City of Darebin
The City of Darebin is a local government area in Victoria, Australia, in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. It has an area of and in June 2018 Darebin had a population of 161,609. Municipal offices are located at 350 High Street, Preston.
Darebin was rated 386th of 590 Australian Local Government Areas in the BankWest Quality of Life Index 2008.
History
The City of Darebin was formed in 1994 with the merger of most of the former Cities of Northcote and Preston, with the transfer of the portion of the City of Northcote of Heidelberg Road to the City of Yarra and minor adjustments with the former Cities of Coburg, Heidelberg and the Shire of Diamond Valley.Council
Current composition
Darebin is divided into nine single-member wards, each elected through preferential voting. Prior to 2020, councillors were elected from three multi-member wards.As of 2026, the councillors are:
Mayors
Past councillors
2020−present
Election results
2024
2020
Townships and localities
At the 2021 census, the city had a population of 148,570 up from 146,719 at the 2016 census.^ - ''Territory divided with another LGA''
Economy of Darebin
The 2012 Business Register states that Darebin currently has 11,575 businesses operating within the region. These businesses create 55,278 jobs for locals and residents of Melbourne, and the Darebin area itself has 74,291 employed residents. Darebin had a Gross Regional Product of A$5.23 billion in 2012, a 0.3% increase on the previous year. Since 2001, approximately A$1 billion of extra GRP has been created in the region. The biggest exports in Darebin are:- Manufacturing
- Education & training
- Wholesale trade
- Accommodation & food services – 49% increase
- Wholesale trade – 39.4% increase
Of the 11,575 registered businesses in Darebin, the most common industry sectors are:
- Construction – 1,992 registered businesses
- Professional, scientific & technical services – 1,442 registered businesses
- Rental, hiring & real estate services – 1,167 registered businesses
- Transport, postal & warehousing – 1,031 registered businesses
Demographics of Darebin
Darebin residents have a median age of 36 and earn on average $1,178 per week. According to the 2011 Australian Bureau of Statistics census, in Darebin:
- 28% of households are couples with children.
- 34% live in Medium/High density housing
- 34% of residents rent their property
- 28% have a bachelor's degree or Higher
- 21% travel on Public Transport to work
- 29% from Non-English speaking backgrounds
- Professionals
- Clerical & Administrative Workers
- Technicians & Trade Workers
Darebin has a diverse multicultural population, with 33.7% of residents being born overseas. The most common countries of birth are:
- Italy
- Greece
- India
- China
Darebin as a region is home to many environmentalists, and this, along with Darebin's proximity to the Melbourne CBD, is reflected in the transportation methods used by Darebin residents compared to Melbourne as a whole. Most residents still drive to work, with 50.1% of residents driving alone to work, however this is 10% lower than the Greater Melbourne average. Furthermore, 14.2% of Darebin residents travel to work by bus, compared to 11.9% in the rest of Melbourne. Darebin residents also walk to work, cycle to work or catch other modes of public transport more often than the rest of Melbourne. Since 2006, the largest single increase in transportation use has been in train travel, with 2,423 more residents catching the train, compared to 2,416 new vehicle drivers. This is the largest increase in Victoria.
Arts and entertainment
Darebin City has an active artist community which is contemporary, experimental and culturally diverse. Writers, musicians and visual artists flock to the locality for performance, collaboration and acceptance. Notable contributors to the Darebin arts community are locals, Rose Turtle Ertler, Sundown and/or Last Stand, The Contrast, The Melbourne Ukulele Kollective, DIY art shows and house gigs collective, Loveanarchistpress Publishing, Performing Older Women's Circus and TRAX Arts.Darebin celebrates the artistry and diversity of the community with regular festivals and events such as the Darebin Music Feast and the High Vibes festival. The city also funds community music, such as the Preston Symphony Orchestra and public artwork, such as the Fairfield Industrial Dog Object.
The Preston Market is a central feature of Darebin and attracts people from all around the area.
Image:DarebinCity 2008 Iveco Acco1.JPG|thumb|right|City of Darebin automated waste collection truck
Controversies
Australia Day
In August 2017 the City of Darebin followed the City of Yarra Council in deciding not to celebrate Australia Day events. This was criticised by conservative commentators, with the Federal government subsequently removing the council's powers to hold citizenship ceremonies.Same-sex marriage
In the lead-up to the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey the council announced it would allow pro same-sex marriage campaigners to use its facilities and services and deny this access to those of an alternate view. This was criticised by conservative commentators but welcomed by community members.The council subsequently reversed its plans to oppose those campaigning for the 'no' vote.