What the council is working on
Recent deliveries, what's underway now, and what's planned next — drawn from the council's own plans, budgets and project pages. We report what the council has publicly said it's doing; every item links to its source.
The council's stated direction
Golden Plains' direction is set by the Golden Plains Community Vision 2040 and the Council Plan 2025–2029, with the Financial Plan 2025–2035 behind the budget. The council adopted the 2026–27 budget on 26 May 2026.
The Council Plan 2025–2029 has five strategic directions: Community (proud, safe, inclusive, connected and resilient communities); Liveability (health and wellbeing, rural and urban living, recreation, events and connected transport); Sustainability (environmental stewardship, ecosystems, nature and cultural heritage); Prosperity (learning, local goods and services, jobs, agriculture and business, advocacy and partnerships); and Leadership (community engagement, accountable governance and financial management, and responsive services).
The 2026–27 budget of $62 million includes a $14.6 million capital works program, of which the council says more than $7 million renews existing assets, mainly roads and bridges. Items listed by the council include $2.54 million of federal Roads to Recovery funding, $900,000 for road resealing, $670,000 for road improvements, $700,000 for gravel resheeting, $600,000 for drainage, $300,000 for footpaths and cycleways, $350,000 for bridge renewals, $2.4 million to replace Russells Bridge and $1.75 million for the Teesdale female-friendly changerooms. Ahead of the November 2026 state election the council is advocating for eight focus areas, including better public transport, road funding, sewerage for Meredith, and scrapping the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund.
Underway now
Inverleigh Sporting Complex Master Plan
Feedback 28 Sep – 26 Oct 2026; adoption planned for November 2026A draft master plan setting a long-term vision for the reserve, shaped by consultation earlier in 2026. Feedback is open online and with hard-copy surveys at the Bannockburn and Smythesdale customer hubs.
Planned / committed
Russells Bridge replacement
$2.4 million in the 2026–27 budgetReplacement of Russells Bridge, the largest single item in the council's 2026–27 capital works program. The budget also includes $350,000 for other local bridge renewals.
Source: Golden Plains Shire Council — 2026/27 Council Budget Adopted
Teesdale female-friendly changerooms
$1.75 million in the 2026–27 budgetA changeroom project at Teesdale listed among the community infrastructure projects in the 2026–27 budget.
Source: Golden Plains Shire Council — 2026/27 Council Budget Adopted
Food and garden organics (FOGO) bin
Council estimate: 2027/28The fourth bin required under the state's standard system. The council ran a FOGO survey in June 2025 (870 responses) and is partnering with Barwon Water and three other councils on the Regional Renewable Organics Network processing facility.