NSW · Far West NSW · Local council, made simple
Central Darling Shire Council
The largest local government area in NSW by land area — more than 53,000 km² of far-western country along the Darling River (Baaka) — and one of the smallest by population, with about 1,767 residents across Wilcannia, Menindee, Ivanhoe, White Cliffs, Sunset Strip and Tilpa. Administered by a state-appointed Administrator from 2013, the shire returned to an elected council on 4 December 2025 as NSW's first 'Rural and Remote Council': six councillors, three elected by the community and three appointed by the Minister for Local Government. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, water, 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 peg, how bills compare across NSW, and what else is charged.
2026-27 rate peg: 4.8%
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
7 of 9 OLG benchmarks met (2023-24)
Open →Crime & safetyWhat BOCSAR publishes for Central Darling — recorded incident counts.
294 recorded incidents across 12 major offences (Apr 2025 - Mar 2026)
Open →Chairperson & councillorsWho represents you under the Rural and Remote Council model.
Chairperson: Cr Robert (Bob) Stewart
Open →Elections & votingWhen Central Darling last voted, how the wards work, and what happens next.
Last election: Sat 20 Sep 2025
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council and report a problem.
Administration: 08 8083 8900
Open →Area profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~1,767 (2023-24)
Open →What's happening
4 updatesRecent items from Central Darling Shire Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Have your say
Draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan on public exhibition
Council has placed a draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan on public exhibition for comment. The Disability Inclusion Act 2014 (NSW) requires all NSW councils to prepare and implement such a plan and to consult people with disability in preparing and reviewing it.
What this means for you: This is an open consultation — residents can read the draft and make a submission through the council's news article and Have Your Say page.
Source: Central Darling Shire Council — draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan on public exhibition
- Policy
Test drilling starts for the Wilcannia emergency groundwater bore
The NSW Government advised that test drilling commenced on 6 August 2026 at the Wilcannia Golf Course as part of the Wilcannia Additional Emergency Groundwater Bore project, with two test bore sites established to assess groundwater flow rates and quality.
What this means for you: The drilling was scheduled to run from Thursday 6 August to Sunday 9 August 2026. The results are intended to identify the best location for a production bore to improve Wilcannia's water security.
Source: Central Darling Shire Council — Drilling to start for groundwater Bore Project, Wilcannia
- Development
Racecourse Road, Menindee upgrade completed
Council advised that a $2.34 million road upgrade project at Racecourse Road, Menindee has been completed, after work started in July 2025.
What this means for you: Road condition is a recurring practical issue across the shire, where many connecting roads are unsealed. Council publishes a road conditions update page for current closures and restrictions.
Source: Central Darling Shire Council — Racecourse Road, Menindee project completed
- Policy
Council adopts its 2026-27 budget
Central Darling Shire Council adopted its 2026/27 Budget, delivering a $21.797 million capital works program, securing $30 million in grant funding and maintaining a focus on long-term financial sustainability.
What this means for you: The capital program is 89% grant funded and includes aerodrome runway works ($5.0M), the White Cliffs Caravan Park redevelopment ($1.0M), CCTV at Ivanhoe and Menindee ($0.8M), shared path upgrades ($0.8M) and $1.9M of Roads to Recovery road projects. Rates income rises by the IPART rate peg of 4.8% across the council's total rates income, not necessarily by that amount on any individual bill.
Source: Central Darling Shire Council — Council adopts budget
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Central Darling Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.