VIC · North East Victoria — Alpine (Bright, Myrtleford, Mount Beauty) · Local council, made simple
Alpine Shire Council
About 13,200 people live in Alpine Shire, in North East Victoria — Bright, Myrtleford, Mount Beauty and smaller towns across 4,788 km², most of it national park and other public land. Seven councillors are elected by the whole Shire, and they choose the Mayor. The council runs your bins, local roads, parks, libraries and planning, and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, then the things that affect your week.
Everyday essentials
The things people actually need from the council — fast.
Get to know your council
The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.
This year's rate cap, how your bill is worked out, due dates and help paying.
2026–27: rates set below the 2.75% cap, plus a one-off credit for 2025–26
Open →Budget & financesThe council's standard financial measures, each next to the Victorian median.
Average rate per property: $1,945 (Vic median $1,937), 2024–25
Open →Crime & safetyOffences recorded in the Shire by Victoria Police, next to the Victorian rate.
Offences recorded, year to June 2026
Open →Mayor & councillorsYour seven councillors, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, and how they are chosen.
Mayor: Cr Sarah Nicholas (elected 16 Dec 2025)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, how the Shire votes, and the 2024 result.
Next election: Sat 28 Oct 2028 (by post)
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council and report a problem.
Phone: 03 5755 0555
Open →Area profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is, which towns it covers.
Population: 13,236 (2025)
Open →What's happening
6 updatesRecent items from Alpine Shire Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Development
120-dwelling development at 1 Toorak Road, Bright, to proceed
An amended application for 120 dwellings at 1 Toorak Road, Bright, will proceed after changes made during a VCAT review. The council had refused the original application over sewerage capacity, traffic, bushfire safety and amenity concerns; it says the amended plans met the requirements of the relevant authorities and the state's Townhouse and Low-Rise Code, leaving it without grounds to defend the refusal.
What this means for you: The council says its role is set by state planning law and that it will keep advocating for outcomes that balance housing needs with township character. Planning Victoria's website explains the Townhouse and Low-Rise Code.
Source: Alpine Shire Council — Toorak Road development approved under State Government planning framework
- Have your say
Have your say on the draft Customer Charter
The council is seeking feedback on a draft Customer Charter setting out the service standards customers can expect, including response times for enquiries, requests and feedback.
What this means for you: Comment online on Engage Alpine, or in person at the Alpine libraries and the Customer Service Centre in Bright, until Wednesday 7 October 2026.
- Council meeting
August council meeting: road safety strategy, sporting reserves policy, childcare petition
On 25 August 2026 the council adopted the Back Porepunkah Road Safety Strategy and the Sporting Reserves Maintenance Support Policy 2026, released a draft policy on filming on council land for comment, responded to a petition on childcare services, and approved a 15-lot subdivision with 12 dwellings at Delany Avenue, Bright.
What this means for you: Agendas, minutes and recordings are on the council's meetings page and YouTube channel.
Source: Alpine Shire Council — August Ordinary Council Meeting outcomes
- Event
$154,000 for 40 community events in 2026–27
The council's 2026–27 Events Funding Program will support 40 events from 52 applications, with $10,000 each for the Bright Autumn Festival, La Fiera Italian Festival, Myrtleford Show, Tour of Bright and Wandiligong Nut Festival.
What this means for you: The full list of funded events and amounts is in the council's announcement.
Source: Alpine Shire Council — Alpine Shire invests $154,000 across 40 community events
- Policy
2026–27 Budget adopted, with a credit for the 2025–26 rate-cap overcharge
The council adopted its 2026–27 Budget on 30 June 2026, with a $14.14 million capital works program. Rates are set below the 2.75% cap to correct the 2025–26 rise that the Essential Services Commission found exceeded that year's cap, and $168,713 is returned to ratepayers as a one-off credit.
What this means for you: The first rates instalment is due 30 September. The council has no borrowings and levies no municipal charge.
- Council meeting
Cr Sarah Nicholas elected Mayor
At its 16 December 2025 meeting the council elected Cr Sarah Nicholas as Mayor, unopposed, for the rest of the 2025–26 term, and Cr Gareth Graham as Deputy Mayor. Cr Graham had been elected Mayor on 25 November 2025 and resigned from that office on 5 December 2025.
What this means for you: Victorian mayors are elected by the councillors, not by voters. The mayoral term is one year.
Source: Alpine Shire Council — Ordinary Council Meeting minutes, 16 December 2025
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We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Alpine Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.