What the council is working on
Recent deliveries, what's underway now, and what's planned next — drawn from the council's own plans, budgets and project pages. We report what the council has publicly said it's doing; every item links to its source.
The council's stated direction
Central Darling's direction is set out in a Community Strategic Plan 2026-2036 adopted on 23 June 2026, with a Delivery Program 2026-2028, an annual Operational Plan and Budget, a Long Term Financial Plan 2027-2036 and an Asset Management Plan 2026-2030 — the first full planning cycle prepared for an elected council since the shire came out of administration in December 2025.
The council manages local and regional roads, water supply and sewerage, waste, aerodromes, caravan parks, halls and pools across the largest LGA in NSW. Its Community Strategic Plan is built around six focus areas identified through community meetings in each town: Community and Culture; Local and Regional Governance; Natural Environment; Local Economy; Rural and Urban Land Use; and Infrastructure and Services. The plan states that it is owned by the communities of the shire rather than by the council, which co-ordinated its preparation.
The adopted 2026-27 budget delivers a $21.8 million capital works program ($7.3M renewal, $14.5M new/upgrade) of which 89% is grant funded, alongside operating grants of $15.1M and capital grants of $15.1M against rate income of $1.05M. The NSW Government committed $6 million over two years in the 2025-26 State Budget to support the council's transition out of administration and its long-term financial stability, and the 2026-27 budget shows $2.9M of OLG sustainability funding.
- Central Darling Shire Council — Community Strategic Plan 2026-2036 (PDF) · Adopted 23 Jun 2026
- Central Darling Shire Council — Delivery Program 2026-2028 (PDF) · Adopted 23 Jun 2026
- Central Darling Shire Council — Operational Plan and Budget 2026-27 (PDF) · Adopted 23 Jun 2026
- Central Darling Shire Council — Council Policies and Plans · Aug 2026
Underway now
New water treatment plants at White Cliffs, Ivanhoe and Wilcannia
$10 million Australian and NSW Government funding announced May 2024; works continuing into 2026-27Council's project page records $10 million in Australian and NSW Government funding for new water treatment plants at White Cliffs, Ivanhoe and Wilcannia, together with a new potable water reticulation system at White Cliffs. The council's 2026-27 budget notes additional operating expenditure arising from the completion of water treatment plant capital works. Residents at Wilcannia and Ivanhoe connected to a water smart meter can register for usage alerts through the council's MiWater service.
Source: Central Darling Shire Council — Water Treatment Plants project page
Wilcannia Additional Emergency Groundwater Bore
Test drilling commenced 6 August 2026The NSW Government advised that test drilling has commenced as part of the Wilcannia Additional Emergency Groundwater Bore project, which aims to improve Wilcannia's water security. Two test bore sites are being established at the Wilcannia Golf Course to assess groundwater flow rates and quality and to identify the most suitable location for the production bore.
Source: Central Darling Shire Council — Drilling to start for groundwater Bore Project, Wilcannia
Recently delivered
Return to an elected council under the Rural and Remote Council model
Election 20 September 2025; first council meeting 4 December 2025Central Darling had been under administration since 2013 and, as at June 2025, was the only local government area in NSW without an elected council. An election was held on 20 September 2025 for one councillor in each of the shire's three wards, with results declared on 14 October 2025; the Minister for Local Government announced three appointed councillors on 31 October 2025. The first meeting of the six-member council — the state's first 'Rural and Remote Council' — was held at Wilcannia on 4 December 2025, when the council came out of administration. The NSW Government committed $6 million over two years to support the transition, and had previously provided more than $475,000 towards the election and councillor support.
Baaka Cultural Centre, Wilcannia
Building construction completed late 2024The $9.5 million Baaka Cultural Centre at Wilcannia is described by the council as a regionally significant project. It was independently assessed and approved by the Western Regional Planning Panel before council endorsement in September 2022, and building construction was completed in late 2024. The centre is intended to host exhibitions, performances, workshops, training and events, and to function as a visitor information centre, a community meeting place and a keeping place for artefacts.
Source: Central Darling Shire Council — Baaka Cultural Centre, Wilcannia