NSW · North-Western Sydney (Hawkesbury) · Local council, made simple
Hawkesbury City Council
A large, largely rural north-western Sydney council on the Hawkesbury River — around 68,700 people across historic river towns like Windsor and Richmond and rural localities from Pitt Town to Bilpin, and home to RAAF Base Richmond. Much of the LGA is flood-prone, and the council runs the local services you use every week — waste, roads, libraries, 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.
2026–27: 8.66% special rate variation (year 1 of 4)
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets 5 of 9 OLG financial benchmarks
Open →Crime & safetyHawkesbury's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
11 of 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Les Sheather (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: (02) 4560 4444
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~68,700
Open →What's happening
3 updatesRecent items from Hawkesbury City Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Policy
IPART approves Hawkesbury's four-year special rate variation
On 2 June 2026 IPART approved a Special Rate Variation allowing the council to lift general rates income by 8.66% per year for four years (2026–27 to 2029–30), inclusive of the rate peg — a cumulative increase of about 39.4%.
What this means for you: Rates will rise more than the standard rate peg (which would have been 3.1% for 2026–27); the extra revenue is legally quarantined for infrastructure renewal, chiefly roads, and the council must report each year on how it is spent.
- Waste
Council defers FOGO rollout and starts a waste-to-resource trial
The council has deferred its combined food-and-garden (FOGO) bin rollout to 1 July 2029 and begun a 12-month trial (from January 2026) with ARC Ento Tech on a black-soldier-fly waste-to-resource facility.
What this means for you: For now, the green bin stays garden-organics only and food scraps still go in the red general-waste bin; a FOGO service is required across NSW by 2030.
Source: Waste Management Review — NSW council defers FOGO transition
- Policy
Council adopts 'Our Hawkesbury 2045' Community Strategic Plan
Following community engagement through 2024–25, the council endorsed its updated 20-year Community Strategic Plan, 'Our Hawkesbury 2045', alongside a Delivery Program 2025–2029, with continued flood recovery and resilience among its priorities.
What this means for you: The plan sets the council's long-term goals and shapes the annual Operational Plan and budget; you can read it and the supporting documents on the council's page.
Source: Hawkesbury City Council — Community Strategic Plan (Our Hawkesbury 2045)
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