VIC · Barwon — Golden Plains · Local council, made simple
Golden Plains Shire Council
A rural shire between Geelong and Ballarat, home to about 26,600 people across towns such as Bannockburn, Teesdale, Inverleigh, Lethbridge, Meredith, Haddon and Smythesdale. The council runs your bins, local roads and bridges, parks 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, how your bill is worked out, and when it's due.
2026–27: average rates +2.75% (state cap); waste charge $497
Open →Budget & financesGolden Plains' financial indicators, each shown next to the Victorian median.
Average rate per property: $2,052 (Vic median $1,937)
Open →Crime & safetyGolden Plains' recorded offence rates, side by side with the Victorian rate.
All 10 comparable offence rates below the Victorian rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsYour seven councillors, the Mayor, and how to contact them.
Mayor: Cr Owen Sharkey (2025/26 term)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, how Golden Plains votes, and the 2024 results.
Next election: Sat 28 Oct 2028 (by post)
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council: phone, email, customer hubs and hours.
Phone: (03) 5220 7111
Open →Shire profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: 26,620 (ABS, June 2025)
Open →What's happening
5 updatesRecent items from Golden Plains Shire Council's public channels, in plain language.
We check Golden Plains Shire Council's website every day, but we can't read it. It refuses requests from our collector, so anything below was recorded by hand and may be out of date. This says nothing about what the council has published — these are the pages we watch:
- Have your say
Draft Inverleigh Sporting Complex Master Plan open for feedback
The council is inviting feedback on the draft master plan for the Inverleigh Sporting Complex, which sets a long-term vision for the reserve's facilities. Feedback is open until 5pm, Monday 26 October 2026.
What this means for you: You can respond online or with a hard-copy survey at the Bannockburn or Smythesdale customer hub. The final plan is due to go to the November 2026 council meeting.
- Development
Deputy Prime Minister visits Bannockburn
Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey and CEO Adam McSwain hosted Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Corio Richard Marles in Bannockburn, where they discussed population growth, roads, public transport, housing and access to community services.
What this means for you: Since the federal redistribution, Bannockburn, Gheringhap, Murgheboluc, Russells Bridge, Stonehaven and parts of Batesford are in the Corio electorate.
- Waste
Recycling collection missed on flooded roads
Flooded and closed roads stopped the recycling truck reaching Tannery, Gists, Hillcrest and Moonies Dam roads on 21 August 2026. Residents there were asked to leave their recycling bins out for collection on Tuesday 25 August.
What this means for you: For questions about a missed collection, call (03) 5220 7111.
- Policy
2026/27 budget adopted: rates +2.75%, waste charge $497
At its meeting on 26 May 2026 the council adopted a $62 million budget for 2026/27, with average rates rising by the 2.75% state cap, a $14.6 million capital works program and a waste management charge of $497 per property.
What this means for you: Rate notices went out in August 2026; the first instalment is due 30 September 2026. Your own bill can change by more or less than 2.75%, depending on your property's value and type.
- Election
Cr Owen Sharkey re-elected Mayor, Cr Emma Robbins Deputy Mayor
At a council meeting on 11 November 2025, the councillors re-elected Cr Owen Sharkey as Mayor for 2025/26 and elected Cr Emma Robbins as Deputy Mayor.
What this means for you: The councillors choose the Mayor. The next mayoral election is at the council meeting of Tuesday 10 November 2026.
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Golden Plains Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.