Great Lakes Council

Great Lakes Council
Location in New South Wales
Coordinates: 32°13′S 152°32′E / 32.217°S 152.533°E / -32.217; 152.533
CountryAustralia
StateNew South Wales
RegionHunter, Mid North Coast
Established7 March 1906
Abolished12 May 2016 (2016-05-12)
Council seatForster
Government
 • MayorJan McWilliams
 • State electorates
 • Federal division
Area
 • Total
3,376 km2 (1,303 sq mi)
Population
 • Total34,430 (2011 census)
 • Density10.1985/km2 (26.414/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+10 (AEST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+11 (AEDT)
WebsiteGreat Lakes Council
LGAs around Great Lakes Council
Gloucester Greater Taree Greater Taree
Dungog Great Lakes Council Tasman Sea
Port Stephens Port Stephens Tasman Sea

Great Lakes Council (trading as Great Lakes Shire) was a local government area in the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales, Australia. The area is situated adjacent to the shores of Port Stephens, Myall Lakes and Wallis Lake and the Pacific Highway and the Lakes Way. On 12 May 2016 the council was dissolved and the area included in the Mid-Coast Council, along with the City of Greater Taree and Gloucester Shire. From 7 March 1906 to 25 September 1971 it was known as Stroud Shire.

The Great Lakes area is home to the globally significant, Ramsar Convention listed Myall Lakes wetlands. These wetlands are an important foundation for the economies of the former suburbs of the Great Lakes Council local government area, particularly the recreational fisheries and tourism sectors.