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
Horsham's direction is set by the Horsham 2041 Community Vision, revised in 2025, and the Council Plan 2025–2029, both developed with community engagement after the 2024 election. The vision reads: 'In 2041, Horsham Rural City is the vibrant, liveable heart of the region, thriving on growth and social connectedness. Empowering people to live, work and access opportunities for wellbeing, recreation and culture, now and into the future.'
The Council Plan has four themes and 15 strategies: Liveability — 'A healthy, connected and vibrant community that supports people to live, work and thrive'; Sustainability — 'A region that grows sustainably and protects what matters'; Accessibility — 'A municipality that is easy to access, move through and participate in'; and Leadership — 'A trusted and capable Council that leads with integrity and responsibility'. Each year's budget funds services and initiatives under these themes.
The 2026–27 budget, the first by the council elected in 2024, keeps a 'business as usual' level of service across more than 75 services. It raises general rates and the municipal charge within the 2.75% cap, keeps the municipal charge at $200, and funds a $24.1 million capital works program, including the start of the Wesley Performing Arts Centre refurbishment, the Kenny Road Transfer Station upgrade, lighting at Haven tennis courts and Laharum's Cameron Oval, and over $7 million of bridge, road and street works. It budgets an underlying deficit of $10.7 million, which the council attributes mainly to $7 million of 2026–27 state grants being paid in 2025–26.
Underway now
Horsham Bypass planning
Route options evaluated Sep–Oct 2026; recommendations to Council planned for March 2027A project to identify a bypass route around Horsham that considers the Western, Henty and Wimmera Highways, mainly to take trucks out of the town centre, and possibly to provide a second crossing of the Wimmera River. The council's timeline had a community reference group appointed in March 2026 and setting evaluation criteria in June–July 2026, and has community submissions on the evaluation outcomes from November 2026 to January 2027.
Source: Horsham Rural City Council — Horsham Bypass Planning
The Wesley redevelopment
Proposed acquisition notice closed 24 Sep 2026; final decision pendingThe council plans to acquire and redevelop the Wesley Performing Arts and Cultural Centre at 17A Roberts Avenue, closed since 2017, as a performing arts and cultural venue. It gave public notice of the proposed acquisition under section 112 of the Local Government Act 2020 and says it will consider submissions before deciding. The 2026–27 budget allocates $2.28 million over two years, part funded by a new $1.139 million loan.
Planned / committed
Raised pedestrian crossings on Baillie Street and in Horsham West
Community survey closed 23 August 2026Proposed raised crossings at five locations — Baillie and Hillary Streets, Baillie Street near Horsham College and Federation University, Baillie Street near Wimmera Base Hospital, Hillary and Kirwood Streets, and Mathoura and Kooyong Streets — with a formal 40 km/h zone near the hospital. The council cites injury crash records at these locations from 2012 to 2023.
Central Park Community Play Space
Design complete; seeking federal and state fundingRedeveloping the Horsham Skate Park in central Horsham as a multi-use play space with a learner skate and scoot bowl, an all-weather pump track, a multi-purpose court, accessible play equipment, shade and lighting. The council puts the project at $2.5 million, with a $250,000 council commitment.
Source: Horsham Rural City Council — Central Park Community Play Space
Glass bin collection review
Consulted November 2025; final report pending (Feb 2026 update)A proposal to empty purple-lid glass bins every eight weeks instead of every four. The council says only 18% of households put their glass bin out each collection and bins are on average less than a quarter full; it estimates the change would save about $32,000 a year. Households needing more room could ask for a second 120-litre glass bin at no extra charge.
Source: Horsham Rural City Council — Have Your Say: Glass Recycling Collection Review