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.
Open for your feedback
See all →Things Central Darling Shire Council wants your say on right now. Your view counts for more before the deadline.
- Open — see source for the closing date
Menindee Lakes to be surveyed
Have your say →
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
23 updatesAuto-collected from Central Darling Shire Council's public channels and drafted in plain language (pending review).
- Policy
UPDATE Wilcannia - Water Restrictions
Published on 02 November 2026 Level 1 Water Restrictions will start in Wilcannia on Wednesday, 4 November, from 5pm.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Wilcannia - Water Restrictions
Published on 28 October 2026 Central Darling Shire will be introducing Level 1 Water Restrictions in Wilcannia.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Landfill Fires, Dumping & Disposal
Published on 16 October 2026 To improve compliance and protect Council assets, CCTV surveillance systems are being installed at major landfill facilities throughout Central Darling Shire. These systems will assist in detecting illegal dumping, unlawful disposal practices, vandalism and other criminal activities.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Nominations called for Community Service Awards
Published on 02 October 2026 Nominations are open for the Community Service Awards. Each year these awards celebrate individuals, volunteers, and events that have made a meaningful and positive difference across the Shire.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Event
Free outdoor movie - Wilcannia
09 Oct 2026 Central Darling Shire is pleased to advise that a free Movie Night will be held in Wilcannia.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Central Darling Shire Council — Events & Service Provider Visits
- Event
Free outdoor movie - Ivanhoe
10 Oct 2026 Central Darling Shire is pleased to advise that a free Movie Night will be held in Ivanhoe.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Central Darling Shire Council — Events & Service Provider Visits
- Event
Ivanhoe Dry Times Truck, Tractor, Car & Bike Show 2026
03 Oct 2026 Barry Danson Memorial Show.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Central Darling Shire Council — Events & Service Provider Visits
- Policy
White Cliffs & Menindee Cemetery project completed
Published on 28 September 2026 A project to locate long-lost unmarked graves at the White Cliffs and Menindee cemeteries has been completed.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Free Outdoor Movies - Wilcannia and Ivanhoe
Published on 25 September 2026 Central Darling Shire is pleased to advise that free Movie Nights will be held in Ivanhoe and Wilcannia. • Friday 9 October Wilcannia oval.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Council to trial Unsupervised Swimming Pool Operations
Published on 24 September 2026 Central Darling Shire Council swimming pools will open on Sunday 1 November. Council will trial unsupervised swimming pool operations across all Council swimming pools for the upcoming swimming season.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Work underway on Wilcannia Emergency Bore project
Published on 17 September 2026 Work is underway on the Wilcannia Additional Emergency Groundwater Bore Project at the Wilcannia Golf Course as part of the NSW Government's Additional Emergency Groundwater Bore Project, which aims to improve long-term water security for the Wilcannia community. Works are expected to continue until 25 September 2026.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Menindee Lakes to be surveyed
Published on 27 August 2026 The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA), in partnership with the NSW Government, has initiated a new survey of the Menindee Lakes System to obtain current, accurate data on lake capacity and how the system has changed over time.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Drilling to start for groundwater Bore Project - Wilcannia
Published on 06 August 2026 The NSW Government has advised that test drilling is commencing as part of the Wilcannia Additional Emergency Groundwater Bore project, which aims to improve Wilcannia's water security.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Pelican Deaths – Menindee Lakes
Published on 10 August 2026 The NSW Government says investigations and laboratory testing of samples from 400 dead pelican chicks and juveniles found at Lake Cawndilla on 7 August 2026 found no evidence of H5 bird flu, with all samples testing negative.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
White Cliffs Solar Power Station State Heritage listed
Published on 08 September 2026 The White Cliffs Solar Power Station, where NSW first proved renewable energy could power a community, has secured its place in history with a listing on the State Heritage Register.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Community Grants applications successful
Published on 24 August 2026 Central Darling Shire approved five Community Grant applications at the August Council meeting.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
New Community Transport Trial
Published on 11 September 2026 The NSW Government is rolling out a new trial to test expanding eligibility for Community Transport services across regional NSW, making it easier for people to access education, training, and employment opportunities.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
draft Local Housing Strategy - have your say
Published on 24 August 2026 Central Darling Shire Council is currently exhibiting a draft Local Housing Strategy for public comment. As part of this process community information sessions will also be held.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan on public exhibition
Published on 20 August 2026 The Disability Inclusion Act 2014 (NSW) requires all NSW councils to prepare and implement a Disability Inclusion Action Plan and to consult with people with disability in the preparation and review of the plan. Council has a draft plan on exhibition for comment.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- 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
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