VIC · Melbourne — western suburbs · Local council, made simple
Brimbank City Council
A council in Melbourne's west, home to about 198,000 people across Sunshine, St Albans, Deer Park, Keilor, Taylors Lakes and nearby suburbs. The council runs your bins, local roads and footpaths, parks, libraries and planning, and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, followed by what 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 your bill is worked out, and when it's due.
2026–27: average rates +2.75% (state cap)
Open →Budget & financesBrimbank's financial indicators, each shown next to the Victorian median.
Average rate per property: $1,847 (Vic median $1,937)
Open →Crime & safetyBrimbank's recorded offence rates, side by side with the Victorian rate.
4 of 11 offence rates below the Victorian rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsYour ward councillor, the Mayor, and how to contact them.
Mayor: Cr Virginia Tachos (2025–26)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, how Brimbank's wards vote, and the 2024 results.
Next election: Sat 28 Oct 2028 (by post)
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council: phone, counter hours and address.
Phone: (03) 9249 4000
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: 198,181 (ABS, June 2025)
Open →What's happening
6 updatesRecent items from Brimbank City Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Development
Upgraded Sydenham Basin Reserve dog off-leash area opens
The upgraded dog off-leash area at Sydenham Basin Reserve is open, with play equipment, accessible paths, shelters, seating and drinking fountains.
What this means for you: A new place to exercise dogs in Sydenham. The council's release has the details.
- Policy
Updated Financial Hardship Policy adopted
The council has adopted an updated Financial Hardship Policy for ratepayers and customers in financial difficulty. It follows new Victorian Government Ministerial Guidelines issued in late 2025.
What this means for you: If you're struggling to pay your rates, the council's hardship page has the application forms and payment plan options.
Source: Brimbank News
- Policy
Council adopts its first Life Stages Framework
The council has adopted a Life Stages Framework to plan services around people's needs at each stage of life. A three-year implementation plan is to follow.
What this means for you: A planning framework for council services; the council's release links to the document.
- Development
Council responds to State Government's Taylors Road commitment
The Mayor welcomed the Victorian Government's $170 million commitment to declare and duplicate Taylors Road between Kings Road and Kurung Drive if it wins the November 2026 State Election, and asked other parties to match it. The council's Fix Taylors Road petition has more than 1,700 signatures, it says.
What this means for you: This is an election commitment, not a funded project. The council's release sets out its position.
- Policy
Annual Action Plan and Budget 2026/2027 adopted
The council adopted its 2026/2027 Annual Action Plan and Budget at the June 2026 Council Meeting. Average rates rise by the 2.75% cap, and capital works total $72.48 million.
What this means for you: Your 2026–27 rates notice reflects this budget. See Rates & fees for the charges.
Source: Brimbank City Council — Annual Action Plan and Budget
- Election
Cr Virginia Tachos elected Mayor for 2025–26
At the Council Meeting on 25 November 2025, the councillors elected Cr Virginia Tachos (Horseshoe Bend Ward) as Mayor for 12 months and Cr Maria Kerr (Copernicus Ward) as Deputy Mayor.
What this means for you: The councillors choose the Mayor each year. The next mayoral election is on 24 November 2026.
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Brimbank City Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.