NSW · Central Tablelands · Local council, made simple
Blayney Shire Council
The self-described "Village Shire" of the NSW Central Tablelands — about 7,800 people across Blayney, Millthorpe, Carcoar, Lyndhurst, Mandurama, Neville, Newbridge and Barry, on gently undulating grazing and cropping country between Bathurst, Orange and Cowra. Seven councillors elected at large, an IPART-approved special rate variation in its final year, and a FOGO bin due with the next waste contract in 2028. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, sewer, roads, parks, 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 is the final year of an approved 10% special variation
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
6 of 9 OLG benchmarks met (2023–24)
Open →Crime & safetyBlayney's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
11 of 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Bruce Reynolds (Independent)
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) 6368 2104
Open →Area profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~7,767 (2023–24)
Open →What's happening
4 updatesRecent items from Blayney Shire Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Policy
Council adopts its 2026/27 Delivery Program and Operational Plan
Blayney Shire Council adopted the Delivery Program 2026/27–2029/30 and Operational Plan 2026/27 on 16 June 2026. The budget carries a consolidated operating deficit of $2.078M and a $10.555M capital budget, and includes the final year of the approved 10% special rate variation.
What this means for you: This is the document that sets what Council will spend and deliver in 2026/27, and the rates and charges you'll be billed. It also sets out Council's own view of its financial position — including higher waste-landfill compliance costs, fuel price rises, and uncertainty about the McPhillamys Gold Project — and flags that further action could include a service review or a future special variation.
Source: Blayney Shire Council — Delivery Program 2026/27–2029/30 & Operational Plan 2026/27
- Policy
Fully funded battery energy storage system announced for CentrePoint
Council announced a $996,182 battery energy storage system (1000kWh / 500kW) at the CentrePoint Sport and Leisure Centre, funded entirely from external sources — $500,000 from Newmont Cadia's Community Partnership Program and $496,000 from the Australian Government's Community Energy Upgrades Fund.
What this means for you: No Council contribution is required. CentrePoint's electricity bill is currently around $150,000 a year and Council conservatively estimates about $100,000 a year in savings. Because CentrePoint is a recognised regional emergency facility, the battery is also intended to keep backup power available during disasters.
Source: Blayney Shire Council — media release, 2 December 2025
- Policy
Former Mayor Scott Ferguson receives LGNSW Lifetime Achievement Award
Council announced that former Mayor Scott Ferguson had been awarded the Local Government NSW Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising more than 25 years as a councillor, including 12 years as Mayor, and involvement in health, youth, sport, employment and regional collaboration across the shire.
What this means for you: This is a statewide recognition of an individual rather than a change to any Council service. Cr Bruce Reynolds has been Mayor since the September 2024 election.
Source: Blayney Shire Council — Former Mayor Scott Ferguson honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award
- Waste
Council endorses waste service options for tender, with FOGO from 2028
At its meeting on 21 July 2025 Council noted the results of the 2025 Waste Services survey and endorsed including three red-bin collection options in the tender for the next kerbside contract: weekly, fortnightly, or fortnightly with a clause allowing a review after 12 months. Council has an NSW EPA grant to support a FOGO rollout.
What this means for you: Blayney's kerbside service is unchanged for now — red bin weekly, yellow bin fortnightly, no green bin. The published timeline has a new waste, recycling and FOGO collection service starting in April 2028, with the preferred red-bin model decided in late 2026 or early 2027. That decision is the one worth watching if bin frequency matters to your household.
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Blayney Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.