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
Hilltops Council's direction is set out in the Hilltops Community Strategic Plan 2042, a Delivery Program 2025–2029 and an annual Operational Plan and budget (adopted 28 May 2025), backed by a Resourcing Strategy including a 10-year Long Term Financial Plan.
The council manages local roads, water and sewer, waste, libraries, parks, saleyards and planning across a large rural LGA in the South West Slopes centred on Young, Boorowa and Harden-Murrumburrah. Its Delivery Program is the elected council's statement of commitment for its term, translating the community's long-term vision into four-year actions.
Financial sustainability is a recurring budget theme: the council reported an operating deficit in 2023–24 and meets 3 of the 9 OLG benchmarks, decided against a special rate variation in 2023, and in 2026 adopted its Operational Plan without an SRV while reviewing operational efficiencies (contractor/consultant use and fleet management).
Underway now
Financial sustainability & operational-efficiency review
SRV declined 2023; efficiency review ongoing 2025–26With an operating deficit and only 3 of 9 OLG benchmarks met, financial sustainability is a live theme. The council decided against a special rate variation in 2023 after community consultation, and in 2026 adopted its Operational Plan without an SRV, instead reviewing operational efficiencies such as contractor and consultant use and fleet management.
Source: Young Witness — Rates or reduced services? Hilltops faces budget trade-off
Digital water monitoring across the Hilltops region
Announced Jun 2026The council is rolling out digital water-meter monitoring technology across the region, part of its focus on water and sewer security for the towns it services.
Source: Hilltops Council — News (Digital Water Monitoring Coming to the Hilltops Region)
Young Trunk Drainage Upgrade
In progress 2025–26A stormwater trunk-drainage upgrade project in Young, part of the council's infrastructure renewal program.
Source: Hilltops Council — News