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NSW · Hunter · Local council, made simple

Lake Macquarie City Council

A large lakeside city in the Hunter, wrapped around Australia's biggest coastal saltwater lake — around 221,900 people across suburbs from Charlestown and Warners Bay to Toronto and Swansea. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, roads, beaches, libraries, development — and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, then the stuff that affects your week.

City profile
Population: ~221,900 (2024)
Mayor & councillors
Mayor: Adam Shultz (Labor)
Elections & voting
Next election: Sat 9 Sep 2028
Crime & safety
Most major offences near the NSW rate
The Lake Macquarie council area (official LGA boundary). Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Everyday essentials

The things people actually need from the council — fast.

Bins & recycling

When's my bin day?

Your collection days and what goes in each bin.

Check bin day →Report a problem

Something needs fixing?

Potholes, dumped rubbish, broken lights — how to report it to Lake Macquarie.

How to report →

Open for your feedback

See all →

Things Lake Macquarie City Council wants your say on right now. Your view counts for more before the deadline.

Get to know your council

The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.

Rates & fees

This year's rate rise, how it compares across NSW, and why bills differ.

2025–26 rate peg: 4.5%

Open →Budget & finances

How financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.

Meets 6 of 9 OLG financial benchmarks

Open →Crime & safety

Lake Macquarie's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.

Most major offences near the NSW rate

Open →Mayor & councillors

Who represents you, by ward — and where to read their official profiles.

Mayor: Adam Shultz (Labor)

Open →Elections & voting

When the next council election is, and how voting works.

Next election: Sat 9 Sep 2028

Open →Contact & services

How to reach the council and report a problem.

Customer service: (02) 4921 0333

Open →City profile

The basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.

Population: ~221,900 (2024)

Open →
What the council is working onRecent deliveries, what's underway and what's planned next — each with a source.Priorities →

What's happening

21 updates

Auto-collected from Lake Macquarie City Council's public channels and drafted in plain language (pending review).

Email alerts aren't switched on yet

We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Lake Macquarie City Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.