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When did Victoria become a separate colony from New South Wales?
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Melbourne
Aerial view of Melbourne's central business district, with Princes Bridge and Flinders Street train station in the foreground.
Victoria became a separate colony from New South Wales on July 1, 1851.1
This separation was enacted through the Australian Colonies Government Act, a piece of legislation passed by the British House of Commons. The act was a response to the demands of settlers in the Port Phillip District, who were dissatisfied with their limited representation in the New South Wales Legislative Council and resented having their local revenues directed toward the New South Wales area. Upon its separation, the new colony of Victoria was established with its own Legislative Council.123