NSW · Mid North Coast · Local council, made simple
MidCoast Council
A large, multi-centre LGA on the NSW Mid North Coast, about 300 km north of Sydney — around 98,600 people spread across Taree, Forster–Tuncurry, Gloucester and Wingham, plus dozens of smaller coastal, lake and hinterland towns, formed in 2016 from the former Gloucester Shire, Great Lakes and Greater Taree councils. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, roads, water and sewer, libraries, planning — 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.
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.
2026–27 rate peg: 3.10%
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets 7 of 9 OLG financial benchmarks
Open →Crime & safetyMidCoast's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
4 of 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Claire Pontin (Labor, elected by councillors)
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) 7955 7777
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~98,600 · 4 main centres, no single 'city'
Open →What's happening
3 updatesRecent items from MidCoast Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Policy
Council reveals $24m funding shortfall, approves 3.10% rate rise
At its 29 June 2026 meeting, MidCoast Council revealed a $24 million-a-year federal-funding shortfall and voted to apply the full IPART-permitted 3.10% increase to general rates for 2026–27.
What this means for you: Your general rates are rising by the maximum allowed for 2026–27; the council says this doesn't fully cover its rising costs and hasn't had a community-approved Special Rate Variation since 2016.
Source: Great Lakes Advocate — Mid-Coast Council: rates hiked after $24m funding crisis revealed
- Development
Council objects to Sanderling Avenue (Hawks Nest) development in current form
MidCoast Council lodged a submission opposing, in its current form, a State Significant Development application for three residential flat buildings up to four storeys at Sanderling Avenue, Hawks Nest, citing scale, stormwater, biodiversity and traffic concerns.
What this means for you: If you live near Hawks Nest, the council has formally raised concerns with the NSW Department of Planning, which — not the council — is the consent authority for this State Significant Development.
Source: Australian Rural & Regional News — MidCoast Council lodges submission on Sanderling Avenue SSD
- Have your say
Have your say on future residential development land at Wingham
The council identified land at Wingham for future residential development to help increase local housing supply, and invited community feedback on the proposal.
What this means for you: If you live in or near Wingham, you can review the proposed development area and make a submission while it's open for community input.
Source: MidCoast Council — Have Your Say on development at Wingham
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