NSW · Riverina · Local council, made simple
Greater Hume Shire Council
A large rural council in the Riverina near Albury and the Victorian border — around 11,600 people spread across towns and villages including Holbrook, Culcairn, Henty, Walla Walla and Jindera, with no single dominant centre and an agricultural economy of cropping and livestock. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, water, roads, parks, development — and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, then the stuff that 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 it compares across NSW, and why bills differ.
2025–26 rate peg: 5.3%
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets 6 of 9 OLG benchmarks (2023–24)
Open →Crime & safetyGreater Hume's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
9 of 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Lea Parker (Independent)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, and how voting works.
Next election: Sat 9 Sep 2028
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council and report a problem.
Customer service: 1300 653 538
Open →Area profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~11,600 (2024)
Open →What's happening
3 updatesRecent items from Greater Hume Shire Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Election
Lea Parker elected Mayor, Ben Hooper Deputy Mayor
At the council's first meeting following the September 2024 election, councillors elected Lea Parker (East Ward) as Mayor and Ben Hooper (North Ward) as Deputy Mayor, both by 5 votes to 4, succeeding outgoing Mayor Tony Quinn and Deputy Mayor Annette Schilg.
What this means for you: The Mayor and Deputy Mayor are chosen by the nine councillors, not by a separate popular vote. This sets the council's civic leadership for the current term.
Source: Border Mail — Lea Parker elected mayor of Greater Hume, Ben Hooper as deputy
- Waste
Council moves to a three-bin kerbside system with weekly FOGO
From 1 July 2024, Greater Hume introduced a three-bin kerbside system: red general waste and yellow recycling collected fortnightly on alternating weeks, plus a new green food-and-garden organics (FOGO) bin collected weekly.
What this means for you: Most households now put a bin out every week (recycling and general waste alternate; FOGO is weekly), and the domestic waste charge increased alongside the new service. Check the council's collection calendar for your exact bin days.
Source: Greater Hume Council — Greater Hume Council Moves to 3 Bin System in 2024
- Policy
2024–25 budget passed amid opposition to new FOGO bin charges
Council passed its 2024–25 budget after a submission period in which 13 of 22 public submissions opposed the new three-bin FOGO system, citing cost increases (roughly $260 to $460 a year for waste charges), reduced red-bin frequency, and concerns from residents on large rural blocks.
What this means for you: If your waste charge rose noticeably in 2024–25, this is the context: the new FOGO service and its associated cost were debated in the lead-up to the budget before council proceeded with the change.
Source: Border Mail — Greater Hume passes budget amid green waste bin opposition
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