NSW · Mid North Coast · Local council, made simple
Bellingen Shire Council
A Mid North Coast council of around 13,300 people across the arts and river town of Bellingen, the coastal village of Urunga, and the mountain town of Dorrigo — linked by the tourist route Waterfall Way, which climbs to the World Heritage-listed Dorrigo National Park rainforest. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, roads, planning, parks — 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.
Open for your feedback
See all →Things Bellingen Shire Council wants your say on right now. Your view counts for more before the deadline.
- Closes in 4 days
2027 Community Awards Nominations
Have your say → - Closes in 14 days
Public Exhibition: Draft Fee - Urunga Boardwalk Plaque Installation
Have your say → - Closes in 14 days
Have Your Say: Draft Unreasonable Conduct by Complainants Policy
Have your say →
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.
2025–26 rate peg: 4.2%
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Average residential rate ~32% above the NSW average
Open →Crime & safetyBellingen's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
9 of 12 major offences above the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Steve Allan (Waterfall Way Independents)
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: (02) 6655 7300
Open →Area profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~13,278 (2024)
Open →What's happening
11 updatesAuto-collected from Bellingen Shire Council's public channels and drafted in plain language (pending review).
- Have your say
Public Exhibition: Draft Fee - Urunga Boardwalk Plaque Installation
Submissions closing on 19 November 2026, 05:00 PM At its Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday 21 October 2026, Bellingen Shire Council resolved to place the draft fee for installation of memorial plaques on the Urunga Boardwalk on public exhibition. The report outlines the plan for reinstatement of existing plaques and the process for installation of new plaques.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Have Your Say: Draft Unreasonable Conduct by Complainants Policy
Submissions closing on 19 November 2026, 04:30 PM Bellingen Shire Council invites you to review and comment on its draft Unreasonable Conduct by a Complainant Policy. The draft is on public exhibition from 22 October 2026 to 19 November 2026.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
2027 Community Awards Nominations
Submissions closing on 09 November 2026, 04:00 PM Submit a nomination today and celebrate someone you think is deserving in our community.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
EOI Local Businesses and Suppliers Urunga CBD Upgrade
Ongoing consultation As part of the Urunga CBD Upgrade Project Council is seeking to identify opportunities to involve local businesses, suppliers, trades, artists and service providers early in the project – to help inform the project design.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Bellingen Shire Eco Destination Certification
Bellingen Shire is working towards becoming an internationally recognised, certified ECO Destination with Ecotourism Australia. But what does it mean to become an ECO Destination?
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Public Exhibition Draft No Spray Policy
Submissions closing on 18 September 2026, 05:00 PM The draft no spray policy outlines guidelines for the management and administration of a ‘No Spray Register’, allowing property owners and residents to request that vege
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Visitor Information Centre Volunteer -Expression of Interest
We're seeking enthusiastic individuals to join our team as a Visitor Information Centre Volunteer at the Waterfall Way Visitor Information Centre in the heart of Bellingen.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Expression of Interest: Bowerhouse Library of Things
Submissions closing on 30 September 2026, 04:00 PM What if you could borrow the things you only need occasionally, instead of buying them? We're establishing The Bowerhouse Library of Things at Raleigh Waste Management Centre.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
$30 million to upgrade Bellingen's Waterfall Way detour roads
The NSW Government committed $30 million to upgrade Summervilles and Gordonville roads — the routes used as detours during the Waterfall Way closure — covering widening, resurfacing, drainage, bridge replacement and sealing an unsealed section, delivered with Bellingen Shire Council.
What this means for you: Residents and freight/agricultural traffic using these roads as an alternative to Waterfall Way should expect construction activity over the life of the project, with the aim of making these routes safer and more resilient long-term detours.
Source: NSW Government — Major $30 million upgrade to future-proof critical Bellingen roads
- Policy
Waterfall Way landslip closes key Bellingen–Dorrigo route
A landslip at Gordonville Cutting on 19 January 2026, triggered by severe rainfall, deposited over 250 tonnes of rock and debris onto Waterfall Way, closing the route between Bellingen and Dorrigo. The NSW Government restored controlled one-lane access within about six weeks while planning permanent stabilisation works.
What this means for you: If you travel between Bellingen and Dorrigo, expect ongoing traffic controls (temporary lights, 40 km/h limit, width restrictions) at Gordonville Cutting while remediation continues, and possible short-notice closures during heavy rain. Detours via Summervilles and Gordonville roads are being upgraded separately.
Source: NSW Government — Safe access to Waterfall Way to be restored following 250 tonne landslip
- Election
Linda Coomber joins Council as newest councillor via countback
Following the resignation of Cr Eleanor Tree, the NSW Electoral Commission ran a countback election and declared Linda Coomber elected as Bellingen Shire's newest councillor on 11 June 2025, filling the vacancy from the Waterfall Way Independents group's own 2024 ticket.
What this means for you: The council's makeup can change between elections through casual vacancies and countbacks like this one — the council's official councillors page has the current list of who holds office.
Source: Bellingen Shire Council — New Councillor Appointed to Bellingen Shire Council
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Bellingen Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.