NSW · Orana · Local council, made simple
Coonamble Shire Council
A north-west plains council on the Castlereagh River — about 3,871 people spread across 9,916 km², in Coonamble, Gulargambone and Quambone, on an economy of dryland grazing and cropping. Council describes the shire as running from the edge of the Warrumbungle range, across the Castlereagh plains, towards the Macquarie Marshes. It runs the local services you use every week — the weekly red bin, town water and sewerage, roads (most of them unsealed), parks, saleyards and 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, when instalments fall due, and what else is on the notice.
2026-27 rate peg: 3.5%
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
6 of 9 OLG benchmarks met (2023-24)
Open →Crime & safetyCoonamble's recorded crime figures, side by side with the NSW average.
10 of 12 major offences above the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read the official results.
Mayor: Daniel Keady (Independent)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, and how voting works.
Next election: Sat 9 Sep 2028
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council and report a problem.
Customer service: (02) 6827 1900
Open →Area profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~3,871 (2023-24)
Open →What's happening
5 updatesRecent items from Coonamble Shire Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Have your say
Draft 2026-27 Operational Plan and budget went on public exhibition
Council placed its draft Operational Plan and Budget 2026-27, draft Revenue Policy and draft Fees and Charges on public exhibition, with submissions closing 10 June 2026 and adoption required by 30 June 2026. The draft commits Council to work with local businesses, not-for-profits and educational institutions on skills and local employment, and to develop a housing strategy addressing the affordability and availability of residential land and housing.
What this means for you: The adopted plan applies IPART's 3.5% rate peg and lifts the domestic waste management charge from $550 to $660 per service. Council's Public Exhibition page is where draft plans and budgets — including a draft Long-Term Financial Plan — are opened for submissions.
Source: Coonamble Shire Council — Media Release: 2026/27 Operational Plan (Budget)
- Development
Construction started on the $41.2 million Tooraweenah Road upgrade
Construction on the Tooraweenah Road upgrade began on Monday 4 May 2026 with site clearing and preparation, following the appointment of the construction contractor in January 2026. The project is funded by the Australian Government and is intended to improve road conditions, flood resilience and connectivity for residents, freight operators and visitors.
What this means for you: Expect works and a road closure with a detour on part of Tooraweenah Road while construction runs. Council's Road Conditions page and the Tooraweenah Road Upgrade project page carry current closures and detours.
Source: Coonamble Shire Council — Media Release: Construction to Commence on Tooraweenah Road
- Waste
Council confirms there is no kerbside recycling service in the shire
Council advised that kerbside recycling services are not currently provided across the shire, with recycling instead running through Return and Earn and contractor-based collection of cardboard, mattresses, tyres and e-waste. It cited low population density and waste volumes, a 15-18% fall in recyclable volumes since Return and Earn began, and a regional report finding three of ten councils offer a kerbside recycling service.
What this means for you: Only the red-lidded general waste bin is collected from the kerb. Recyclables go to Return and Earn (10c per eligible container, at the Coonamble and Quambone facilities) or, sorted, free of charge at the waste facilities.
Source: Coonamble Shire Council — Media Release: Kerbside Recycling
- Waste
Council seeks an EPA exemption from the 2030 FOGO kerbside mandate
Council published its position on the NSW requirement to introduce a household Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) kerbside collection by 2030. It estimates a local rollout would need about 2,000 new bins, a weekly collection and transport of organics to Dubbo, at roughly $354,000 in the first year and about $254,000 a year ongoing, and says it is exploring the NSW EPA's custom exemption framework.
What this means for you: There is no green FOGO bin in Coonamble Shire today and Council has said it does not intend to introduce one on the current terms. If an exemption is not granted, the cost Council has published would flow into the domestic waste management charge. Food scraps can be composted at home; green waste can be dropped at a waste facility.
Source: Coonamble Shire Council — Media Release: FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics)
- Waste
New Community Recycling Centre opened at the Coonamble Waste Management Facility
Council opened the Coonamble Community Recycling Centre at the Coonamble Waste Management Facility on Quambone Road, established with a $31,601 grant from the Environmental Trust under the NSW EPA's Waste Less Recycle More initiative. It accepts household problem waste — paints, oils, gas bottles, household batteries and smoke detectors — free of charge, all year round.
What this means for you: Problem waste that must not go in the red bin now has a free local drop-off point, up to 20 litres or 20 kilograms per visit. The facility is open Monday to Thursday 7am-4pm and Saturday and Sunday 9am-4pm, and is closed on Fridays.
Source: Coonamble Shire Council — Media Release: New Recycling Centre Opens at Coonamble
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Coonamble Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.