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.
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
4 updatesRecent items from Berrigan Shire Council's public channels, in plain language.
- 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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We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Berrigan Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.