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
Hay Shire's direction is set out in its Community Strategic Plan 2025–2035 and a Delivery Plan 2025–2029 with an annual Operational Plan and budget, under the council's stated vision 'Exciting Heritage... Positive Future'. Current work is dominated by the new three-bin waste service, the rebuilt town swimming pool, a community-led economic transition roadmap, and the council's role in the South West Renewable Energy Zone.
The council manages local roads, water and sewer, waste, parks, the library, the aerodrome and planning across an 11,326 km² LGA of about 2,861 people, on an economy of merino wool, sheep meat, beef feedlots, irrigated cropping (including rice), horticulture and road freight. Its Operational Plan 2026–2027 groups what it does into four focus areas — Social, Environmental, Economic and Civic Leadership — sitting under the Delivery Plan prepared by the newly elected council for its four-year term. Hay is a member of the Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation (RAMJO).
The council's 2026–27 Revenue Policy lifts total rate yield by the 4.8% permissible rate-pegging amount, with water and sewer charges up 4.8% and waste charges up 7.5% to cover the transition to the three-bin system (domestic waste management charge $600 per service per year). Against the OLG's 2023–24 benchmarks Hay met 7 of 9, missing own-source revenue (28.2% against >60%) and rates outstanding (13.2% against <10%) — the own-source figure reflects how much of a very small rate base is supplemented by grants. In July 2025 the council publicly called for reform of cost shifting from other levels of government.
Underway now
Three-bin kerbside waste service
Operating in the Hay township; 2026 collection calendar publishedCouncil has moved the Hay township to a three-bin kerbside service — a 240L green-lidded organics bin collected weekly, plus 240L yellow recycling and red general-waste bins collected fortnightly on alternate weeks. Households received a kitchen caddy and compostable liners with the service. The service is compulsory inside the town boundary and optional for some nearby areas; Booligal and Maude are served by 24-hour waste trailers at their village recreation grounds instead. The 2026–27 Revenue Policy records a 7.5% rise in waste charges to cover the transition, with the domestic waste management charge set at $600 per service per year.
Hay Region Economic Transition Roadmap
Roadmap published; early actions in progressCouncil worked with The Next Economy and more than 250 local residents on a community-led economic transition roadmap, setting out seven 'accelerator' actions to build regional capacity — including dedicated coordinators for housing and workforce development. Council says groundwork is already progressing on three of them: updating the Local Environmental Plan to unlock infill housing, securing property to increase local childcare capacity, and strengthening workforce capability through the Country University Centre.
South West Renewable Energy Zone — community benefit framework
Three guiding documents finalised; projects in planningHay sits inside the NSW Government's South West Renewable Energy Zone, which runs between the Dinawan and Buronga substations. Council has finalised three documents to guide how it deals with developers: a Community Benefit Framework, terms of reference for a Renewable Energy Benefit Fund Committee, and a set of Renewable Energy Position Statements. Projects near Hay include the Pottinger Energy Park (about 60 km south) and the Bullawah Wind Farm (about 36 km south-east). These are State Significant developments, so the NSW Government — not the council — is the consent authority.
Source: Hay Shire Council — South West Renewable Energy Zone
Planned / committed
North and South Hay Levee Upgrade feasibility study
Community information session 22 July 2026Council is running a feasibility study into upgrading the North and South Hay levees, and held a community information session at 5.30pm on Wednesday 22 July 2026 in the CWA/RSL Room at the Kay Hull Centre (Library Complex), 204 Lachlan Street, to present the work and take questions.
Recently delivered
John Houston Memorial Swimming Pool replacement
Construction 3 March – 3 December 2025; grand opening 19 December 2025Council rebuilt the John Houston Memorial Swimming Pool in Hay, with construction running from 3 March to 3 December 2025 and a grand opening on Friday 19 December 2025. The replacement facility opened for the 2025–26 season; from 2 April 2026 council introduced unsupervised access at the pool as the season drew to a close.
Source: Hay Shire Council — Pool Opening