ancestry as Chinese was in excess of four times the state and national averages; and the proportion of households where an Asian language was spoken at home was approximately five times higher than the national average. Council Current composition and election method Willoughby City Council is composed of thirteen councillors, including the mayor, for a fixed four-year term of office. The Mayor is directly elected while the twelve other councillors are elected proportionally as four separate wards, each electing three councillors. The most recent Council election was held on 4 December 2021. The current Council is: History Aboriginal culture As of January 2022, Willoughby Council has announced that Talus Street Reserve, on Gammeraygal land in the suburb of Naremburn would be handed back to the Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC). The precinct includes a creek, bushland, walking tracks, picnic tables and parking areas. Nathan Moran, CEO of the Metropolitan LALC told NITV News that the hand back represents the realisation of Aboriginal Land Rights. "Returning crown land is recompense for loss of all freehold, leasehold and or state-owned and used land as well for not getting royalties for mining," he said. Willoughby Mayor, Tanya Taylor, described the reserve as "beautiful land" and emphasised the Council’s resounding support for the decision. "Council acknowledges the rich Indigenous history of the Gammeraygal people in the area. The transfer will embed this significant indigenous heritage, drive cultural and social outcomes as it affirms Aboriginal Land Rights and supports reconciliation", Mayor Taylor said. European settlement In May 1865, 67 residents of the rural District of Willoughby sent a petition to the Governor Sir John Young, requesting the incorporation of the Municipality of North Willoughby. This resulted in the Municipality of North Willoughby being formally proclaimed on 23 October 1865. The council first met to elect six Councillors and two Auditors on 16 December 1865, in the house of James Harris French and the first Chairman, James William Bligh, was elected on 1 January 1866. There were no wards until 1876 when the council was divided into three wards: Chatsworth Ward to the north, Middle Harbour Ward to the east and Lane Cove Ward to the west. Lane Cove Ward became the separate Municipality of Lane Cove on 11 February 1895 and Middle Harbour Ward was divided into Middle Harbour and Naremburn wards. With the passing of the Municipalities Act, 1867, the name was changed to