VIC · North East Victoria — Benalla · Local council, made simple
Benalla Rural City Council
Benalla Rural City Council covers about 2,350 km² of North East Victoria and is home to about 14,600 people, most of them in the town of Benalla, with farming localities around it. Seven councillors, elected across the whole council, choose the Mayor each year. The council runs your bins, local roads and footpaths, parks and planning, and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, followed by what 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 your bill is worked out, and when it's due.
2026–27: average rate rise 2.75% (the state cap); municipal charge $294
Open →Budget & financesBenalla's financial indicators, each shown next to the Victorian median.
Average rate per property: $2,119 (Vic median $1,937)
Open →Crime & safetyOffences recorded in Benalla Rural City by Victoria Police, next to the Victorian rate.
Offences recorded, year to June 2026
Open →Mayor & councillorsYour seven councillors, the Mayor, and how to contact them.
Mayor: Cr Bernie Hearn (re-elected Nov 2025)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, and the 2024 results.
Next council election: Saturday 28 October 2028
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council: phone, email, office and hours.
Phone: 03 5760 2600 (24 hours)
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: 14,581 (ABS, June 2025)
Open →What's happening
5 updatesRecent items from Benalla Rural City Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Policy
Council calls for improvements at the redeveloped Benalla Station
The council is asking ARTC and Inland Rail to address concerns about accessibility, walking and cycling links, access roads damaged during construction, drainage, landscaping and temporary parking at the redeveloped railway station precinct, and to explain the assessments behind the final design.
What this means for you: This is the council's advocacy position; the station works are run by ARTC and Inland Rail, not the council.
- Policy
Climate and Environment Strategy 2026–2030 adopted
Adopted on 9 September 2026, the strategy replaces two earlier strategies and covers five focus areas, including an aspiration to reach net zero emissions by 2040/41. It creates a Community Resilience Officer role. More than 90 people attended workshops and 96 survey submissions were received.
What this means for you: The council says actions will be reviewed each year alongside the budget.
- Policy
Council calls for state action on the Midland Highway and Bridge Street
The council is calling on the Victorian Government to repair state-managed roads in the municipality, naming the Hume Freeway, the Midland Highway, Bridge Street in the CBD, and the Benalla–Tocumwal and Benalla–Yarrawonga roads, and cites a new Victorian Auditor-General's report on state road maintenance.
What this means for you: These roads are the Department of Transport and Planning's responsibility; report hazards on them to VicRoads (13 11 70 for urgent hazards).
- Development
Waller Street roadworks, 21 September to 2 October
Pavement rehabilitation on Waller Street between Clarke Street and Mansfield Road, including the Clarke Street intersection, funded by the Australian Government's Roads to Recovery program. Expect lane closures, a 40 km/h limit in the work zone and possible detours.
What this means for you: Allow extra travel time; kerbside bin collection in the area may be temporarily affected.
- Development
Churchill Recreation Reserve confirmed for the Multisport Stadium
At its 9 September meeting the council confirmed Churchill Recreation Reserve as the site of the new Benalla Multisport Stadium and signed a funding agreement for $15 million from the Victorian Government. Construction is expected to start by mid-2027.
What this means for you: Detailed design is underway; the council says it will post updates on its Have Your Say page.
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Benalla Rural City Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.