What the council is working on
Recent deliveries, what's underway now, and what's planned next — drawn from the council's own plans, budgets and project pages. We report what the council has publicly said it's doing; every item links to its source.
The council's stated direction
Bland Shire's direction is set out in its 2025-2035 Community Strategic Plan, a 2025-2029 Delivery Program and an annual Operational Plan and budget, organised around five community themes — Place, Growth, Family, People and Home. The 2026-27 plan is weighted towards road renewals, water, sewer and stormwater planning, and a review of waste and recycling options.
The council manages local roads, water and sewer, waste, parks, libraries, children's services, aged care and planning across a shire of more than 8,500 km² with about 5,450 residents, centred on West Wyalong. Its 2026-27 Operational Plan contains 155 actions grouped under five themes: Place (infrastructure, accessibility and community culture), Growth (governance, economy and resilience), Family (community services, health and resilience), People (leadership, education and engagement) and Home (liveability, environment and safety).
The adopted 2026-27 budget includes almost $14 million for road renewals — including resealing on Dundas Road and Clear Ridge Road and shoulder widening and rehabilitation between Rankins Springs and Naradhan — and a planned deficit of $14.1 million, which Council describes as aligned with its long-term financial strategy and representing investment in infrastructure, asset maintenance and service improvement. Council's audited 2024-25 statements report a net operating result of $10.5 million and $12.0 million of asset renewals for the year.
Underway now
2026-27 roads programme and community infrastructure
2026-27 financial yearThe adopted 2026-27 Operational Plan and Budget allocates almost $14 million to road renewals, with resealing on Dundas Road and Clear Ridge Road and shoulder widening and rehabilitation between Rankins Springs and Naradhan going to tender. Other funded works include the Ungarie Showground dam enlargement, a playground refurbishment programme, a new scoreboard at Ron Crowe Oval, children's pool and diving board works at Holland Park Pool, and beautification at the DC-3 site at the entrance to West Wyalong.
Source: Bland Shire Council — Council adopts 2026-27 Operational Plan and Budget
Waste Management Strategy and recycling options review
2026-27 Operational Plan actionsUnder the Home theme, Council has committed to implementing its Waste Management Strategy and to investigating, reviewing and monitoring viable recycling options in liaison with recycling organisations — assessing service efficiency, resource recovery, landfill operations, environmental impacts, cost implications and NSW EPA compliance. Bland currently has no kerbside recycling or organics bin; Council states a kerbside recycling service is presently unviable.
Source: Bland Shire Council — Operational Plan 2026-2027 (Home theme, actions Ho3.2 and Ho3.4)
Recently delivered
Voluntary Planning Agreement with Evolution Mining's Cowal Gold Operations
Signed 1 July 2026Council and Evolution Mining's Cowal Gold Operations signed a new Voluntary Planning Agreement, following Council's endorsement of the draft agreement earlier in 2026. Under the agreement, Evolution Cowal's annual contributions to the Bland Shire total $710,000, directed to the Community Infrastructure Investment Fund, community enhancement initiatives and road maintenance. The signing also included a new Roads Deed of Agreement covering the local road network affected by mining-related traffic.
Source: Bland Shire Council — Council and Evolution Cowal cement long-term partnership
Dakota DC-3 refurbishment, Lions Park, West Wyalong
Reopened 15 August 2026The historic Dakota DC-3 in Lions Park reopened after a major refurbishment project, with a community event in West Wyalong on Saturday 15 August 2026. The 2026-27 budget also funds beautification of the area adjacent to the DC-3 at the entrance to West Wyalong.
Source: Bland Shire Council — Dakota DC-3 officially reopens in West Wyalong