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
The council's direction is set by its Council Plan 2025–2029, adopted on 25 June 2025, working towards the Community Vision 2030. A Year 1 update of the plan was adopted in June 2026, with the 2026/27 budget.
The Community Vision 2030, developed from consultation in 2020–21 with more than 450 people, reads: 'We embrace our natural environment and lifestyle options to create an inspiring place for everyone to live, work and play.' The Council Plan has four strategic objectives: healthy, inclusive and safe communities; a dynamic and resilient local economy; places and spaces that meet the needs of our many and varied communities; and a Council that engages and adapts.
The 2026/27 budget, adopted on 24 June 2026, raises the average rate by 2.75% and plans a $33.2 million capital works program, of which $21.958 million is new works. Listed projects include $2 million towards the Bacchus Marsh indoor aquatic centre, the shire-wide road reseal program ($1.8m), Ballan-Meredith Road at Morrisons ($1.3m), Spargo Creek Road ($0.9m), local traffic safety works ($1.2m), playground renewals in Wallace and Darley ($0.78m), MARC stadium grandstand seating ($0.675m), and footpath, car parking and tree planting works in Mount Egerton.
- Moorabool Shire Council — Council Plan and Community Vision · Sep 2026
- Moorabool Shire Council — Adopted 2026/27 Annual Budget (PDF) · 2026–27
- Moorabool Shire Council — Council adopts 2026/27 Budget (26 Jun 2026) · Jun 2026
- Moorabool Shire Council — Council Plan 2025-29 Year 1 update adopted (26 Jun 2026) · Jun 2026
Underway now
Indoor aquatic centre at the MARC, Bacchus Marsh
Construction due to start in 2026–27A $50 million indoor aquatic centre at the Moorabool Aquatic and Recreation Centre, funded $25m by the Australian Government, $10m by the Victorian Government and $15m by the council. The federal funding agreement was signed in May 2026, and the 2026/27 budget allocates $2 million. The council ran an expression of interest for building contractors that closed on 20 July 2026.
Source: Moorabool Shire Council — Indoor aquatic centre closer following federal funding agreement
Griffith Street shared paths, Maddingley
Works starting September 2026; completion expected mid-2027Stage 1 builds off-road shared paths on both sides of Griffith Street and upgrades service lanes on the southern side. About 30 sugar gums on the southern side are being removed, with replacement planting. Jointly funded by the council, the Australian Government and the Transport Accident Commission.
Source: Moorabool Shire Council — New path for Griffith Street, Maddingley
Council position on the Western Renewables Link
Minister for Planning's assessment released 14 September 2026The Western Renewables Link is a proposed transmission line through the shire. The council took part in the Inquiry and Advisory Committee hearing. In September 2026 it said it was disappointed that the Minister's assessment didn't adopt the committee's recommendation on the route near Darley, and raised concerns about servicing arrangements for a proposed workforce accommodation facility in Ballan. It has written to the Premier and the Minister. This is the council's stated position.
Planned / committed
Food and garden organics (FOGO) service
Bins delivered April–June 2027; collections from 1 July 2027A mandatory FOGO service for households in the urban areas (Bacchus Marsh, Darley, Hopetoun Park, Maddingley, Ballan township) and Gordon, as part of the Victorian Government's statewide waste reforms. Organics will be composted at Pinegro in Mount Wallace.
Source: Moorabool Shire Council — Food Organics & Garden Organics Service
Moorabool Library Strategy 2027–2032
Consultation open until 10 October 2026The council is asking residents what they want from library services over the next five years, online and at the Lerderderg and Ballan libraries, the outreach van, markets and drop-in sessions.
Source: Moorabool Shire Council — Have your say: Help shape the future of Moorabool Libraries