NSW · Central West · Local council, made simple
Mid-Western Regional Council
A large Central West council centred on Mudgee — around 26,000 people across Mudgee, Gulgong, Rylstone, Kandos and a wide spread of villages, in a region known for its wine, its gold-rush and cement-town history, and coal mining. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, water, roads, libraries, parks — 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 Mid-Western Regional Council wants your say on right now. Your view counts for more before the deadline.
- Open — see source for the closing date
Mortimer Street Precinct
Have your say → - Open — see source for the closing date
Mudgee Indoor Pool Update
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: 3.8%
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets 7 of 9 OLG financial benchmarks
Open →Crime & safetyMid-Western's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
5 of 12 major offences below the NSW rate — read the context
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Des Kennedy
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) 6378 2850
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~26,000 (2023–24)
Open →What's happening
15 updatesAuto-collected from Mid-Western Regional Council's public channels and drafted in plain language (pending review).
- Policy
Record $3.67 Million boost from sell-out NRL clash
Published on 03 August 2026 Saturday’s sold-out Penrith Panthers v Canberra Raiders match at Club Mudgee Stadium has delivered the largest estimated economic benefit generated by a single NRL game hosted in the region.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
New Statewide Community Participation Plan
Published on 03 September 2026 The NSW Government has introduced a new statewide Community Participation Plan, which came into effect this week (1 September 2026) and changes how some planning and development matters are notified and publicly exhibited across the Mid-Western Region.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Events Assistance Opening Tuesday
Published on 26 August 2026 Council is offering local events up to $3000 funding and in-kind support through its bi-annual Events Assistance Program opening on Tuesday (1 September).
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Influential twentieth century artist's works coming to Mudgee
Published on 17 August 2026 An exhibition of prints by one of the twentieth century's most influential artists, Roy Lichtenstein, will be on display at Mudgee Arts Precinct next month.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
The Village hosts half of the NRL's top ten in first year
Published on 30 July 2026 Mudgee Team Training Village has celebrated a standout first year of operation, hosting five of the NRL’s top ten performing clubs and some of Australia’s leading sporting organisations.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
The Village launches new podcast
Published on 29 July 2026 Australian broadcast icon Ken Sutcliffe has returned to his roots in the recording booth, joining the all-new Mudgee Team Training Village podcast, Inside the Village.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Highly anticipated Sam Paine exhibition
Published on 13 August 2026 Mudgee Arts Precinct is proud to present A Year in Mudgee, a new exhibition by local artist Sam Paine, celebrating the changing landscapes and seasons of the Mid-Western Region.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Panthers V Raiders: Getting to the game
Published on 23 July 2026 Mudgee is gearing up for a huge crowd as the Penrith Panthers and Canberra Raiders return to Club Mudgee Stadium for the NRL Telstra Premiership Round 22 clash on Saturday, 1 August 2026.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Mudgee Town Centre Growth Strategy and Master Plan
Council is preparing a Mudgee Town Centre Growth Strategy and Master Plan to guide the future growth and development of the town centre and its surrounding areas over the next 20-30 years.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Mortimer Street Precinct
Provide feedback to help shape pre-planning for the Mortimer Street Precinct.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Mudgee Indoor Pool Update
The business case for an indoor pool in Mudgee has progressed with an interim report presented to Council in September.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Mudgee Flood Risk Management Study and Plan 2026
View a detailed assessment of flood behaviour in Mudgee, received since the previous 2021 Mudgee Flood Study.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Development
Council begins Mudgee Town Centre growth strategy and master plan
Mid-Western Regional Council is asking residents, workers and business owners to help shape a long-term growth strategy and master plan for the Mudgee town centre, guiding development over the next 20–30 years. A community survey is open via the council's website, closing 15 May 2026, with draft outcomes expected mid to late 2026.
What this means for you: The plan will influence how Mudgee's CBD and surrounding areas can grow and change; the council's page sets out how to take part in the consultation.
Source: Mudgee Guardian — Mudgee Town Centre: Council maps future, balancing character
- Policy
Residents invited to propose projects for the 2026/27 budget
Mid-Western Regional Council opened its annual 'Community Plan Proposal' process, inviting residents to suggest projects for the 2026/27 budget between 24 November 2025 and 9 January 2026. Mayor Des Kennedy described it as the simplest way for residents to tell the council what they would like to see happen in the region.
What this means for you: It is a formal channel for residents to put forward local project ideas for council consideration in next year's budget; the council's page explains how to lodge a proposal.
Source: Mudgee Guardian — Mid-Western residents: Share ideas for 2026/27 budget
- Development
Council revives Mudgee indoor pool project with new design work
Mid-Western Regional Council voted at its October 2025 meeting to restart the long-delayed Mudgee indoor pool project, allocating $45,000 for updated design and feasibility work to test cheaper options and alternative sites. The council has said the full project would require state or federal funding.
What this means for you: The design work is an early step, not a commitment to build; it will report back on likely cost, siting and how the project might be funded.
Source: Mudgee Guardian — Funding challenges in Mudgee's pool project revival
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We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Mid-Western Regional Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.