VIC · Wimmera — Horsham · Local council, made simple
Horsham Rural City Council
Horsham Rural City Council covers the centre of the Wimmera in western Victoria — about 4,300 km² — and is home to about 20,000 people, around three-quarters of them in Horsham, with Natimuk and farming localities around it. Seven councillors, one per ward, choose the Mayor each year. The council runs your bins, local roads and footpaths, parks and planning, and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, followed by what affects your week.
Everyday essentials
The things people actually need from the council — fast.
Open for your feedback
See all →Things Horsham Rural City Council wants your say on right now. Your view counts for more before the deadline.
- Open — see source for the closing date
Baillie Street and Horsham West Pedestrian Safety Improvements
Have your say → - Open — see source for the closing date
Capital Works Priorities
Have your say → - Open — see source for the closing date
Active Horsham
Have your say →
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 your bill is worked out, and when it's due.
2026–27: rates and municipal charge within the 2.75% state cap; municipal charge stays $200
Open →Budget & financesHorsham's financial indicators, each shown next to the Victorian median.
Average rate per property: $2,228 (Vic median $1,937)
Open →Crime & safetyHorsham's recorded offence rates, side by side with the Victorian rate.
7 of 11 offence rates below the Victorian rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsYour ward councillor, the Mayor, and how to contact them.
Mayor: Cr Brian Klowss (2025–2026)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, and the 2024 results.
Next council election: Saturday 28 October 2028
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council: phone, email, office and hours.
Phone: 03 5382 9777
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: 20,252 (ABS, June 2025)
Open →What's happening
29 updatesAuto-collected from Horsham Rural City Council's public channels and drafted in plain language (pending review).
- Council meeting
Notice of Unscheduled Council Meeting - Monday 15 June
Expired on Wednesday, 10 June 2026 The following item of Business will be considered: Consideration of 2026/2027 Budget.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Council meeting
Notice of Rescheduled Council Meeting
Expired on Tuesday, 01 October 2024 The 23 September Council Meeting has been rescheduled to 30 September Tagged as: , Council Meetings
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Horsham to Host Volleyball Junior Country Championships
Published on 09 September 2026 Horsham will welcome some of Victoria's most promising young volleyball players when it hosts the 2026 Junior Country Championships – West from 25 to 27 September 2026. The tournament to be held at the Horsham Basketball Stadium, will bring together the best junior country volleyball talent from across Western Victoria in what is expected to be an exciting weekend of high-level competition.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Horsham welcomes 18 new Australian citizens
Published on 24 September 2026 The new citizens, who came from Fiji, India, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Argentina, the Philippines, Finland and New Zealand, made the Australian Citizenship Pledge in front of their families, friends, invited guests and Council representatives.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Council meeting
Notice of Unscheduled Council Meeting - Monday 11 May
Expired on Tuesday, 12 May 2026 The following item of Business will be considered: Awarding of Contract 26-016 for the Three Bridges Road Safety Upgrade works.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Development
Major Milestone Reached As Farm Frites Development Takes Shape
Published on 24 September 2026 The completion of the facility's main building structure marks the next phase of the project and provides a clear indication of the scale of the $300 million investment taking shape at the Wimmera Agriculture and Logistics Hub.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Council meeting
Notice of Council Meeting
Expired on Friday, 22 November 2024 Council will hold a meeting on Thursday 21 November Tagged as: , Council Meetings, General Public Notice
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Young people bring Music @ May to Horsham
Published on 09 September 2026 Young people are helping strengthen community connections and showcase emerging local talent through Music @ May, a free live music event created and delivered by Horsham Rural City Council's Amplify Committee, Youth Council and Youth Team. Designed by local young people aged 10 to 25, the event will bring people together for an afternoon of live music...
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Dyurrite Cultural Landscape Community Working Group Joint Statement
On Display Indefinitely Council is committed to working with all parties as per the joint statement Tagged as: , General Public Notice
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Western Councils Unite for a Safer, Stronger Western Highway
Published on 16 September 2026 The following media release was written in partnership with Western Highway Action Committee's member councils and coordinated by the WHAC Secretariat.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Council meeting
Notice of additional Council Meeting
Expired on Tuesday, 01 April 2025 Notice of additional Council Meeting on Monday 31 March, 2025 Tagged as: , Council Meetings
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Public notice issued for proposed acquisition of The Wesley
Published on 11 September 2026 The notice forms part of the process being undertaken in accordance with section 112 of the Local Government Act 2020 and Council’s Community Engagement Policy and follows Council’s July 2026 resolution to continue progressing the acquisition and redevelopment of the building.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Proposed Acquisition of 17A Roberts Ave, Horsham (Wesley Property)
Expired on Thursday, 24 September 2026 Proposed Acquisition of 17A Roberts Ave, Horsham (Wesley Property) Tagged as: , General Public Notice
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Intention to sell land: WAL Hub, Dooen
Expired on Thursday, 03 April 2025 Council gives notice under section 114 of the Local Government Act 2020 of its intention to sell land at the Wimmera Agricultural and Logistics Hub (WAL Hub), Henty Highway, Dooen Tagge
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Spring Clean-Up Weekend Encourages Residents to Get Ready for Summer
Published on 11 September 2026 Horsham Rural City Council is encouraging residents to make the most of a free green waste disposal weekend this October as part of a community-wide Spring Clean-Up Weekend initiative. The event will be held on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October and aims to support residents to undertake seasonal pruning, vegetation maintenance and general property clean-up ahead of summer.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Horsham Town Hall Hits High Note with String of Sold-Out Shows
Published on 24 September 2026 From world-class music acts and nationally touring performers to family favourites, comedy, ballet and locally produced theatre, audiences have embraced the venue's 2026 program in record numbers.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Development
Farm Frites plant at Dooen reaches construction milestone
The main building structure of the Farm Frites potato processing plant at the Wimmera Agriculture and Logistics Hub in Dooen is complete. The council describes it as a $300 million investment expected to process up to 250,000 tonnes of potatoes a year and create about 250 local jobs once operating.
What this means for you: This is a private development; the council's release doesn't give an opening date.
- Policy
Western Highway councils release joint advocacy prospectus
The Western Highway Action Committee, of 10 councils including Horsham, released a prospectus of priority upgrades from Melton to the South Australian border, including duplication between Buangor and Ararat and between Ararat and Stawell, and the Beaufort Bypass.
What this means for you: This is an advocacy position by the member councils; it isn't a funding announcement.
- Waste
Free green waste weekend, 3–4 October
Residents can drop off up to one cubic metre of green waste free per visit at the Horsham, Quantong and Mt Zero transfer stations on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October 2026, with no limit on visits. Larger loads pay only for the amount over 1 m³.
What this means for you: Check each transfer station's opening hours before you go.
- Have your say
Public notice on proposed acquisition of The Wesley
The council gave public notice of its intention to acquire the Wesley Performing Arts and Cultural Centre, following a July 2026 resolution to keep progressing its acquisition and redevelopment. Submissions were open until 9am on 24 September 2026.
What this means for you: The council says it will consider submissions before making a final decision.
- Event
2027 Australia Day Award nominations open
Nominations are open for Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Event of the Year. Nominees must be Australian citizens who live, work or volunteer in the municipality.
What this means for you: Nominate online or with a printed form from the Civic Centre by Friday 16 October 2026.
- Have your say
Baillie Street and Horsham West Pedestrian Safety Improvements
Proposed Raised Pedestrian Crossings – We Want Your Feedback Horsham Rural City Council is seeking community feedback on a series of proposed raised pedestrian crossings across central Horsham. The project aims to improve safety, accessibility and connectivity for pedestrians while supporting safer travel throughout the community.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Horsham Bypass Planning
Help shape the future of Horsham 🚧 Horsham Rural City Council is beginning early planning for a potential bypass connecting the Western, Henty and Wimmera Highways. The project responds to a long-standing community aspiration to reduce heavy vehicle traffic through the CBD while carefully considering impacts on homes, businesses and daily life.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Capital Works Priorities
🏗️ Capital Works Priorities 2026–27 Help shape where Council invests in our community We're planning our capital works program for the next four years and want your feedback before the Budget is finalised.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Active Horsham
A Municipal Active Recreation and Community Sport Strategy Horsham Rural City Council has drafted a 10-year Strategy to guide sport and active recreation across the community: the Active Horsham Strategy 2026–2036 .
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Play Spaces
Play for All - A Horsham Municipal Play Space Strategy A Municipal Play Space Strategy Horsham Rural City Council has developed Play for All – Horsham Municipal Play Space Strategy to guide the future of play across the municipality. Play is vital for health, wellbeing and social connection.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Draft Fees and Charges 2026-27
Draft Fees & Charges 2026–27 Have Your Say We're inviting community feedback on Council's proposed fees and charges for the 2026–27 financial year. About this project Each year, Council reviews the fees it charges for services, facilities and activities.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
C85hors - Heritage Amendment
What does the Planning Scheme Heritage Amendment C85hors (Heritage Amendment) do? Planning Scheme Amendment C85hors (Heritage Amendment) proposes to apply the Heritage Overlay to: 31 individual properties, 10 precincts 1 serial listing containing 6 silos This is in response to the findings and recommendations within the Horsham Heritage Study (2014) and Review of the Horsham Heritage Study 2025.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Waste
Glass Recycling Collection Review
Proposed Changes to Glass Recycling Bin Collections Engagement now closed. Thank you for the feedback.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
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We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Horsham Rural City Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.