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NSW · Central West · Local council, made simple

Forbes Shire Council

A Central West shire on the Lachlan River, where the Newell Highway runs through town — around 9,300 people spread across 4,710 km², from Forbes itself out to Bedgerabong, Garema, Ootha and Wirrinya, on an economy anchored by agriculture, food and freight. Much of the council's current capital program is flood recovery and betterment work following the 2022 Lachlan River floods. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, water and sewer, roads, parks, development — and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, then the stuff that affects your week.

Area profile
Population: ~9,295 (2023–24)
Mayor & councillors
Mayor: Phyllis Miller OAM
Crime & safety
10 of 12 major offences above the NSW rate
Budget & finances
4 of 9 OLG benchmarks met (2023–24)
The Forbes Shire council area (official LGA boundary). Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Everyday essentials

The things people actually need from the council — fast.

Bins & recycling

When's my bin day?

Your collection days and what goes in each bin.

Check bin day →Report a problem

Something needs fixing?

Potholes, dumped rubbish, broken lights — how to report it to Forbes Shire.

How to report →

Open for your feedback

See all →

Things Forbes Shire Council wants your say on right now. Your view counts for more before the deadline.

Get to know your council

The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.

Rates & fees

This year's rate rise, how it compares across NSW, and why bills differ.

2026–27 rate peg: 3.1%

Open →Budget & finances

How financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.

4 of 9 OLG benchmarks met (2023–24)

Open →Crime & safety

Forbes's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.

10 of 12 major offences above the NSW rate

Open →Mayor & councillors

Who represents you — and where to read their official profiles.

Mayor: Phyllis Miller OAM

Open →Elections & voting

When the next council election is, and how voting works.

Next election: Sat 9 Sep 2028

Open →Contact & services

How to reach the council and report a problem.

Customer service: (02) 6850 2300

Open →Area profile

The basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.

Population: ~9,295 (2023–24)

Open →
What the council is working onRecent deliveries, what's underway and what's planned next — each with a source.Priorities →

What's happening

53 updates

Auto-collected from Forbes Shire Council's public channels and drafted in plain language (pending review).

Email alerts aren't switched on yet

We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Forbes Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.