VIC · Loddon Campaspe — Murray · Local council, made simple
Campaspe Shire Council
Campaspe Shire Council is the council for Echuca, Kyabram, Rochester, Tongala, Rushworth and the farming towns around them on Victoria's side of the Murray River, home to about 38,000 people. Nine councillors, elected across the whole shire, choose the Mayor; Cr Daniel Mackrell was re-elected Mayor in November 2025. 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: rates within the 2.75% cap; waste charges up about 9.6%
Open →Budget & financesCampaspe's financial indicators, each shown next to the Victorian median.
Average rate per property: $2,035 (Vic median $1,937)
Open →Crime & safetyCampaspe's recorded offence rates, side by side with the Victorian rate.
6 of 11 offence rates above the Victorian rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsYour councillors, the Mayor, and how to contact them.
Mayor: Cr Daniel Mackrell (2025–2026)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, and the 2024 result.
Next council election: Sat 28 Oct 2028 (by post)
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council: phone, email, offices and hours.
Phone: 1300 666 535
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: 37,954 (ABS, June 2025)
Open →What's happening
7 updatesRecent items from Campaspe Shire Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Event
Emergency Services Expo in Echuca on Saturday 24 October
A free, family-friendly Emergency Services Expo returns to Hopwood Gardens, Echuca, on Saturday 24 October 2026 from 10am to 2pm, with demonstrations and advice on topics such as smoke alarms, sandbagging, storm preparedness and water safety.
What this means for you: The council's emergency management team will promote its First 72 Hours preparedness program at the event.
- Development
Flood Resilient Homes Guide released
At its meeting on 22 September 2026, the council noted the draft Flood Resilient Homes Guide and four supporting fact sheets, with practical ways to reduce flood damage to existing homes and to design new ones, such as wet proofing, dry proofing and raising switchboards and hot water systems. The resources are based on three typical dwelling types from Rochester.
What this means for you: Printed copies will be available at council service centres and libraries, and online on the council's website and Emergency Dashboard.
- Waste
Nearest Detox Your Home chemical drop-offs are outside the shire
The council said its bid for a Detox Your Home event in Campaspe this year was unsuccessful. The nearest free household chemical collections are in Shepparton (Saturday 3 October 2026, 9am–noon), Bendigo (Wednesday 28 October, 9am–1pm) and Seymour (Saturday 12 December, 9am–noon).
What this means for you: Household chemicals must not go in any household bin or to the resource recovery centres. Registration is through the Detox Your Home program website.
- Council meeting
Recruitment under way for a new CEO
The council has started recruiting its next Chief Executive Officer, with help from executive recruitment firm Future Leadership. It expects to consider the preferred candidate's appointment at its November 2026 meeting, subject to checks and negotiations. Craig Neimann continues as Interim CEO.
What this means for you: The council says it will give more information when the recruitment is complete.
- Council meeting
CEO Pauline Gordon resigns
The Mayor announced that Chief Executive Officer Pauline Gordon had resigned to take up a senior position with the City of Boroondara, after nearly four years at Campaspe. She stayed in the role until 26 August 2026.
What this means for you: Her resignation started the council's formal process to appoint a new CEO.
- Policy
2026/27 budget adopted
At its meeting on 16 June 2026 the council adopted its 2026/27 budget, with rates rising 2.75% in line with the state cap, an operating surplus of $9.65 million and $40.66 million of capital works, including $15.85 million for roads and $9.14 million for the Victoria Park redevelopment in Echuca.
What this means for you: The first rates instalment is due on 30 September 2026, or pay in full by 15 February 2027.
- Waste
Council joins campaign against a fourth kerbside bin for glass
Campaspe is one of 34 Victorian councils in the 'Let's be clear on glass' campaign, which asks the Victorian Government to pause the mandatory rollout of a separate glass bin and expand the Container Deposit Scheme to wine and spirit bottles instead. The councils invited residents to complete a survey.
What this means for you: For now, glass bottles and jars still go in the yellow bin or the free glass skips at resource recovery centres.
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Campaspe Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.