Electric power generation and supply

Unique IDFN-0004Description*** This function applies only to Sydney City Council ***
Other municipal Councils absorbed by the City did not undertake generation or supply of electric power.

Council first switched on electric street lighting in Sydney in July 1904, supplying power from a newly-constructed generating plant at Pyrmont. The supply of power for private customers was at first gradually extended throughout the City and into surrounding suburban areas including on the north shore. The Council did not have a statutory monopoly and initially competed with other generators and suppliers such as the Palace Electric Co.

After 1918 expansion of supply was rapid, and the Electricity Undertaking became by far the largest enterprise of the Council, measured by staff numbers and capital borrowings. The Electricity Department operated on a commercial footing, and became increasingly independent from the other functions of the Council, headed by a General Manager. It was initially known as the Electric Light dept, then the Electricity Undertaking, and finally the Electricity department.

Securing a reliable supply of good quality coal at reasonable prices became a major concern of the Council during the period 1904-1935, and consideration was given to purchase of coal mines although this did not proceed.

In 1925-30 Council built a much larger power station at Bunnerong, in the Botany area of southern Sydney, a project that was accompanied by allegations of corruption that culminated in a Royal Commission of Inquiry in 1928-29.

The increasing demand for electric power supply, and capital requirements for the industry, were significant factors in a State Government decision to remove this function from Council and allocate it to a special-purpose authority. From January 1936 the new Sydney County Council took over the responsibilities and absorbed the staff and assets of the Electricity Department. Sydney County Council is now Energy Australia.

Bibliography: Gordon F Anderson, Fifty years of Electricity Supply [Sydney County Council, 1955]. Shirley Fitzgerald, Sydney 1842-1992 (Sydney, Hale & Ironmonger, 1992) pp 232-237.CreationMunicipal Council of Sydney (Electric Lighting) Act 1896 empowered the Council to generate electricity, establish lighting in streets and publicand private places, and supply electricity to private customers. This was not a monopoly power. It extended to areas outside the City boundaries.

For municipalities other than the City of Sydney: refer to the function 'suburban municipal government'.AbolitionGas and Electricity Act 1935 removed this function from the City Council and created the Sydney County Council as the electric power generation and supply authority, with effect from 1 January 1936.

Activity

Depots management

Architectural and engineering design and drafting

Ordinance and by-law enforcement, abatement of nuisances

Street openings

Electric power reticulation and supply

Electric power generation

Construction and maintenance of buildings and structures

Agency

Electric Lighting Committee

Sydney City Council

Electricity Department

Description

Start date26th October 1896End date31st December 1935

Identification

Source system ID4

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Electric power generation and supply