VIC · Loddon — Central Goldfields (Maryborough) · Local council, made simple
Central Goldfields Shire Council
A shire of about 1,530 km² at the centre of Victoria, home to about 13,800 people in Maryborough, Carisbrook, Dunolly, Talbot, Bealiba and smaller towns. The council runs your bins and transfer stations, local roads and drains, parks and pools, planning and community services, 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 rate +2.75% (state cap)
Open →Budget & financesThe council's financial indicators, each shown next to the Victorian median.
Average rate per property: $1,555 (Vic median $1,937)
Open →Crime & safetyCentral Goldfields' recorded offence rates, side by side with the Victorian rate.
Offences recorded, year to June 2026
Open →Mayor & councillorsYour ward councillor, the Mayor, and how to contact them.
Mayor: Cr Ben Green (since November 2025)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, how Central Goldfields votes, and the 2024 results.
Next election: Sat 28 Oct 2028 (by post)
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council: phone, office hours and address.
Phone: (03) 5461 0610
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: 13,753 (ABS, June 2025)
Open →What's happening
7 updatesRecent items from Central Goldfields Shire Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Council meeting
September council meeting moved to Monday 28 September
The council meeting set for Wednesday 23 September 2026 was postponed because of technical problems with network connections and the livestream. It was rescheduled to Monday 28 September from 6pm at Maryborough Town Hall.
What this means for you: The meeting is open to the public and can be watched online; agendas and minutes are on the council's meetings page.
Source: Central Goldfields Shire Council — Our latest stories
- Event
garingilang gatjin wii (Water and Fire Garden) wins two landscape architecture awards
The garden next to the Central Goldfields Art Gallery in Maryborough, created with Dja Dja Wurrung Elders, artists and DJANDAK, received the Award of Excellence for Cultural Heritage and the Regional Achievement Award at the 2026 AILA Victorian awards.
What this means for you: The garden, opened in August 2024, is a public space in central Maryborough.
Source: Central Goldfields Shire Council — Our latest stories
- Event
LETS Maryborough jobs, training and skills event on 8 October
A Learning, Employment, Training and Skills event at Maryborough Town Hall on Thursday 8 October 2026, 11.30am–2.30pm, run with Workforce Australia Local Jobs Ballarat and Asuria.
What this means for you: Open to anyone looking for work or training. Organisations wanting a stall had to register by 30 September.
Source: Central Goldfields Shire Council — Our latest stories
- Policy
Three councils seek $5 million to design a regional water supply project
Central Goldfields, Northern Grampians and Pyrenees shires asked the Victorian and Australian governments for $5 million for detailed design of the Southern Wimmera and Northeast Pyrenees Water Supply Project.
What this means for you: Nothing changes for water users yet; the councils say the network would be opt-in for rural landholders and businesses if built.
Source: Central Goldfields Shire Council — Our latest stories
- Development
Flood damage: one council road still closed
After two heavy rainfall events in August, the council said Middle Road, Eddington was the only road in the shire still closed, and that repairs across the damaged road network would take time.
What this means for you: Drive to the conditions and respect closure signs. Report road hazards on (03) 5461 0610 or online.
- Policy
2026–27 budget adopted: rates up 2.75%, transfer stations kept open
The council adopted a budget with a $3.22 million adjusted underlying deficit, which it aims to eliminate by 2029–30, and an $11.85 million capital works program. After a record 332 submissions, the Bealiba, Dunolly and Talbot transfer stations and $30,000 of community grants were kept; waste fees and charges rise 10%.
What this means for you: Average general rates and the municipal charge rise by the 2.75% cap; waste charges on your notice rise by more.
Source: Central Goldfields Shire Council — Our latest stories
- Election
Cr Ben Green elected Mayor, Cr Anna de Villiers Deputy Mayor
At the statutory meeting of 19 November 2025 the councillors set one-year terms and elected Cr Ben Green (Paddys Ranges Ward) as Mayor, succeeding Cr Grace La Vella, and Cr Anna de Villiers (Tullaroop Ward) as Deputy Mayor.
What this means for you: The Mayor chairs council meetings and is the council's main spokesperson. The next mayoral election is due in 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 Central Goldfields Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.