NSW · New England North West · Local council, made simple
Inverell Shire Council
A large rural shire in the New England North West, on the Macintyre River — around 18,000 people across the town of Inverell (the 'Sapphire City') and villages like Ashford, Delungra, Gilgai and Yetman, with Copeton Dam supplying the district's water. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, roads, water, libraries, parks, development — and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, then the stuff that affects your week.
Everyday essentials
The things people actually need from the council — fast.
Open for your feedback
See all →Things Inverell Shire Council wants your say on right now. Your view counts for more before the deadline.
- Open — see source for the closing date
Feedback, Requests and Enquiries
Have your say → - Open — see source for the closing date
After Hours Emergency Contacts
Have your say → - Open — see source for the closing date
Lodge a Citizens Request
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 it compares across NSW, and why bills differ.
2025–26 rate peg: 3.2%
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets 8 of 9 OLG financial benchmarks
Open →Crime & safetyInverell's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
2 of 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Kate Dight (Independent)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, and how voting works.
Next election: Sat 9 Sep 2028
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council and report a problem.
Customer service: (02) 6728 8288
Open →Shire profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~18,080 (2023–24)
Open →What's happening
14 updatesAuto-collected from Inverell Shire Council's public channels and drafted in plain language (pending review).
- Council meeting
Strategy & Policy Committee Meeting
Strategy & Policy Committee Meeting
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Event
Disclosure Log of Access Applications (GIPA)
Disclosure Log of Access Applications (GIPA)
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Event
Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009
Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Event
Economic & Community Sustainability Committee
Economic & Community Sustainability Committee
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Event
After Hours Emergency Contacts
After Hours Emergency Contacts
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Event
Lodge a Citizens Request
Lodge a Citizens Request
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Event
Advisory & Community Committees
Advisory & Community Committees
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Event
Civil & Environmental Services Committee
Civil & Environmental Services Committee
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Event
Fit for the Future
Fit for the Future
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
S375A Record of Voting on Planning Matters
S375A Record of Voting on Planning Matters
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Feedback, Requests and Enquiries
Feedback, Requests and Enquiries
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Council adopts 2026/2027 Operational Plan and Budget
Inverell Shire Council adopted its 2026/2027 Operational Plan and Budget on 19 June 2026, using the full IPART rate peg of 3.2% and continuing all existing programs and services at current levels with no service cuts. No community submissions were received during the public exhibition period.
What this means for you: General rates income rises by the 3.2% rate peg for 2026–27; the council says services continue at current levels. Your individual bill still depends on your land value relative to other properties.
Source: Inverell Shire Council — Council adopts 2026/2027 Operational Plan and Budget
- Development
Copeton Northern Foreshores upgrade progressing
Work is continuing on the roughly $5 million upgrade of the Copeton Northern Foreshores at Copeton Dam, supported by the NSW Government, to improve recreation and tourism facilities at the district's main water storage.
What this means for you: If you use Copeton Dam for recreation, the foreshore facilities are being upgraded; the dam is also the district's main water supply on the Macintyre River.
- Election
Kelvin Brown declared elected via countback
Following the resignation of former mayor Paul Harmon in February 2025, Kelvin Brown was declared elected to Inverell Shire Council through a countback of the September 2024 election, on 8 April 2025.
What this means for you: The council's roster changed mid-term without a by-election: a countback re-uses the 2024 ballots to fill the casual vacancy. The council's official page has the current list of councillors.
Source: Inverell Shire Council — Councillors (Your Representatives)
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Inverell Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.