedree Steinwall
| rowspan=3 | Labor
| Elected 2012
|-
| Peter Tsambalas
| rowspan=2 | Elected 2024
|-
| rowspan="3"|E Ward
| Mick Maroney
|-
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}}|&nbsp;
| Stephen Nikolovski
| Liberal
| Elected 2021
|-
| {{Australian party style|Independent}}|&nbsp;
| Laura Cowell<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cowell |first1=Laura |title=Laura Cowell |url=https://www.lauracowell.com/ |website=Laura Cowell |access-date=8 September 2023 |language=en-AU}}</ref>
| Independent
| Elected 2021; '''Deputy Mayor''' 2024–present
|}

===Past composition===
{| class="wikitable"
! rowspan="3" | Election
! colspan="8" | Seats<ref>{{cite web |title=OVERDEVELOPMENT Is it being checked? |url=https://dws.ssec.org.au/resources/bobs_corner/2000_mar.htm |publisher=Sutherland Shire Environment Centre |access-date=14 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514043327/https://dws.ssec.org.au/resources/bobs_corner/2000_mar.htm |archive-date=14 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Raue |first1=Ben |title=Sutherland Shire election, 2016 |url=https://www.tallyroom.com.au/archive/nswcouncil2016/sutherland2016 |publisher=The Tally Room |access-date=14 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514035938/https://www.tallyroom.com.au/archive/nswcouncil2016/sutherland2016 |archive-date=14 May 2024}}</ref>
|-
! {{Australian politics/name|Labor NSW}}
! {{Australian politics/name|Liberal NSW}}
! [[Independent Liberal (Australia)|Ind. Liberal]]
! {{Australian politics/name|shire watch}}
! [[Community First Alliance|Comm. First]]
! {{Australian politics/name|Independent}}{{efn|Including local groups.}}
|-
! {{Australian party style|Labor NSW}} |
! {{Australian party style|Liberal NSW}} |
! {{Australian party style|Independent Liberal NSW}} |
! {{Australian party style|shire watch}} |
! {{Australian party style|community first alliance}} |
! {{Australian party style|Independent}} |
|-
| align="center"; style=background:#EAECF0 | '''[[1999 New South Wales local elections|1999]]'''
| align="center" | 5
| align="center" | 4
| {{n/a}}
| align="center" | 4
| {{n/a}}
| align="center" | 2
|-
| align="center"; style=background:#EAECF0 | '''[[2004 New South Wales local elections|2004]]'''
| align="center" | 3
| align="center" | 7
| {{n/a}}
| align="center" | 4
| {{n/a}}
| align="center" | 1
|-
| align="center"; style=background:#EAECF0 | '''[[2008 New South Wales local elections|2008]]'''
| align="center" | 3
| {{n/a}}
| align="center" | 4
| align="center" | 5
| align="center" | 2
| align="center" | 1
|-
| align="center"; style=background:#EAECF0 | '''[[2012 New South Wales local elections|2012]]'''
| align="center" | 3
| align="center" | 9
| {{n/a}}
| align="center" | 1
| {{n/a}}
| align="center" | 2
|-
| align="center"; style=background:#EAECF0 | '''[[2016 New South Wales local elections|2016]]'''
| align="center" | 7
| align="center" | 7
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
| align="center" | 1
|-
| align="center"; style=background:#EAECF0 | '''[[2021 New South Wales local elections|2021]]'''
| align="center" | 5
| align="center" | 8
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
| align="center" | 2
|-
| align="center"; style=background:#EAECF0 | '''[[2024 New South Wales local elections|2024]]'''
| align="center" | 5
| align="center" | 6
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
| align="center" | 4
|}

==Election results==
===2024===
{{excerpt|Results of the 2024 New South Wales local elections in Greater Sydney|section=Sutherland results}}

== History ==

=== Aboriginal history ===
The original inhabitants of the area of Sutherland Shire were some clans of the [[Tharawal people|Dharawal people]]. Archaeological work in the Shire has revealed evidence for [[Indigenous Australians|Aboriginal]] settlement dating back at least 8,500 years. The original coastline around Sydney has retreated about 20&nbsp;km and that those flooded coastal plains may hold evidence showing occupation of this area going back well beyond the 8,500 years revealed in the 1966 Archaeological exploration.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au/ssc/home.nsf/AllDocs/RWPD7F788C8EBBED143CA2575F500013BC6?OpenDocument |access-date=23 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090915190212/http://www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au/ssc/home.nsf/AllDocs/RWPD7F788C8EBBED143CA2575F500013BC6?OpenDocument |title=Traditional landowners |archive-date=15 September 2009 }}</ref>

Seashells became an important source of lime in the 1800s, and so, many middens in the Shire may have been mined for shells in order to produce mortar for construction.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cabbage Tree Basin Port Hacking, NSW|url=http://www.ssec.org.au/our_environment/our_bioregion/hacking/resources/reports/basin.pdf|access-date=5 April 2017}}</ref>

Within the [[Royal National Park]], field surveys have revealed many hundreds of Aboriginal rock shelters. In other locations (the military area near [[Holsworthy, New South Wales|Holsworthy]] and Darkes Forrest) there are thousands of ancient campsites and sacred places.{{cn|date=March 2025}}  These areas mentioned have not been affected greatly by European settlement, and may give a clearer example of the quality of life and the abundance of resources in the Sutherland/Liverpool area.{{cn|date=March 2025}} 

Since 1966, when there was an archaeological dig in Cabbage Tree Basin, archaeologists have uncovered parts of an extensive open-air [[midden]] or cooking and camp sites.{{cn|date=March 2025}}  Successive layers of habitation show the diet of the native Aboriginal people: [[oyster]]s, [[mussel]]s, [[Australasian snapper|snapper]], [[bream]], and [[Sydney cockle]].{{cn|date=March 2025}}  There is also evidence of [[Pinniped|seal]], [[dolphin]], a range of [[marsupial]]s, [[dingo]] and even [[whale]]. Several edge-ground [[axe]]s have also been found.{{cn|date=March 2025}} 

There are many places where paintings and engravings of great age show changes in art style over thousands of years. Some of these changes can be linked to the extinction of animals in the local area and to the arrival of [[European ethnic groups|European]]s. Some have interpreted these artistic changes to changes in culture and people which would indicate that there have been a number of changes of communities over time.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030529103219/http://www.ssrguides.org/about.php?sub=areahistory |archive-date=2003-05-29 |title=A Short History of the Area |website=Sutherland Shire Region Guides |url=http://www.ssrguides.org/about.php?sub=areahistory }}</ref>

=== European settlement ===
[[File:Cook's landing at Botany Bay.jpg|thumb|left|Cook landing at Botany Bay]]
European discovery of what is now Sutherland Shire was made by [[Lieutenant]] [[James Cook]], who entered [[Botany Bay]] on 29 April 1770. Cook and his party explored around Kurnell Peninsula, and left the bay on 6 May. During their brief stay, a [[Scottish people|Scottish]] seaman named Forbes Sutherland died of [[tuberculosis]]. In his honour, Cook named the northwest point of the peninsula Point Sutherland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au/ssc/rwpattach.nsf/viewasattachmentPersonal/FactSheet_5_FINAL_20041020.pdf/$file/FactSheet_5_FINAL_20041020.pdf |access-date=12 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090913083423/http://www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au/ssc/rwpattach.nsf/viewasattachmentPersonal/FactSheet_5_FINAL_20041020.pdf/$file/FactSheet_5_FINAL_20041020.pdf |title=History of Sutherland Shire |archive-date=13 September 2009 }}</ref>

The British government needed a new site for transported [[Convictism in Australia|convict]]s as they had lost their American colonies following defeat in the [[American Revolutionary War]]. Botany Bay was chosen as the new penal settlement and the [[First Fleet]] under Governor [[Arthur Phillip]] anchored off Kurnell on 18 January 1788. After sending a party to clear land for settlement, Phillip soon realised the area was unsuitable. There was lack of shelter for ships, inadequate water and poor soil. On 24 January, two French ships were sighted off the coast, causing Phillip to raise English colours near Sutherland Point. Governor Phillip sailed north to explore [[Port Jackson]], and eventually settled at [[Sydney Cove]].

The first landowner in Sutherland Shire was James Birnie, a mercantile trader who was granted by promise {{convert|700|acres}} at Kurnell in 1815.<ref name="oldstudy">{{cite web |author=M. Hutton Neve |date=October 2000 |url=http://www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au/ssc/rwpattach.nsf/viewasattachmentPersonal/Old+Study+1+scanned.pdf/$file/Old+Study+1+scanned.pdf |access-date=12 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090915185453/http://www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au/ssc/rwpattach.nsf/viewasattachmentPersonal/Old+Study+1+scanned.pdf/$file/Old+Study+1+scanned.pdf |title=A brief history of Sutherland Shire |archive-date=15 September 2009 }}</ref> After the completion of official surveying, a large part of what is now Sutherland Shire was proclaimed as the Hundred of Woronora by Governor [[Richard Bourke]] in 1835.{{cn|date=March 2025}}  [[Title (property)|Title]] to land was not granted by [[the Crown]] until 1856, before which there was practically no settlement. Timber cutting was the primary industry, supplemented by shell gathering in the [[Port Hacking]] area.{{cn|date=March 2025}} 

With the opening of Crown Lands sales in the Sutherland Shire, [[Thomas Holt (Australian politician)|Thomas Holt]] purchased {{convert|12000|acres}}. His developmental projects included oyster farms,<ref>[http://www.ssec.org.au/our_environment/our_bioregion/towra/about/history.htm Towra Point Nature Reserve<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> cattle grazing, and coal mining.<ref name="oldstudy" /> The investment which proved profitable however, were his timber leases. He constructed a magnificent manor on the foreshores of Sylvania, called Sutherland House, based on English feudal lines.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Book of Sydney Suburbs |editor=Pollon, Frances |publisher=Angus & Robertson Publishers |year=1990 |location=Australia |isbn=0-207-14495-8}}</ref> Due to 99-year leases, Holt's estate reduced development in the Sutherland Shire even into the 20th century.<ref>{{cite web |title=A HISTORY OF HAZELHURST REGIONAL GALLERY AND ARTS CENTRE |url=http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/files/assets/website/documents/community/hazelhurst/history_of_hazelhurst_booklet.pdf |website=sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au |access-date=11 January 2019}}</ref>

=== Development of transport ===
[[File:Sutherlandtrain1920.jpg|thumb|A train in Sutherland circa 1920]]
The main mode of transport in the area was originally by water. Farmers' ships sailed up the coast into Botany Bay, and up the [[Georges River|Georges]] and [[Woronora River|Woronora]] rivers, avoiding the wharfage and custom dues at Port Jackson. The first public road, the Illawarra Road (now called the Old Illawarra Road) to the "Five Islands" (now [[Wollongong, New South Wales|Wollongong]]), was constructed between 1842 and 1845 with convict labour.{{cn|date=March 2025}} A new southern line of road was completed in 1864, linking up with the Illawarra Road at Engadine. Today this virtually is the line of the [[Princes Highway]], the main north–south thoroughfare through Sutherland Shire.

A railway line was extended from [[Hurstville, New South Wales|Hurstville]] in 1884 to develop the rich Illawarra district. The railway brought into being firstly a huge [[shanty town]] on the heights of [[Como, New South Wales|Como]], and later developed the area into a holiday centre.{{cn|date=March 2025}} [[Sutherland railway station]] was opened in 1885, named after [[John Sutherland (New South Wales politician)|John Sutherland]], a Minister of Works.

[[File:Caringbah histpan.jpg|thumb|left|upright=2|Panorama of Caringbah, circa 1920]]
At this time, the greater part of the Sutherland Shire was connected only by access tracks. A road soon opened between the railway station and [[Cronulla Beach]], catering mostly to families and fishing parties. This was followed by the Sutherland-Cronulla steam [[tram]] service, which was inaugurated in 1911.{{cn|date=March 2025}}  Not only did the service greatly increase the popularity of the Cronulla beaches, but it was of great advantage to the slowly developing business interests in the Sutherland Shire.{{cn|date=March 2025}} 

Increasing motor traffic caused a falling-off of passengers and the tram passenger service closed in 1931. The goods service ceased the following year. Increased road traffic with the north led to the opening of the first road bridge into the Shire, at [[Tom Uglys Bridge|Tom Ugly's Point]], in 1929. The six-lane [[Captain Cook Bridge, New South Wales|Captain Cook Bridge]] over the Georges River, spanning Rocky Point and Taren Point, was opened in 1965, replacing the completely inadequate ferry service.<ref name="sutherland.nsw.gov.au">{{cite web |url=http://www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au/ |title=webpage name tba |publisher=Sutherland Shire Council }}</ref>

=== Residential development ===
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Cronulla beach pre 1950s.jpg|thumb|right|Cronulla Beach prior to the 1950s]] -->
[[File:Miranda flats.JPG|thumb|right|Flats in [[Miranda, New South Wales|Miranda]]]]
Coastal and river frontage areas, such as Como, Illawong, Cronulla, Illawarra and Yowie Bay, became popular as country retreats. A form of voluntary local government was attempted in 1888, but [[law and order (politics)|law and order]] was still administered by the court at [[Liverpool, New South Wales|Liverpool]] until 1905. In that year, the {{Cite Legislation AU|NSW|act||Local Government (Shires) Act 1905}}{{dead link|date=February 2020}}<!-- link works, but no content there --> provided that the whole of New South Wales be divided into [[shire]]s. The State Governor, [[Harry Rawson]] selected the name, and proclaimed this district "Sutherland, No. 133" on 6 March 1906 and fixed the boundaries. At the time, Sutherland Shire had 1600 residents, and was divided into three [[Riding (division)|riding]]s.

With only a small rates base, one of the early problems for the council was the provision of new roads. The construction of the Sutherland-Cronulla tramway by the [[New South Wales Government Railways|Railways Commission]] went far in stimulating business activity and driving land sales. The population of Sutherland Shire increased from 2,896 in 1911, when the tramway opened, to over 7,500 in 1913. By 1931 the population had exceeded 12,000.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

After the Second World War, the [[Housing NSW|Housing Commission]], under the auspices of [[William McKell]], began acquiring land to build "homes for heroes", including in the Shire.<ref>{{cite web |title=A HISTORY OF HAZELHURST REGIONAL GALLERY AND ARTS CENTRE |url=http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/files/assets/website/documents/community/hazelhurst/history_of_hazelhurst_booklet.pdf |website=sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au |access-date=11 January 2019}}</ref> It was not until the early 1950s that this district of scattered dwellings, vacant blocks and quiet villages became a suburban area of Sydney. Until this time, Sutherland Shire was not considered part of the Sydney Urban Area, but was part of Metropolitan Sydney.

In terms of residential development, one of the most imaginative homebuilding concepts has been Sylvania Waters. In this community, individually designed family homes were built around a series of [[Canal|man-made canals]]. The urban release of land in the [[Menai, New South Wales|Menai]] district, to the west of the Woronora River, commenced in the 1970s.<ref name="sutherland.nsw.gov.au"/>

===Economic development===
Associated with this growth of population was industrial, social and commercial development. The [[Sutherland Shire Libraries]] system was established in 1953 in a former doctor's home at Sutherland with 8,000 books. The Captain Cook Drive from [[Caringbah]] to [[Kurnell, New South Wales|Kurnell]] was constructed in 1953 in conjunction with the establishment in 1956 of the [[Kurnell Refinery]]. In the suburb of Lucas Heights, the [[Australian Atomic Energy Commission]], which is now organised as the [[Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation]] (ANSTO), established its main research campus and its first nuclear reactor ([[High Flux Australian Reactor|HIFAR]]) in 1956. The reactor went critical on 26 January 1958, before shutting down and undergoing decommissioning in early 2007.

=== Contemporary history ===
[[File:Cronulla Burraneer 1.JPG|thumb|View of Cronulla from [[Burraneer, New South Wales|Burraneer]]]]
In January 1994, the [[1994 Eastern seaboard fires]] destroyed parts of Como West, Jannali and Bonnet Bay; and affected the southern suburbs of Bundeena, Maianbar and Heathcote.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mutton|first1=Sheree|title=Shire fire horror still lingers 20 years on|url=http://www.theleader.com.au/story/2012100/shire-fire-horror-still-lingers-20-years-on/|access-date=10 April 2018|work=St George & Sutherland Shire Leader|date=9 January 2014|language=en}}</ref>

In the {{CensusAU|2011}}, Sutherland Shire was the second{{dubious|date=August 2018|reason=does not correspond with the information in the demographics table below}} most populous local government area in New South Wales, and eighth in Australia overall.<ref name="Census2011"/>

In December 2005, following incidents at the Cronulla beaches culminating in an assault on a lifeguard by youth of [[Lebanese people|Lebanese descent]], an anonymous [[SMS|text message]], publicised by major media outlets in Australia, called on people to gather at Cronulla beach on the following Sunday and attack "wogs and lebs". On 11 December 2005 and the days that followed, [[2005 Cronulla riots|a series of riots and retaliatory attacks]] broke out in Cronulla and other beach-side suburbs in Sydney's east which saw numerous assaults. There were two non-fatal stabbings and property damage, especially to motor vehicles. There were many people arrested, over one hundred charged, and extensive national and international media interest.<ref name="police response review-vol-1">{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/ep38cronulla1.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110235157/http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/ep38cronulla1.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 November 2012 |title=Strike Force Neil, Cronulla Riots, Review of the Police Response Media Component Volume 1 of 4 |access-date=11 December 2015 |format=PDF-19.4 MB}}</ref><ref name="police response review-vol-2">{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/ep38cronulla2.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121143217/http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/ep38cronulla2.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 January 2012 |title=Strike Force Neil, Cronulla Riots, Review of the Police Response Media Component Volume 2 of 4 |access-date=11 December 2015 |format=PDF-16.9 MB}}</ref><ref name="police response review-vol-3">{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/ep38cronulla3.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113040146/http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/ep38cronulla3.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 November 2012 |title=Strike Force Neil, Cronulla Riots, Review of the Police Response Media Component Volume 3 of 4 |access-date=11 December 2015 |format=PDF-18.8 MB }}</ref>

The Sutherland Shire is home to a population of approximately 140 [[koala]]s, which are an endangered species.<ref>{{cite web |title=Koalas |url=https://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/native-wildlife/koalas |website=sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au |language=en |date=19 January 2023}}</ref>

== Heritage listings ==
Sutherland Shire has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
* Audley, Sir Bertram Stevens & Audley Road: [[Audley historic recreational complex]]<ref name=nswshr-976>{{cite NSW SHR|5045515|Audley historic recreational complex|hr=00976|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
* Caringbah South, 44-46 Fernleigh Road: [[Fernleigh, Caringbah South]]<ref name=nswshr-302>{{cite NSW SHR|5045244|Fernleigh|hr=00302|fn=09/4925; S90/05966 & HC 32339|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
* Cronulla, Captain Cook Drive: [[Cronulla sand dunes]]<ref name=nswshr-1668>{{cite NSW SHR|5051207|Cronulla Sand Dune and Wanda Beach Coastal Landscape|hr=01668|fn=10/07771; S96/00890|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
* Cronulla, Cronulla railway: [[Cronulla railway station]]<ref name=nswshr-1123>{{cite NSW SHR|5011980|Cronulla Railway Station group|hr=01123|fn=H06/00200|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
* Cronulla, 202 Nicholson Parade: [[Cronulla Fisheries Centre]]<ref name=nswshr-1011>{{cite NSW SHR|5045100|Cronulla Fisheries Centre, The|hr=01011|fn=10/7769; S96/00446, EF14/5299|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
* Dolans Bay, 733 Port Hacking Road: [[Lyons House, Sydney]]<ref name=nswshr-1930>{{cite NSW SHR|5061538|Lyons House|hr=01930|fn=13/04115, EF14/6343|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
* Heathcote, 1-21 Dillwynnia Grove: [[Heathcote Hall]]<ref name=nswshr-191>{{cite NSW SHR|5045238|Heathcote Hall|hr=00191|fn=10/7772; S90/05841 & HC 32471|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
* Kurnell, Cape Solander Drive: [[Kamay Botany Bay National Park]]<ref name=nswshr-1918>{{cite NSW SHR|5061543|Kamay Botany Bay National Park (North and South) and Towra Point Nature Reserve|hr=01918|fn=12/04200; 10/8180|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
* Loftus, Illawarra railway: [[Loftus Junction railway signal box]]<ref name=nswshr-1182>{{cite NSW SHR|5012083|Loftus Junction railway signal box|hr=01182|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
*[[Woronora Dam, New South Wales|Woronora Dam (suburb)]]: [[Woronora Dam]]<ref name=nswshr-1378>{{cite NSW SHR|5051466|Woronora Dam|hr=01378|fn=H06/00300|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>

== Geography ==
[[File:Port Hacking Estuary.JPG|thumb|right|[[Port Hacking]] estuary]]
Under the 1853 proclamation, the western boundary of district was the Woronora River. With the establishment of the Sutherland Shire on 6 March 1906, the western boundary was extended to take in more agricultural land in an area which is now modern day Menai. In 1919, the Illawong area was also transferred to the council. The Shire now has an area of {{convert|370|km2}}, of which {{convert|173|km2}} is state-designated national parkland.

The northern border of the Sutherland Shire can be crossed via four bridges: three road bridges ([[Alfords Point Bridge|Alfords Point]], [[Tom Uglys Bridge|Tom Uglys]] and [[Captain Cook Bridge, Sydney|Captain Cook]]) and the [[Como railway bridge]]. To the west, the [[Heathcote Road]] leading out of the Sutherland Shire passes by the [[Holsworthy Barracks|Holsworthy military reserve]]. To the south, the Princes Highway runs out of Waterfall towards the City of Wollongong. The eastern border is bounded by the [[Tasman Sea]].

In the eastern part the Sutherland Shire has a varying landscape of rugged sea cliffs and sandy beaches, and swampy bay coasts backed by sand dunes. To the west the surface consists of a broad plateau rising gently to the southwest, and cut into by several deep river gorges.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20040822210843/http://www.ssrguides.org/about.php?sub=map Location of the Sutherland Shire – Sutherland Shire Region Guides]</ref>

=== Geology ===
{{unreferencedsect|date=March 2025}}
[[File:SandDunesSutherlandShire.jpg|thumb|[[Cronulla sand dunes]]]]
The [[geology]] of Sutherland Shire, whilst sharing characteristics with the [[North Shore (Sydney)|North Shore]], is very different from the western and central suburbs of Sydney. Above the coal-bearing rocks is found the Narrabeen Group, mostly made up of layers of [[sandstone]] and characteristic red [[claystone]] beds. Overlying the Narrabeen Group is the Hawkesbury Sandstone, the rock unit most characteristic of the Shire. Occasional patches of Ashfield shale overlay the Hawkesbury sandstone. Some time later than the [[Triassic]] period – possibly early Tertiary – minor volcanic activity occurred in the area . This took the form of [[intrusion]] of a number of [[dike (geology)|dykes]] of [[basalt]]ic rock which forced their way up through the sedimentary rocks. Due to the wetting and drying action of the weather the basaltic rock of the dykes has changed to clay.

From the end of the [[Triassic]] period to the middle of the [[Tertiary]] period, soft material was worn down or removed by wind and running water. In the final stages of this period of erosion the climate was apparently rather wetter and more humid than today's, causing the exposed rocks to change and form [[laterite]] soil, which is abundant in the Sutherland Shire.

=== River system ===
{{unreferencedsect|date=March 2025}}
[[File:Gymea Bay 2.JPG|thumb|right|[[Gymea Bay]]]]
A little later in the Tertiary, tilting occurred south of the Georges River. The slow [[Tectonic uplift|uplift]], taking perhaps several million years, formed the present Woronora Plateau, a surface which rises gently in the south. This process caused the river system in the Shire to flow in steeper watercourses. They then became more active, carving the steep [[Canyon|gorges]] of Woronora, Hacking, Georges Rivers and their [[tributary|tributaries]] which can be seen today. [[Waterfall]]s such as those at Waterfall and Undola also formed during this period. Water supplies within the shire are of two kinds. The main source is the surface supply provided by the [[Woronora Dam]], which is built in the deep gorge of Woronora River. A second source exists in the form of [[Groundwater|underground water]].

During the last [[ice age]], the rivers had to do additional work cutting down through the rocks to reach the lower and more distant ocean, leading to the "valley-in-valley" shape of many of the deep gorges in the Sutherland Shire. When sea levels rose again, the silt and sand carried by the rivers gradually built up a considerable thickness of [[sediment]]. Sediment filled the area between Kurnell (then an island) and Miranda. Sand [[dune]]s began to accumulate in the Kurnell area and the mud and sand flats of Quibray and [[Gunnamatta Bay]]s began to form. The Kurnell sand dunes have provided a cheap source of sand for the southern suburbs of Sydney but in the process of exploitation this area has been robbed of its character and the removal of vegetation has opened the way to erosion.

=== Royal National Park ===
{{Main|Royal National Park}}
The Premier [[John Robertson (New South Wales Premier)|John Robertson]] dedicated {{convert|18000|acres}} to "The National Park" (now the [[Royal National Park]]), gazetted in 1879. This makes it the second oldest park of its kind in the world after [[Yellowstone National Park]] in [[United States|America]], although there is no public gazette record for Yellowstone until the 1880s, making a valid claim for The Royal National Park being the oldest in the world. In 1880 the Park was increased to {{convert|33000|acres}}. Today it is just under {{convert|44000|acres}}. The National Park was given the prefix "Royal" after [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth]] visited the park in 1954.

=== Urban structure ===
Sutherland Shire is now predominantly a residential area with commercial centres and minor industrial and rural areas. The commercial centres of the council are located in the suburbs of Sutherland, Miranda (home to [[Westfield Miranda]]), Cronulla, Caringbah, Menai and Engadine. Sutherland Shire's old mantra was:
* [[Sutherland, New South Wales|Sutherland]]: "The centre of business".
* [[Miranda, New South Wales|Miranda]]: "The centre of shopping"
* [[Cronulla]]: "The centre of leisure"

The suburb of Kurnell, which includes the site of the first landing site of James Cook, was also the site of a former [[oil refinery]].  Nearby is [[Towra Point Nature Reserve]], a [[wetland]] of international importance. Australia's first and only nuclear reactor facilities are in the suburb of Lucas Heights. The reactor, run by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) is not a power station but is used for the production of [[Radiopharmacology|radiopharmaceuticals]], for research and irradiation.

The isolated suburbs of Bundeena and Maianbar are situated on the southern shore of Port Hacking between the water and the Royal National Park. They are accessible by boat, including a regular ferry service from Cronulla to Bundeena operated by [[Cronulla & National Park Ferry Cruises]] or by road through the national park.

== Significant parks and reserves ==
* [[Botany Bay National Park]]
* [[Caravan Head Bushland Reserve]]
* [[Heathcote National Park]]
* [[Royal National Park]]
* [[Towra Point Nature Reserve]]
* [[Joseph Banks Native Plants Reserve, Kareela]]

== Transport ==
The Sutherland Shire is serviced by [[Transit Systems NSW|Transit Systems]] and [[U-Go Mobility]] bus services and [[Sydney Trains]] services on the [[Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line|Illawarra line]]. The [[Princes Highway]] is the major road passing through the Shire. [[Bangor Bypass]], [[Heathcote Road]] and [[New Illawarra Road]] are other major roads.

== Facilities ==
[[File:Sutherland Hospital.jpg|thumb|[[Sutherland Hospital]]]]
[[File:Yarrawarrah shops.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Yarrawarrah, New South Wales|Yarrawarrah]] windmill is a local landmark]]
[[File:Sutherland park.JPG|thumb|Peace Park in [[Sutherland, New South Wales|Sutherland]]]]

=== Education ===

There are now nearly 100 schools in the Sutherland Shire including the Gymea and Loftus Colleges of [[Technical and Further Education]], a technology high school ([[Gymea Technology High School]]), one of the ten academically selective high schools in New South Wales ([[Caringbah High School]]), a sports oriented high school ([[Endeavour Sports High School]]), more than twenty secondary schools, preschool centres, and special schools provided to serve children with specific learning needs.

=== Health ===

[[Sutherland Hospital|The Sutherland Hospital]] and Kareena Private Hospital are both located at Caringbah and President Private Hospital is located in Kirrawee.

=== Emergency services ===

Fire and Rescue NSW has stations at Miranda, Sutherland, Cronulla, Engadine and Bundeena. The NSW Ambulance Service has stations at Caringbah (Sutherland Hospital), Engadine in the south and Menai in the west and Bundeena. Due to the large area designated as National Park and the prevalence of bushland in the area Sutherland Shire has 12 [[New South Wales Rural Fire Service]] stations. There are stations located at Bundeena, Engadine, Grays Point, Heathcote, Illawong, Kurnell, Loftus, Maianbar, Menai (currently relocating to Barden Ridge), Sandy Point, Waterfall and Woronora. These brigades attend fires, vehicle accidents, missing persons searches and community education days. Good coverage in the area from [[Fire and Rescue NSW]] also means that these Rural Fire Service members are regularly sent out of area to help the rest of New South Wales and on occasion interstate. The Sutherland Shire also has a [[State Emergency Service]] unit based at Heathcote with facilities at Menai and shared facilities at Woronora.

==== Surf life saving and river life saving ====

There are four surf life saving clubs, a surf life saving offshore rescue boat and Marine Rescue NSW base located at Cronulla and a river life saving club and Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Service boats located at Woronora. The clubs and boats provide life saving and first aid services to the many visitors to the Sutherland Shire's beaches and rivers. The four surf clubs from south to north are: [[Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club|Cronulla SLSC]], [[North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club|North Cronulla SLSC]], [[Elouera Surf Life Saving Club|Elouera SLSC]] and [[Wanda Surf Life Saving Club|Wanda SLSC]]. The offshore rescue boat operated by the [[Cronulla District Lifesaver Rescue]] frequently assists in major marine rescues along the Sydney coast.

== Culture ==
Anthony Redmond claims the Shire has a reputation for insular [[Localism (politics)|localism]] that also manifests itself in [[Surf localism|surf culture]], has a high conservative vote and is Sydney's fourth largest [[Bible belt]].<ref>{{cite journal |author=Redmond, Anthony |year=2007 |title=Surfies Versus Westies: Kinship, Mateship and Sexuality in the Cronulla Riots |journal=The Australian Journal of Anthropology |volume=18 |number=3 |pages=336–351 |publisher=Proquest |doi=10.1111/j.1835-9310.2007.tb00100.x|hdl=1885/50705 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>

* The [[National Rugby League]] football club, the [[Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks]] are the major local professional sports team. They have an average attendance of 12,000-15,000.
* [[North Cronulla]] Surf Life Saving club doubled as a police station in the television series ''[[White Collar Blue]]''.
* [[Southern Districts Rugby Club]] is the premier grade rugby union football club for the Sutherland Shire and are known as the "Rebels". 
* The Sutherland Sharks Football Club<ref>http://www.sutherlandsharksfc.com.au/ Sutherland Sharks Football Club – Official website</ref> is the Sutherland Shire's New South Wales Premier League 1 Team in soccer. 
* Sutherland Shire Football Association<ref>http://shirefootball.com.au/ Sutherland Shire Football Association – Official website</ref> is the largest Football Association in the Southern Hemisphere.
* The [[Cronulla-Sutherland District Rugby Football League]] is the second-largest local rugby league competition in Sydney.
* Four winners of the world's biggest triathlon, the Ironman World Championships in Kailua-Kona Hawaii, call the Sutherland Shire home. Cronulla Triathlon Club athletes [[Greg Welch]] (1994), [[Michellie Jones]] (2006), [[Chris McCormack (triathlete)|Chris McCormack]] (2007 & 2010) and [[Craig Alexander (triathlete)|Craig Alexander]] (2008, 2009 & 2011). A resident of the Sutherland Shire won the race, considered the world's toughest one day sporting event, for six years running (2006–2011).
* The 1979 novel, ''[[Puberty Blues (novel)|Puberty Blues]]'' by [[Gabrielle Carey]] and [[Kathy Lette]], is a teen novel about the lives of two girls from the lower middle class of the Sutherland Shire.
* The 1981 film ''[[Puberty Blues (film)|Puberty Blues]]'' and the 2012 TV series ''[[Puberty Blues (TV series)|Puberty Blues]]'' are both based on the novel and predominantly filmed around the Sutherland Shire, including Cronulla Beach and the southern campus of [[Caringbah High School]].
* The television reality shows ''[[Sylvania Waters (TV series)|Sylvania Waters]]'' and ''[[The Shire (TV series)|The Shire]]'' follow the lives of residents in the Sutherland Shire.

== Economy ==
According to a [[National Institute of Economic and Industry Research]] profile in 2016, the Gross Regional Product of the Sutherland Shire is estimated to be $9.74 billion, 1.9% of NSW's Gross State Product.<ref>{{cite web|title=Economic profile {{!}} Sutherland Shire {{!}} economy.id|url=http://economy.id.com.au/sutherland|website=economy.id.com.au|access-date=14 October 2017|language=en}}</ref>

=== Retail ===
The biggest commercial areas in the Sutheland Shire are located at [[Miranda, New South Wales|Miranda]], [[Menai, New South Wales|Menai]], [[Sylvania, New South Wales|Sylvania]], [[Kirrawee, New South Wales|Kirrawee]], [[Caringbah]] and [[Cronulla, New South Wales|Cronulla]]. Miranda is the main retail and commercial centre of the Sutherland Shire, being home to [[Westfield Miranda]] along with Lederer Miranda and Kiora Centre as the two nearby smaller shopping centres.

[[Southgate Shopping Centre (Australia)|Southgate]] is another major shopping complex, located in Sylvania. Cronulla is also a popular retail and commercial centre, with numerous restaurants and cafes and a considerable number of surf stores and other clothing and fashion shops.

Other neighbourhood shopping centres have also developed at Bangor, Illawong, Kareela, Jannali, Yarrawarrah and Menai together with a small centre at Alfords Point. Gymea Shopping Village attracts many people, with a regional arts centre, [[Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Arts Centre]], and a cafe and restaurant scene.

=== Nuclear science ===
Since 1956, Sutherland Shire has been home to [[Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation|ANSTO]]’s [[Lucas Heights, New South Wales|Lucas Heights]] research campus, and the [[High Flux Australian Reactor|HIFAR]], [[MOATA]] and [[Open-pool Australian lightwater reactor|OPAL]] nuclear reactors. In the past, ANSTO, then known as the [[Australian Atomic Energy Commission|AAEC]], conducted scientific research into the [[nuclear fuel cycle]], [[nuclear medicine]], and methods for [[Enriched uranium#Enrichment methods|enriching]] [[uranium]]. It is believed that this was to support Australia’s fledgling [[Australia and weapons of mass destruction|nuclear weapons program]], which is thought to have lasted from the [[Menzies government (1949–1966)|Menzies government]] in the 1950s until the election of the [[Whitlam government]] in the early 1970s.

==Sister cities==
The Sutherland Shire maintains [[sister city]] relations with the following cities:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Council_The_Shire/About_the_Shire/Sister_Cities |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110423064543/http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Council_The_Shire/About_the_Shire/Sister_Cities |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 April 2011 |title=Sister Cities |work=About the Shire |publisher=Sutherland Shire Council |access-date=22 September 2012}}</ref>
*{{Flag icon|United States}} [[Lakewood, Colorado|Lakewood]], [[Colorado]], United States
*{{Flag icon|Japan}} [[Chūō, Tokyo|Chūō]], [[Tokyo]], Japan

There are also two informal relationships:
*{{Flag icon|Scotland}} [[Sutherland]], Scotland, [[United Kingdom|UK]]
*{{Flag icon|Wales}} [[Bangor, Gwynedd|Bangor]], [[Wales]], [[United Kingdom|UK]]

== See also ==
{{stack|{{Portal|New South Wales}}}}
* [[Local government areas of New South Wales]]

===Other See Also===

* [[Bangor Bypass]]
* [[Botany Bay]]
* [[2005 Cronulla riots|Cronulla riots]]
* [[Cronulla sand dunes]]
* ''[[Puberty Blues (film)|Puberty Blues]]''
* ''[[The Shire (TV series)|The Shire]]''

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Sutherland Shire}}
{{Wikivoyage|Sydney/Sutherland Shire|Sutherland Shire}}
*  [http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Home/ Sutherland Shire Council]
* [http://SutherlandShireInfo.com/ Sutherland Shire Info]
* [http://www.ssec.org.au/about_us/history.htm Sutherland Shire Environment Centre]

{{Sydney Sutherland suburbs|state=autocollapse}}
{{Sydney regions}}
{{Local Government Areas of New South Wales}}

[[Category:Sutherland Shire| ]]
[[Category:Local government areas in Sydney]]
[[Category:Botany Bay]]
[[Category:Georges River]]