NSW · Murray / Riverina · Local council, made simple
Balranald Shire Council
One of the largest local government areas in NSW by land and one of the smallest by population — about 2,200 people across 21,690 km² of far south-west NSW, where the Murrumbidgee meets the Murray and the Sturt Highway runs through. Two towns: Balranald, the council seat, and Euston on the Murray opposite Robinvale in Victoria. Agriculture, horticulture, mineral sands, solar and park tourism (Yanga National Park, and part of Mungo National Park in the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area). An elected council returned here in September 2024 after more than four and a half years under a state-appointed Administrator. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, water, sewer, roads, parks, development — and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, then the stuff that affects 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 rise, how it compares across NSW, and why bills differ.
2026–27 rate peg: 4.6%
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
6 of 9 OLG benchmarks met (2023–24)
Open →Crime & safetyWhat BOCSAR records for Balranald — the incident counts, and why no rate is published.
72 recorded incidents across 12 major offences (year to March 2026)
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Cr Louie Zaffina
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, and how voting works.
Next election: Sat 9 Sep 2028
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council and report a problem.
Customer service: 03 5020 1300
Open →Area profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~2,219 (2023–24)
Open →What's happening
3 updatesRecent items from Balranald Shire Council's public channels, in plain language.
We check Balranald Shire Council's website every day, but we can't read it. It refuses requests from our collector, so anything below was recorded by hand and may be out of date. This says nothing about what the council has published — these are the pages we watch:
- Policy
Minister confirms Performance Improvement Orders will be closed
Balranald Shire Council announced that the NSW Minister for Local Government has confirmed the Performance Improvement Orders applying to the council will be closed, following the council's fourth and final compliance report in September 2025 and a further update in January 2026. The decision covers the 2024 Order and outstanding actions from an earlier 2017 Order.
What this means for you: This is a change in the council's formal standing with the state government rather than a change to any service you use. Balranald has been under some form of state oversight or administration since 2019; with the Orders closed, the elected council is no longer working to a state-imposed improvement program. The council itself framed it as a governance reset rather than the end of its financial and infrastructure pressures.
Source: Balranald Shire Council — Media Release: lifting of the Performance Improvement Orders
- Policy
Upgraded Euston Recreation Reserve officially opened
The council opened the upgraded Euston Recreation Reserve, delivered through three grant programs totalling more than $1.6 million — LRCI Round 3 ($250,000, multicourt and shade shelter), Stronger Country Communities Fund Round 4 ($527,626, netball change rooms and LED lighting) and LRCI Round 4 ($832,921, full football-oval refurbishment including new turf, irrigation, fencing, lighting and a scoreboard).
What this means for you: For Euston residents the reserve is open for community use with new sport and recreation facilities. The upgrade was recommended as a priority by the Euston Progressive Advisory Committee in 2023, so it is an example of how the council's local advisory committees feed into what gets funded.
Source: Balranald Shire Council — Media Release: Euston Recreation Reserve Opening
- Policy
Australian Government funding confirmed for Benanee Road upgrade at Euston
The council confirmed Australian Government funding under the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program to upgrade and seal approximately 15 kilometres of Benanee Road at Euston, including new subbase and base pavement, a bitumen seal and edge line marking. The council described the amount as multi-million-dollar but did not publish a figure.
What this means for you: Benanee Road carries school buses, farm traffic and freight. Sealing it is intended to give all-weather access and cut dust and maintenance. Works had not started when the council announced the funding — it said final planning and delivery arrangements were still being worked through, with updates to follow.
Source: Balranald Shire Council — Media Release: Major Funding Boost for Benanee Road Upgrade at Euston
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We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Balranald Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.