VIC · Gippsland — Latrobe Valley · Local council, made simple
Latrobe City Council
Latrobe City Council is the council for the Latrobe Valley in Gippsland, home to about 79,000 people in Traralgon, Morwell, Moe–Newborough, Churchill and smaller towns such as Boolarra, Glengarry, Toongabbie and Yinnar. Nine councillors, one per ward, choose the Mayor for a 12-month term. The council runs your bins, local roads and footpaths, parks, libraries 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.
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 within the 2.75% cap; instalments only
Open →Budget & financesLatrobe City's financial indicators, each shown next to the Victorian median.
Average rate per property: $1,746 (Vic median $1,937)
Open →Crime & safetyLatrobe City's recorded offence rates, side by side with the Victorian rate.
All 11 offence rates above the Victorian rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsYour ward councillor, the Mayor, and how to contact them.
Mayor: Cr Sharon Gibson (2025–2026)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, the 2026 Morwell River Ward by-election, and the 2024 results.
Next general election: Saturday 28 October 2028
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council: phone, email, offices and hours.
Phone: 1300 367 700
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: 79,112 (ABS, June 2025)
Open →What's happening
6 updatesRecent items from Latrobe City Council's public channels, in plain language.
We check Latrobe City Council's website every day, but we can't read it. It refuses requests from our collector, so anything below was recorded by hand and may be out of date. This says nothing about what the council has published — these are the pages we watch:
- Event
Latrobe City Business Festival returns
The council, with support from Regional Development Victoria, announced the 2026 Latrobe City Business Festival, with a focus on jobs, innovation and growth, and is inviting local participation.
What this means for you: Local businesses can check the council's announcement for events and how to take part.
- Event
Positive Ageing Festival returns in October
The council's Positive Ageing Festival runs in October 2026, with more than 100 events and activities.
What this means for you: The council's announcement lists what's on.
- Development
Maryvale Reserve pavilion upgrade completed
The council has completed a major upgrade to the Maryvale Reserve pavilion and sporting facilities.
What this means for you: Clubs and hirers can contact the council about using the upgraded facilities.
- Election
Rob Moffatt elected councillor for Morwell River Ward
The VEC declared Rob Moffatt elected at the Morwell River Ward by-election, held after Cr Tracie Lund resigned. Five candidates stood; turnout was 69.16% of 6,498 enrolled voters.
What this means for you: If you live in Morwell River Ward, Cr Moffatt is your ward councillor. Enrolled voters who didn't vote may receive an 'apparent failure to vote' notice from the VEC.
Source: Victorian Electoral Commission — Morwell River Ward by-election results
- Development
Draft Moe Activity Centre Plan endorsed for exhibition
Council endorsed the draft Moe Activity Centre Plan, which sets a long-term vision for the Moe town centre and will inform Planning Scheme Amendment C155. The council will seek the Planning Minister's authorisation to exhibit it.
What this means for you: If authorisation is granted, the amendment will be on public exhibition in late 2026, when you can make a submission.
Source: Latrobe City Council — News
- Policy
2026/27 budget adopted; FOGO starts and the lump-sum option ends
Council adopted its 2026/27 budget on 29 June 2026. Average rates rise by the 2.75% state cap and the waste services charge by $25 for a standard set of three bins, as food scraps are added to the organics bin from 1 July 2026. From 1 July rates are paid in four instalments, with no separate lump-sum due date.
What this means for you: The first instalment, or the whole amount if you prefer to pay in one go, is due on 30 September 2026.
Source: Latrobe City Council — Budget
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Latrobe City Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.