NSW · Murray / Riverina · Local council, made simple
Edward River Council
The council for Deniliquin and the southern Riverina plains around it — about 8,400 people across 8,883 km² of the Edward River country, on an economy of irrigated agriculture: rice, cropping, sheep and cattle. Edward River Council was created in 2016 by merging Deniliquin Council with the surrounding Conargo Shire, and Deniliquin remains the seat and the only sizeable town, alongside the villages of Conargo, Blighty, Wanganella, Booroorban, Pretty Pine, Mayrung and Morago. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, water, roads, parks, the library and swim centre, the saleyards and airport, 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.
Open for your feedback
See all →Things Edward River Council wants your say on right now. Your view counts for more before the deadline.
- Open — see source for the closing date
Public Exhibition of Development Application DA2026/0063
Have your say → - Open — see source for the closing date
Public Exhibition of Development Application DA2026/0056
Have your say → - Open — see source for the closing date
Public Exhibition of Development Application DA2026/0053
Have your say →
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 it compares across NSW, and why bills differ.
2026–27 rate peg: 3.0%
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
5 of 8 measurable OLG benchmarks met — no borrowings
Open →Crime & safetyEdward River's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
4 of 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Ashley Hall (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: (03) 5898 3000
Open →Area profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~8,411 (2023–24) · seat: Deniliquin
Open →What's happening
13 updatesAuto-collected from Edward River Council's public channels and drafted in plain language (pending review).
- Have your say
Public Exhibition of Development Application MOD2026/0005 (DA2023/0024)
Public Exhibition of Development Application MOD2026/0005 (DA2023/0024)
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Deniliquin Medical Centre expression of interest moves to assessment
Council opened an Expression of Interest on 29 July 2026 for qualified healthcare providers to deliver health and medical services from the Council-owned Deniliquin Medical Centre, and announced on 20 August 2026 that applications had closed and assessment was underway. Council and the current operator, Ochre Health, issued a joint statement on 6 August 2026 saying both organisations continue to work together as planning progresses for the transition of operator.
What this means for you: The Medical Centre remains open and operating while the process runs. Council publishes its media releases, FAQs and the EOI documents on a dedicated Have Your Say page if you want to follow what happens next.
Source: Edward River Council — Strong response as Medical Centre EOI moves to assessment
- Development
Public Notification of Development July 2026
Public Notification of Development July 2026
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Public Exhibition of Development Application DA2026/0056
Public Exhibition of Development Application DA2026/0056
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Public Exhibition of Development Application DA2026/0053
Public Exhibition of Development Application DA2026/0053
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Public Exhibition of Development Application DA2026/0045
Public Exhibition of Development Application DA2026/0045
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Development
Public Notification June 2026
Public Notification June 2026
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Development
Public Notification May 2026
Public Notification May 2026
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Public Exhibition of Development Application DA2026/0031
Public Exhibition of Development Application DA2026/0031
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Public Exhibition of Development Application DA2026/0063
Public Exhibition of Development Application DA2026/0063
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Waste
Landfill vouchers replace Free Waste Weekend from 1 September 2026
Council will introduce a landfill voucher system from 1 September 2026, replacing the Free Waste Weekend program. Each eligible household — including renters, subject to proof of residency — receives a voucher worth $52 that can be used across multiple visits on any day the Deniliquin Landfill is open, with the remaining balance tracked online.
What this means for you: If you have been saving up a trailer load for the free weekend, that weekend is not running again. From 1 September you apply online (or get help at the Customer Service Centre or Edward River Library) and use the voucher whenever suits. Council is running information sessions at the library on 1, 3 and 8 September 2026.
Source: Edward River Council — Landfill Voucher System to Improve Safety & Convenience for Residents
- Policy
Council issues statement on SunRice redundancies in Deniliquin
Council published a statement from Acting Mayor Kellie Crossley after confirmation that 68 Deniliquin-based SunRice employees will lose their jobs as part of operational changes affecting 71 local workers, with a small number redeployed within the company. The statement attributes the decision to federal water reform and water buyback policy — that is the council's stated position — and says Council is scheduling discussions with Workforce Australia and other agencies about support, retraining and employment pathways.
What this means for you: If you or someone in your household is affected, Council has said it will work with Workforce Australia and other agencies on retraining and employment support; contact Council on (03) 5898 3000 for the current arrangements. The rice mill is one of Deniliquin's largest employers, so the effect is likely to be felt across local businesses and services too.
Source: Edward River Council — Council's Statement on SunRice Redundancies in Deniliquin
- Policy
Performance Improvement Order concludes
Council announced that it had completed all requirements under the Performance Improvement Order issued by the NSW Minister for Local Government in July 2024. The closure followed Council's third and final compliance report in February 2025, after which the Minister confirmed the order would not be extended or varied. The Office of Local Government continues to monitor Council's progress.
What this means for you: The order was a state-government intervention in how the council governs itself, not a change to any service you use. The order document itself and Council's account of the process are both published — the sources below are the place to read them and judge for yourself.
Source: Edward River Council — Emerges Stronger as Performance Order Concludes
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Edward River Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.