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
Coolamon's direction is set out in its Community Strategic Plan 'Coolamon Shire 2040' (endorsed 19 June 2025) and a Delivery Program 2026–2030 with an annual Operational Plan, budget and 10-year Long Term Financial Plan, adopted together on 18 June 2026.
The council manages local roads, sewerage, waste, parks and planning across a Riverina LGA of about 4,600 people, and also directly runs aged care (Allawah Lodge, Allawah Community Care and the Allawah Retirement Village), childcare (Coolamon Early Childhood Centre, Ardlethan Preschool) and the library. Drinking water is supplied by Goldenfields Water County Council, of which Coolamon is a constituent council. 'Coolamon Shire 2040' organises the work under four themes.
The adopted 2026–27 budget is consolidated income of $25.584M against expenses of $19.256M, an operating result of +$1.080M and a capital works program of $7.128M, built on IPART's 4.9% rate peg. Rates and annual charges raise $5.130M of that income and grants and contributions $9.265M, which is why the council's own-source revenue ratio sits below the OLG benchmark. Longer term, the Long Term Financial Plan carries a $15.679M Coolamon Showground upgrade and a $9.0M Coolamon Sewage Treatment Works renewal, both subject to external funding.
- Coolamon Shire Council — Integrated Planning & Reporting · Aug 2026
- Coolamon Shire Council — 'Coolamon Shire 2040' Community Strategic Plan (PDF) · Endorsed 19 Jun 2025
- Coolamon Shire Council — Delivery Program 2026–2030 & Operational Plan 2026–2027 (PDF) · Adopted 18 Jun 2026
Underway now
Kerbside organics collection in Coolamon and Ganmain
Running now in two towns; shire-wide rollout stated as a future intentionCouncil has commenced a fortnightly organics and green waste collection in Coolamon and Ganmain, charged at $85.00 per service in 2026–27, and says it has a vision to roll the scheme out shire-wide in future. Households in Ardlethan, Marrar, Matong and Beckom currently receive the weekly red bin and fortnightly yellow bin only. An E-waste facility is also now available at the Coolamon Transfer Station, which houses the shire's Community Recycling Centre.
Planned / committed
Coolamon Showground upgrade and equine precinct
$15.679M across the 2026–2036 Long Term Financial Plan, subject to fundingThe council's Long Term Financial Plan carries Coolamon Showground upgrades as its single largest capital project at an estimated $15.679M, made up of $12.615M from the rPPP/REDCIP programs, $600,000 from REPP and $2.464M from the general fund, with the first $5.799M profiled in 2026–27. The related Coolamon Showground Harness Training Equine Precinct Masterplan is listed as a current strategic planning document, and the Mayor's introduction to the Operational Plan names the Riverina Equine Precinct Project as an ongoing advocacy priority. All amounts are conditional on the council receiving the external funding.
Source: Coolamon Shire Council — Delivery Program 2026–2030 & Operational Plan 2026–2027 (PDF)
Coolamon Sewage Treatment Works renewal
$9.0M in the 2026–2036 Long Term Financial PlanThe Long Term Financial Plan provides $9.0M for a renewal of the Coolamon Sewage Treatment Works, funded $6.75M from the Safe and Secure Water Program and $2.25M from the sewerage fund, alongside $500,000 for sewer extensions. A Coolamon Sewage Treatment Works Business Plan is listed among the council's current strategic documents, and the Mayor's Operational Plan introduction says the council will continue to investigate options for a new plant to serve a growing Coolamon.
Source: Coolamon Shire Council — Delivery Program 2026–2030 & Operational Plan 2026–2027 (PDF)
Recently delivered
Ardlethan Tin Mine Fund community grants
Round 1 completed; Round 2 recipients announced July 2026The Ardlethan Tin Mine Fund makes small grants to local community projects. Five projects were completed through Round One with $20,000 invested, and six further projects were awarded funding under Round Two in July 2026. Council administers the fund and publishes the recipients on its news page.