What the council is working on
Recent deliveries, what's underway now, and what's planned next — drawn from the council's own plans, budgets and project pages. We report what the council has publicly said it's doing; every item links to its source.
The council's stated direction
Mildura's direction is set by its Community Vision 2021–2040, which almost 2,000 people contributed to in 2021 and which was reviewed and updated in 2025, and by the Council Plan 2025–2029. The council says more than 3,000 pieces of feedback informed the Council Plan. Its stated vision is: 'We are a liveable, people friendly community.'
The Council Plan follows the five themes of the Community Vision, each with an outcome statement: Environment — 'The natural environment is flourishing'; Community — 'We are a healthy community'; Place — 'People love being here'; Economy — 'The economy is thriving'; and Leadership — 'The community trust us'. Each year's budget funds the services and initiatives under these five directions.
The 2026–27 budget, endorsed by councillors in late June 2026, funds $164.26 million of services and a $48.9 million capital works program, with an adjusted underlying deficit of $0.04 million. It raises average base rates by the 2.75% cap and keeps waste charges unchanged. The council says it found about $5 million in new and recurring savings, and that cost shifting from the state and federal governments costs the community about $5 million a year. Named projects include the Nichols Point Early Years Hub, the Sarah Oval social clubroom upgrade and the Underbool Pool renewal.
- Mildura Rural City Council — Community Vision & Council Plan · Sep 2026
- Mildura Rural City Council — Council Budget 2026-27, section 1.3 Strategic objectives (PDF) · 2026–27
- Mildura Rural City Council — 2026-27 Budget delivers healthy capital works program, $5m cost saving (1 Jul 2026) · Jul 2026
- Mildura Rural City Council — Advocacy Initiatives and Projects (Cost of Living Advocacy Roadmap 2026) · Sep 2026
Underway now
Nichols Point Early Years Hub
35% complete, on track (council works update, May 2026)A four-room, 132-place kindergarten in a new building on the old Nichols Point Primary School site, with the old school building refitted as an early years hub with consultation rooms and community meeting and activity spaces. Built by a local contractor; the 2026–27 budget funds its construction.
Source: Mildura Rural City Council — Nichols Point Early Years Hub
CBD Revitalisation Project
Part of the Mildura CBD Plan 2020–2035Work to revitalise Mildura's city centre, including the Langtree Mall placemaking projects and a council-endorsed concept to upgrade Feast Street, alongside an economic feasibility study, an investment prospectus and a connectivity study for the mall and upper Langtree Avenue.
Source: Mildura Rural City Council — CBD Revitalisation Project
Planned / committed
Mildura Riverfront Adventure Playspace
Concept design stage; funding still being soughtA new playspace at Jaycee Park on the riverfront. The draft concept includes a paddlesteamer-themed play structure with a six-metre slide, a giant Murray cod play feature, a flying fox, shade, seating and barbecues. The council says it will finalise the design after consultation and continue seeking funding.
Source: Mildura Rural City Council — Mildura Riverfront Adventure Playspace
Short Stay Budget Accommodation Strategy
Community input open (Your Say, Sep 2026)A strategy on affordable short-stay accommodation for visitors and seasonal workers, such as camping, caravan parks and backpacker-style stays. A background report and an issues and opportunities paper are published, and the council is inviting residents, seasonal workers and visitors to have their say.
Source: Mildura Rural City Council — Your Say: Short Stay Budget Accommodation Strategy
Recently delivered
Kerbside glass bin
Started 1 July 2024A fourth, purple-lid 120-litre bin for glass bottles and jars, emptied every four weeks, introduced to meet the state's four-bin requirement. The council says collected glass is crushed at a facility at the Mildura Landfill for use in local construction.