VIC · Geelong & Barwon · Local council, made simple
Greater Geelong City Council
The City of Greater Geelong is the council for Geelong and its surrounds, about 75 km south-west of Melbourne, and home to about 295,000 people. It stretches from Lara to Armstrong Creek and across most of the Bellarine Peninsula. Eleven councillors, one per ward, choose the Mayor for a two-year term. The council runs your bins, local roads and footpaths, parks, libraries 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 +6.8%
Open →Budget & financesGreater Geelong's financial indicators, each shown next to the Victorian median.
Average rate per property: $1,802 (Vic median $1,937)
Open →Crime & safetyGreater Geelong's recorded offence rates, side by side with the Victorian rate.
7 of 11 offence rates below the Victorian rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsYour ward councillor, the Mayor, and how to contact them.
Mayor: Cr Stretch Kontelj (Nov 2024 – Nov 2026)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, how Greater Geelong's wards vote, and the 2024 results.
Next election: Sat 28 Oct 2028 (by post)
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council: phone, customer service centres and address.
Phone: 03 5272 5272
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: 295,052 (ABS, June 2025)
Open →What's happening
6 updatesRecent items from Greater Geelong City Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Have your say
Have your say on the draft Public Realm Framework
Council has endorsed a draft Public Realm Framework for community engagement. It covers the streets, plazas and civic spaces in local activity centres across Greater Geelong. Feedback is open for four weeks from 24 September 2026.
What this means for you: If you use a local shopping or activity centre, you can comment on how its public spaces should be designed before the final framework goes to Council.
- Development
North Bellarine Aquatic Centre to be named the Linda McGill Aquatic Centre
After a public vote, Council approved naming the aquatic centre in Drysdale after marathon swimmer Linda McGill MBE. The name will be submitted to Geographic Names Victoria. The council says Stage Two construction is nearing 60% complete, with completion expected in July 2027.
What this means for you: The centre's name will change once it is gazetted. Stage Two works continue into 2027.
- Election
Council publishes arrangements for councillors standing in the state election
The Victorian election is on Saturday 28 November 2026. The council says any councillor who stands remains bound by the Local Government Act 2020, the Model Councillor Code of Conduct and the council's candidate guidelines, which encourage candidates to take leave by the close of nominations on 9 November 2026. A councillor elected to parliament must resign from council.
What this means for you: Questions about candidates and voting in the state election go to the Victorian Electoral Commission. If a councillor is elected to parliament, their ward seat will fall vacant.
- Development
Redeveloped Chilwell Library opens in Newtown
The $2.5 million redevelopment of Chilwell Library in Sladen Park, Newtown, is complete. The library is larger, with an accessible entry, meeting rooms, a kids' corner and public toilets.
What this means for you: The library is open again. Opening hours are on the Geelong Regional Libraries website.
- Policy
Budget 2026–27 adopted
Council adopted the 2026–27 Budget at its meeting on 23 June 2026, with the 2026–36 Long Term Financial Plan and the Year 2 update of the Council Plan 2025–29. Average rates rise by the 2.75% state cap, and the budget plans $171.6 million of capital works.
What this means for you: Your 2026–27 rates notice reflects this budget. The waste management charge, which isn't capped, rises 6.8% to $544.20.
- Waste
Council defers committing to a kerbside glass bin
On 9 December 2025, Council voted down a proposal for a 120-litre glass bin collected every four weeks from 1 July 2027. It instead resolved to defer committing to a kerbside glass service, citing cost, inefficiency, duplication of existing programs and local needs, and to keep advocating for a more flexible glass service with more than 30 other councils. Officers estimated the rollout at about $8.6 million, plus about $5.4 million a year to run.
What this means for you: For now, glass bottles and jars still go in your yellow recycling bin. The state requirement for a glass service still applies, and any glass service would come back to Council for a decision.
Source: City of Greater Geelong — Council meeting minutes, 9 December 2025
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We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Greater Geelong City Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.