VIC · Loddon Mallee — Gannawarra (Kerang, Cohuna) · Local council, made simple
Gannawarra Shire Council
A rural shire in northern Victoria on the Murray and Loddon rivers, home to about 10,300 people in towns such as Kerang, Cohuna, Koondrook, Leitchville and Quambatook. The council runs your bins, local roads, pools and libraries, 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, how your bill is worked out, and when it's due.
2026–27: average rates +2.75% (state cap); municipal charge $110
Open →Budget & financesGannawarra's financial indicators, each shown next to the Victorian median.
Average rate per property: $1,855 (Vic median $1,937)
Open →Crime & safetyOffences recorded in Gannawarra by Victoria Police, next to the Victorian rate.
Offences recorded, year to June 2026
Open →Mayor & councillorsYour seven councillors, the Mayor, and how to contact them.
Mayor Cr Garner Smith steps down 30 Sep 2026
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, how Gannawarra votes, and the 2024 results.
Next election: Sat 28 Oct 2028 (by post)
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council: phone, email, offices and hours.
Phone: (03) 5450 9333
Open →Shire profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: 10,311 (ABS, June 2025)
Open →What's happening
5 updatesRecent items from Gannawarra Shire Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Policy
Council calls for fairer rural roads funding
Citing the RACV's 2026 My Country Road survey, which named the Loddon Valley Highway between Bendigo and Kerang the third most dangerous regional road corridor in Victoria, the council is calling for more long-term state and federal road funding for rural councils. It manages more than 2,400 km of local roads.
What this means for you: The council's call is advocacy to the state and federal governments; it lists five specific requests in its release.
Source: Gannawarra Shire Council — News
- Have your say
Have your say: rural dwelling excision policy
The council is seeking feedback on a proposed Rural Dwelling Excision for the Farming Zone Policy and assessment guidelines, which would replace the 2011 guidelines for excising existing dwellings from Farming Zone land.
What this means for you: Feedback closes at 5pm Friday 9 October 2026 (the council's September meeting report gives Wednesday 7 October). Respond online, by email to council@gsc.vic.gov.au, by post, by phone on (03) 5450 9333, or at the Kerang or Cohuna office.
- Council meeting
September meeting: Cohuna road safety tender; Mayor to step down
At its 16 September 2026 meeting the council awarded a $1.078 million tender for road safety works at two Cohuna intersections. Mayor Cr Garner Smith announced he will step down as Mayor on 30 September, following his nomination as a candidate for the Murray Plains electorate at the November 2026 state election.
What this means for you: The councillors choose the Mayor. The council's meetings page says a meeting to hold the mayoral election will take place in November 2026, date to be confirmed.
Source: Gannawarra Shire Council — News
- Development
Roads still closed after Avoca and Loddon river flooding
After minor flooding along the Avoca and Loddon rivers in August and September 2026, the council listed five of its roads as closed, at Appin, Dingwall and Quambatook (as of 11 September 2026).
What this means for you: Don't drive through floodwater. Check the council's flood page for current closures before travelling.
- Election
Cr Garner Smith re-elected Mayor, Cr Ross Stanton Deputy Mayor
At the council meeting on 19 November 2025, the councillors re-elected Cr Garner Smith as Mayor and Cr Ross Stanton as Deputy Mayor for 2025/26, both unopposed.
What this means for you: Cr Smith has since announced he will step down as Mayor on 30 September 2026.
Source: Gannawarra Shire 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 Gannawarra Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.