NSW · Murray / Riverina · Local council, made simple
Berrigan Shire Council
A southern Riverina council on the Murray River at the Victorian border — about 8,700 people across Berrigan, Finley, Tocumwal and Barooga, on an economy of irrigated cropping, dairying and grazing plus river tourism and golf. Living here means crossing the border routinely: Barooga shares a Victorian postcode with Cobram, and the council's own phone number starts with (03). The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, water, roads, parks, libraries, pools, the Tocumwal Aerodrome, 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.
Open for your feedback
See all →Things Berrigan Shire Council wants your say on right now. Your view counts for more before the deadline.
- Open — see source for the closing date
Draft Local Policy & Order - Public Exhibition
Have your say → - Open — see source for the closing date
Click here for(PDF, 3MB)
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.
2026–27 rate peg: 2.8%
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
7 of 9 OLG benchmarks met (2023–24)
Open →Crime & safetyBerrigan's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
8 of 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Dr Julia Cornwell McKean
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) 5888 5100
Open →Area profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~8,666 (2023–24)
Open →What's happening
26 updatesAuto-collected from Berrigan Shire Council's public channels and drafted in plain language (pending review).
- Policy
LOCAL BUSINESSES SECURE NEARLY $3M FOR GROWTH AND JOBS
Published on 27 October 2026 Berrigan Shire Council has welcomed the announcement that two local food manufacturing businesses, Sun Valley Australia Pty Ltd and MON Natural Foods Pty Ltd, have secured funding through the Australian Government’s Sustainable Communities Program, supporting business growth, local employment and long-term economic development across the Shire.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Election
October 2026 Mayor's Message
Published on 28 October 2026 Read the October 2026 Mayor's Message here.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Election
BERRIGAN SHIRE MAYOR JULIA APPOINTED TO REGIONAL HEALTH ADVISORY PANEL
Published on 20 October 2026 BERRIGAN SHIRE MAYOR CR JULIA CORNWELL MCKEAN APPOINTED TO THE REGIONAL HEALTH MINISTERIAL ADVISORY PANEL Tagged as: , Announcements
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Election
September 2026 Mayor's Message
Published on 23 September 2026 Read the September 2026 Mayor's Message here Tagged as: , Mayor's Message
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Submissions on Planning Matters Register(PDF, 139KB)
Submissions on Planning Matters Register(PDF, 139KB)
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Berrigan Shire Council — Development Application Register
- Election
2026 MAYOR AND DEPUTY MAYOR ELECTION
Published on 17 September 2026 At the Extraordinary Council Meeting, held on Wednesday 16 September 2026, Berrigan Shire Councillors have re-elected Cr Julia Cornwell McKean as Mayor and elected Cr Catherine Healy as Deputy Mayor.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Event
Author Talk - Berrigan - Isabel Baker
24 Sep 2026 Join us at Berrigan Library during Dementia Action Week for a special author visit with Isabel Baker, author of A to Z of Dementia Care.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Berrigan Shire Council cautiously welcomes MDBA "What We Heard" report
Published on 25 June 2026 The MDBA "What We Heard" report has been welcomed by Berrigan Shire Council, albeit with the qualification that this is only the next part of the beginning of the process, not the finished product.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Draft Local Policy & Order - Public Exhibition
The Council has adopted for public exhibition for 28-days and comments it's Draft Local Policy and Order.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Click here for(PDF, 3MB)
Click here for(PDF, 3MB)
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Election
Mayor's Message - July 2026
Published on 22 July 2026 Read the July Mayor's Message here!
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Event
School Holiday Program - Berrigan Library
08 Oct 2026 School Holiday craft sessions- Thursday 1st October - Mythical Paper Fidgets Thursday 7th October - Treasure Boxes Berrigan Library, 52/54 Chanter St, Berrigan 2712 Tagged as: , Kids & family
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Council meeting
MAYOR JULIA REFLECTS ON DINNER WITH THE PRIME MINISTER AND CMA MEETING
Published on 02 September 2026 Berrigan Shire Mayor, Dr Julia Cornwell McKean and Chief Executive Officer, Cameron Boardman attended the Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) Dinner in Sydney on the evening of Thursday, 27 August, where Australia’s Prime Minister, the Hon. Anthony Albanese MP, delivered the keynote address to more than 150 rural, remote and regional council leaders.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Election
Mayor Julia represents RAMJO at NSW Parliamentary Inquiry
Published on 13 August 2026 Mayor Julia represented RAMJO at this morning’s NSW Parliamentary Inquiry, highlighting the urgent need for fair access to health, transport, digital and essential services across our border communities. Strong advocacy continues to ensure regional voices are heard.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Event
School Holiday Program- Tocumwal Library
08 Oct 2026 School Holiday craft sessions Thursday 1st October Mythical Paper Fidgets Thursday 8th October Treasure Boxes Tocumwal Library, 57-67 Deniliquin Street, Tocumwal 2714 Tagged as: , Kids & family
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Event
Compliance and Event Application and Checklist(PDF, 234KB)
Compliance and Event Application and Checklist(PDF, 234KB)
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Event
School Holiday Program - Barooga Library
30 Sep 2026 School Holiday craft sessions- Wednesday 23 September - Mythical Paper Fidgets Wednesday 30 September - Treasure Boxes Barooga Library, 4 Golf course Road, Barooga 3644 Tagged as: , Kids & family
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
2027 Australia Day Awards – Nominations Now Open
Published on 31 August 2026 Australia Day Awards – Nominations Now Open – Recognise Someone who makes Berrigan Shire a better place.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Event
School Holiday Program - Finley Library
07 Oct 2026 School Holiday craft sessions- Wednesday 30 September - Mythical Paper Figets Wednesday 7th October - Treasure Boxes Finley Library, 223/229 Murray St, Finley 2703 Tagged as: , Kids & family
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Election
Mayor's Message - August 2026
Published on 26 August 2026 Read the August Mayor's Message here!
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Professor Nigel Phair appointed Chairperson of ARIC
Published on 19 August 2026 Council are pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Nigel Phair to the position of Chairperson of the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC). Nigel is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, with over 25 years of executive, board, and advisory experience across the public, corporate, and not-for-profit sectors.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
HEALTH EQUITY CAN’T WAIT FOR BERRIGAN SHIRE
Published on 30 June 2026 Berrigan Shire Council has welcomed a NSW parliamentary report that puts the Shire’s urgent health needs firmly in the spotlight.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Mayor gives evidence to NSW inquiry on regional service delivery
Mayor Dr Julia Cornwell McKean represented the Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation (RAMJO) — 12 councils and more than 160,000 residents from Wentworth to Albury — at a NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into government service delivery standards in regional NSW, raising ambulance wait times, dialysis and cardiac diagnostics, digital connectivity, school infrastructure, youth services and electricity supply constraints.
What this means for you: Cross-border service delivery was a central point: Council told the inquiry that many residents rely on services located in Victoria and asked the Committee to make greater use of the Office of the Cross-Border Commissioner. It is an advocacy submission, so nothing changes immediately — but it sets out what Council is asking the state for.
Source: Berrigan Shire Council — Mayor Julia represents RAMJO at NSW Parliamentary Inquiry
- Policy
Council responds to NSW parliamentary report on local health services
Council welcomed a report by the NSW Legislative Assembly Committee on Community Services, following hearings into a proposal to split the Murrumbidgee Local Health District. Council says the report notes the absence of an ambulance station in Tocumwal, the need for faster access to stroke care, and the importance of cooperation between NSW and Victorian health services.
What this means for you: Health services are run by the NSW Government, not the council, so this is advocacy rather than a service change. Council has asked the state for an ambulance station in Tocumwal, CT scanners and Telestroke access at Tocumwal Multipurpose Service and Finley Health Service, dialysis capacity in the Shire, and work with Victoria on cardiac services closer to the border.
Source: Berrigan Shire Council — Health equity can't wait for Berrigan Shire
- Development
$1.35 million secured for Stage One of 'Future Tocumwal'
Berrigan Shire Council secured $1,354,945 under Round 2 of the Sustainable Communities Program — a joint Australian and NSW Government initiative for the southern Murray–Darling Basin — to deliver the first stage of the Future Tocumwal Town Centre Transformation adopted by Council in October 2025.
What this means for you: Stage One is the Tocumwal Town Centre Infrastructure Project: improved parking, upgraded drainage, new footpaths and streetscaping in the town centre. Council says it will keep the community updated as the works advance and is pursuing further funding for later stages.
Source: Berrigan Shire Council — $1.35 million to deliver Stage One of 'Future Tocumwal'
- Policy
Seven local businesses awarded Round 2 small business grants
Council awarded its second-round Small Business Grants to seven local businesses across tourism, agriculture, trades, health and community services. The program has a total pool of $40,000 delivered across two rounds each financial year, for businesses registered in the Shire with fewer than 10 full-time-equivalent staff and turnover under $5 million.
What this means for you: If you run a small business in the Shire, this is a recurring grant round worth watching — applications are assessed on merit, alignment with the program's objectives and the quality of the budget and quotes, with preference for projects where the applicant contributes matching funds.
Source: Berrigan Shire Council — Council awards small business grants round two
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