VIC · Melbourne — inner northern suburbs · Local council, made simple
Darebin City Council
A council in Melbourne's inner north, home to about 162,000 people. It covers Northcote, Thornbury, Preston, Reservoir and Kingsbury, and parts of Alphington, Fairfield, Bundoora and Macleod. The council runs your bins, local roads and footpaths, parks, libraries and planning, 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, your waste charges, and when it's due.
2026–27: average general rate +2.75% (state cap); kerbside waste charge $397.19
Open →Budget & financesDarebin's financial indicators, each shown next to the Victorian median.
Average rate per property: $1,764 (Vic median $1,937)
Open →Crime & safetyDarebin's recorded offence rates, side by side with the Victorian rate.
7 of 11 offence rates above the Victorian rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsYour ward councillor, the Mayor, and how to contact them.
Mayor: Cr Emily Dimitriadis (elected Nov 2025)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, how Darebin's wards vote, and the 2024 results.
Next election: Sat 28 Oct 2028 (by post)
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council: phone, counter hours and addresses.
Phone: 03 8470 8888 (8.30am–5pm weekdays)
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: 162,496 (ABS, June 2025)
Open →What's happening
5 updatesRecent items from Darebin City Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Have your say
Draft Northern Reservoir Truck Management Plan (feedback until 18 October)
The council has drafted a plan setting out the routes heavy trucks should use to reach the industrial area west of Banbury Road in Reservoir, aiming to keep them off residential streets. Residents, businesses and truck operators can comment until 18 October 2026.
What this means for you: If you live, work or drive trucks in northern Reservoir, you can give feedback online or at in-person sessions via Your Say Darebin.
Source: Darebin City Council — News
- Have your say
Concept designs for AG Davis Park and Henderson Park (feedback until 25 October)
Under the jointly funded Pick My Park program, the council has concept designs for upgrades to AG Davis Park in Preston and Henderson Park in Thornbury and is asking for feedback until 25 October 2026.
What this means for you: You can comment on the designs online, in your language, or at in-person sessions listed on Your Say Darebin.
Source: Darebin City Council — News
- Council meeting
Council votes to end the shared e-scooter and e-bike trial
At its meeting on 25 August 2026 the council voted to conclude the shared micromobility trial and end the shared e-scooter and e-bike service in Darebin. The council says trial data and community feedback informed the decision, and the findings will feed into its Integrated Transport Strategy.
What this means for you: Shared e-scooters and e-bikes will no longer operate under the council's trial.
Source: Darebin City Council — News
- Policy
2026–27 budget adopted
The council adopted its 2026–27 budget at a special meeting on 30 June 2026, with $27.6 million of capital works, no new borrowing and funding for glass separation from 2027–28.
What this means for you: Your 2026–27 rates notice reflects this budget: the average general rate rises 2.75%, and the kerbside waste service charge is $397.19. See the Rates & fees page.
- Election
Cr Emily Dimitriadis elected Mayor, Cr Matt Arturi Deputy Mayor
The councillors elected Cr Emily Dimitriadis (South East Ward) as Mayor and Cr Matt Arturi (North East Ward) as Deputy Mayor at a council meeting at Preston City Hall on 20 November 2025.
What this means for you: The councillors choose the Mayor and Deputy Mayor; voters elect their ward councillor.
Source: Darebin City Council — News
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Darebin City Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.