NSW · Riverina · Local council, made simple
Bland Shire Council
The council for West Wyalong — Bland Shire covers about 5,450 people across 8,558 km² of the northern Riverina, from West Wyalong and Wyalong at the junction of the Newell and Mid Western Highways out to Ungarie, Weethalle, Barmedman, Tallimba, Mirrool and Naradhan. Its economy runs on broadacre cropping and grazing, gold mining at Cowal near Lake Cowal, transport and wholesale distribution. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, water and sewer, roads, parks, the library and 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: 3.6%
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
7 of 9 OLG benchmarks met (2023-24)
Open →Crime & safetyBland's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
9 of 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Brian Monaghan
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) 6972 2266
Open →Area profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~5,454 (2023-24)
Open →What's happening
5 updatesRecent items from Bland Shire Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Waste
Free Tip Days on 12 and 13 September 2026
Council has announced Free Tip Days on 12-13 September 2026, when residents and ratepayers can dispose of one free ute or trailer load of domestic waste at participating Bland Shire landfills. Conditions apply and some items are excluded.
What this means for you: Bland has no kerbside bulky-waste collection, so these periodic free days are the main no-cost route for a household clean-out. Check the event page for the participating landfills, their opening times and the excluded items before you load up.
- Event
Refurbished Dakota DC-3 reopens in West Wyalong's Lions Park
The historic Dakota DC-3 in Lions Park officially reopened following a major refurbishment, with a community gathering in West Wyalong on Saturday 15 August 2026.
What this means for you: The DC-3 is back open at Lions Park. Council's 2026-27 budget also funds beautification of the adjacent area at the entrance to West Wyalong.
Source: Bland Shire Council — Dakota DC-3 officially reopens in West Wyalong
- Policy
Council adopts its 2026-27 Operational Plan, Budget, Revenue Policy and Fees and Charges
Bland Shire Council adopted its 2026-27 Operational Plan, Budget, Revenue Policy and Schedule of Fees and Charges at its July 2026 Ordinary Meeting. The budget includes almost $14 million for road renewals and funds projects including the Ungarie Showground dam enlargement, a playground refurbishment programme and works at Holland Park Pool.
What this means for you: The adopted Revenue Policy and Fees and Charges are what set your rates instalments, domestic waste charge and Council's fees for the year. The documents are in effect now — the Operational Plan is on Council's Integrated Planning and Reporting page.
Source: Bland Shire Council — Council adopts 2026-27 Operational Plan and Budget
- Development
Council and Evolution Cowal sign a new Voluntary Planning Agreement
Council and Evolution Mining's Cowal Gold Operations signed a new Voluntary Planning Agreement on 1 July 2026. Evolution Cowal's annual contributions to the Bland Shire total $710,000, covering the Community Infrastructure Investment Fund, community enhancement initiatives and road maintenance, alongside a new Roads Deed of Agreement.
What this means for you: This is a funding arrangement between Council and a local employer, not a change to any service you use directly. It sets out where money for community infrastructure and for maintaining mining-affected roads comes from over the agreement's term.
Source: Bland Shire Council — Council and Evolution Cowal cement long-term partnership
- Have your say
Draft review of the Bland Local Environmental Plan 2011 went on public exhibition
Council placed the Draft Review of the Bland LEP 2011 Issues Paper and Scoping Report on public exhibition, inviting submissions until 5.00pm on Thursday 25 June 2026.
What this means for you: The Local Environmental Plan is the document that sets what can be built where across the shire — zoning, minimum lot sizes and permitted uses. The exhibition period has closed; watch Council's Documents on Public Exhibition page for the next stage of the review.
Source: Bland Shire Council — Community urged to have their say on Bland LEP review
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Bland Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.