Rates Books

The Randwick Municipal Council Rate Books 1859-1926 are held on microfilm at the Lionel Bowen Library. They are for use in the Local Studies room of the Library during normal opening hours. They form a valuable resource for local and family historians as these records detail land parcels and ratepayers, revealing information on Randwick’s land occupation, tenure, and subdivision. They can offer insights into property ownership succession and help date building activity.

The Rate Books were produced to provide information on land ownership and, if buildings were erected on that land, who was the occupier.

Details of improvements such as buildings are in the Valuation Books which survive for the 20th Century and are held at the Lionel Bowen Library.

The rate books are currently unavailable as they are offsite being digitised, with a return date estimation of the 1st of November 2026. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

The Rate books are divided into the wards of the Randwick Local Government Area. The borders of these have changed over the years.

For instance, in 1911 there was a major redraw of the Ward boundaries which saw significant changed with the transfer of most of Kensington from the South ward to the West Ward. 

Please see the "Randwick Wards, Streets and Estates Reference" document under 'Publications and Media' below for a futher breakdown.