Sorell Council is a local government body in Tasmania, situated in the south-east of the state. The Sorell local government area is classified as rural and has a population of 15,218.[2] The major centres of the region include Dodges Ferry, Dunalley, Primrose Sands and the principal town of Sorell.
| Sorell Council Tasmania | |||||||||||||||
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 Map showing the Sorell local government area. | |||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 42°46′51″S 147°41′25″E / 42.7808°S 147.6904°E | ||||||||||||||
| Population | 16,734 (2021)[1] | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 28.654/km2 (74.21/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Established | 1 January 1862 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 584 km2 (225.5 sq mi)[2] | ||||||||||||||
| Mayor | Charles Wooley (Acting) | ||||||||||||||
| Council seat | Sorell | ||||||||||||||
| Region | Sorell and surrounds | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Lyons | ||||||||||||||
| Federal division(s) | Lyons | ||||||||||||||
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| Website | Sorell Council | ||||||||||||||
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History and attributes
The Sorell Municipal Council was established on 1 January 1862, and the first council elected March 26 1862.[3] Sorell is classified as rural, agricultural and very large under the Australian Classification of Local Governments.[4]
Sorell was historically divided from Hobart, and relied on ferry transport until the construction of a causeway in 1872.[5]
Marion Bay, on the council's east coast, was home to the Tasmanian Falls Festival, an annual music and arts festival held every New Year's Eve for 17 years between 2003 - 2019. Due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival did not continue beyond its 17th year.[6]
Mayors
Past mayors of Sorell Council include:
- Carmel Torenius (1994-1999)
- Kerry Degrassi (1999-2000)
- Carmel Torenius (2000-2012)
- Kerry Vincent (2012-2024)[7]
- Charles Wooley - Acting (2024)[8]
Councillors
As of the 2022 Tasmanian Local Government Elections, the current makeup of the Sorell Council is as follows:[9]
| Name | Position | Party affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Charles Wooley | Acting Mayor | Independent |
| Shannon Campbell | Councillor | Independent |
| Janet Gatehouse | Councillor | Independent |
| Marisol Miró Quesada Le Roux | Councillor | Independent |
| Beth Nichols | Councillor | Independent |
| Melinda Reed | Councillor | Independent |
| Natham Reynolds | Councillor | Independent |
| Carmel Torenius | Councillor | Independent |
Following Kerry Vincent’s Election to the Tasmanian Legislative Council in May 2024, Charles Wooley has been Acting Mayor of Sorell, until a by-election is conducted.[7]
Suburbs
| Suburb | Census population 2021 | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Shark Point | Included in Penna | |
| Midway Point | 3384 | |
| Penna | 437 | |
| Sorell | 3597 | |
| Forcett | 1102 | |
| Lewisham | 799 | |
| Dodges Ferry | 2646 | |
| Carlton | 1363 | |
| Primrose Sands | 1209 | |
| Carlton River | 347 | |
| Connellys Marsh | 40 | |
| Dunalley | 333 | |
| Boomey Bay | 117 | |
| Marion Bay | 56 | |
| Bream Creek | 126 | |
| Nugent | 117 | |
| Wattle Hill | 176 | |
| Pawleena | 112 | |
| Orielton | 430 | |
| Copping | 200 | |
| Kellevie | 185 | |
| Total | 16,776 | |
| (42) | Variance | |
| Local government total | 16,734[10] | Gazetted Sorell Council local government area |