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
The council's direction is set by its Council Plan 2025–2029, which includes the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan. Each year the council adopts a set of Council Plan Actions alongside the Budget; the 2026/2027 Actions were adopted on 29 July 2026 after deliberative engagement and public feedback from 4 June to 2 July 2026. Key actions include advocating for replacement of the Jeparit Weir, supporting local business and tourism, improving community facilities and public spaces, and maintaining and renewing roads.
The council's vision: 'Working together to welcome new possibilities and create vibrant towns, connected communities and opportunities for all.' The Council Plan groups its strategic objectives under four key result areas.
The 2026/2027 Budget, adopted on 24 June 2026, raises the average general rate and the municipal charge in line with the 2.75% state cap and funds $6.435 million of capital works, of which the council says $4.411 million goes to roads, kerb and channel and footpaths — including $2.416 million of sealed road construction, $602,000 of unsealed road construction and $572,000 of reseals. Key initiatives named by the council include reconstructing 1.4 km of the Dimboola–Minyip Road, a raised pedestrian crossing in Hindmarsh Street, Dimboola, reconstruction of the Nhill–Diapur Road and the Woorak–Ni Ni–Lorquon Road, $430,000 for the Dimboola Pool, and a FOGO processing unit at the Dimboola Transfer Station. The council forecasts an operating deficit of $1.43 million and no borrowing.
- Hindmarsh Shire Council — Council Plan (Council Plan 2025–2029 and annual actions) · Sep 2026
- Hindmarsh Shire Council — Council Plan 2025–2029 and Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan (PDF) · 2025–2029
- Hindmarsh Shire Council — Council Sets Goals for 2026/2027 (news, 30 Jul 2026) · 30 Jul 2026
- Hindmarsh Shire Council — Vision, Values and Mission · Sep 2026
- Hindmarsh Shire Council — 2026/2027 Annual Budget (PDF; Mayor and CEO's introduction, §1.3 strategic objectives, §4.5 capital works) · 2026–27
- Hindmarsh Shire Council — Hindmarsh Shire Annual Budget 2026/2027 Adopted (news, 25 Jun 2026) · 25 Jun 2026
Planned / committed
Food and garden organics (FOGO) kerbside service
To start on or before 1 July 2027; processing-facility EOI closes 22 October 2026The council chose a fortnightly FOGO bin with weekly rubbish collection for urban properties, the option most survey respondents preferred. It is working with neighbouring councils on a local processing facility and has called for expressions of interest for an organics processing facility at the Dimboola Transfer Station. New green-lid bins will be purchased and rollout details announced later.
Jeparit Weir replacement — design and planning
Disaster Ready Fund application of $820,000 lodged, announced 30 July 2026A feasibility study funded by the Wimmera Catchment Management Authority found the 1902 weir at the end of its life and unsafe to operate, and recommended full replacement at an estimated cost of about $5.4 million. The council has applied to the Australian Government's Disaster Ready Fund for detailed design and planning, and says it cannot fund replacement on its own.
Dimboola Swimming Pool upgrade
On hold after tenders exceeded the budget, announced 22 July 2026Tenders for the upgrade — an all-abilities ramp, wet deck, hydraulic, concourse and plant-room works — came in above the approximately $1.4 million budget, which includes a $1 million Sport and Recreation Victoria grant. The council is asking SRV to hold the grant while it seeks more funding, including from the federal Growing Regions Fund. The council says the pool will open as usual for the 2026/2027 season.
Dimboola–Minyip Road reconstruction
Construction expected in 2026/2027Reconstruction and widening of a 1.4 km section between the Dimboola-East Road and Katyil-Wail Road intersections, funded with $364,000 from the federal Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program and a $91,000 council contribution.
Lower speed limit on Winiam East Road, Nhill
Application to the Department of Transport and Planning endorsed 26 August 2026The council will ask the State to cut the limit from 80 km/h to 60 km/h on 250 metres of Winiam East Road south of the Western Highway, and to add rumble strips and 50 km/h signs on Rethus Drive. The council says the limit doesn't change until the Department approves it, and it will tell the community first.
Source: Hindmarsh Shire Council — Proposed speed reduction for Winiam East Road (news, 1 Sep 2026)
Rainbow Early Years Hub
Federal funding application unsuccessful, announced 15 July 2026An integrated early years hub at Rainbow P-12 College — kindergarten, long day care and other early years services — proposed with Emerge Early Years Services. The Building Early Education Fund application was unsuccessful; the council says it will keep advocating for funding.
Source: Hindmarsh Shire Council — Grant Update: Rainbow Early Years Hub (news, 15 Jul 2026)