VIC · Loddon — Castlemaine · Local council, made simple
Mount Alexander Shire Council
A shire of about 1,530 km² in central Victoria, home to about 21,000 people in Castlemaine, Maldon, Harcourt, Newstead, Campbells Creek, Chewton and smaller towns. The council runs your bins, local roads and drains, parks and pools, planning and community services, 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.
Open for your feedback
See all →Things Mount Alexander Shire Council wants your say on right now. Your view counts for more before the deadline.
- Open — see source for the closing date
Strong nature, stronger future
Have your say → - Open — see source for the closing date
Community Bushfire Recovery Hub
Have your say → - Open — see source for the closing date
Castlemaine town centre inclusive streets audit
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 your bill is worked out, and when it's due.
2026–27: average rate +2.75% (state cap)
Open →Budget & financesThe council's financial indicators, each shown next to the Victorian median.
Average rate per property: $1,885 (Vic median $1,937)
Open →Crime & safetyMount Alexander's recorded offence rates, side by side with the Victorian rate.
9 of 11 offence rates below the Victorian rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsYour ward councillor, the Mayor, and how to contact them.
Mayor: Cr Toby Heydon (since November 2025)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, how Mount Alexander votes, and the 2024 results.
Next election: Sat 28 Oct 2028 (by post)
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council: phone, office hours and address.
Phone: (03) 5471 1700
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: 20,939 (ABS, June 2025)
Open →What's happening
17 updatesAuto-collected from Mount Alexander Shire Council's public channels and drafted in plain language (pending review).
- Event
Community Christmas Celebration Grants awarded to 16 local groups
The council announced this year's Community Christmas Celebration Grants, including more funding for the Castlemaine Community Lunch and a new allocation for a community Christmas lunch in Harcourt, alongside the lunches in Newstead and Maldon.
What this means for you: Community Christmas lunches and local celebrations are planned across the shire; the council's announcement lists the groups funded.
- Policy
January 2026 fire event
January 2026 fire event
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Event
Community Christmas Celebration Grants awarded to 16 local groups
Published on 28 September 2026 Council is pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s Community Christmas Celebration Grants program.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Update on Maldon Museum Chimney and building works
Published on 22 September 2026 Mount Alexander Shire Council is continuing to progress plans for the repair of the damaged chimney at the Maldon Museum.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Wellbeing Economy Business Fund grant applications open
Published on 14 September 2026 Council invites local businesses and business groups to apply for grants of up to $5,000 through the Wellbeing Economy Business Fund.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Malamiya Mang Then & Now 2026
29 Sep 2026 Malamiya Mang Then & Now 2026 29 September 2026 A diverse program of free and low-cost community events showcasing Dja Dja Wurrung art and culture. Taking place on Djandak (Djaara Country) this September.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Event
The Newstead Young Writers Festival
11 Oct 2026 The Newstead Young Writers Festival 11 October 2026 Held every two years at the Newstead Arts Hub, the festival is a unique celebration of ideas, creativity and the art of weaving a good yarn. Young people of school age and their families are invited to explore writing in all its forms—from stories, poetry and comics to illustration, songwriting, zines, graphic novels and visual storytelling.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Community Bushfire Recovery Hub
Learn more Community Bushfire Recovery Hub Last updated: 23 Sept 2026 A one-stop place for information, support and ways to get involved.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
A road safety action plan for Castlemaine CBD
Learn more A road safety action plan for Castlemaine CBD Last updated: 25 Aug 2026 Draft plan released.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Communications and Engagement Strategy
Learn more Communications and Engagement Strategy Last updated: 22 Apr 2026 Adopted in October 2023 Learn more
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Castlemaine town centre inclusive streets audit
Learn more Castlemaine town centre inclusive streets audit Last updated: 2 Sept 2026 A town centre that works for everyone.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Strong nature, stronger future
Learn more Strong nature, stronger future Last updated: 14 July 2026 Help shape our Biodiversity Strategy.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Development
Maldon Museum to stay closed for at least 12 months for chimney repairs
A heritage engineer inspected the damaged chimney in early September. Repairs need Heritage Victoria approval and are expected to take at least 12 months, during which the museum building stays closed.
What this means for you: The museum building isn't open to visitors; the Maldon Museum and Archives Association is continuing its research services from other premises.
- Policy
Wellbeing Economy Business Fund grants open
Local businesses and business groups can apply for grants of up to $5,000 through the council's new Wellbeing Economy Business Fund.
What this means for you: If you run a local business or business group, check the council's announcement for eligibility and closing dates.
- Waste
FOGO bins and glass drop-off network to start in July 2027
Councillors approved a weekly food and garden organics (FOGO) kerbside collection and a glass drop-off network from July 2027. Rubbish collection will move from weekly to fortnightly, and glass will no longer go in the yellow-lid recycling bin.
What this means for you: Nothing changes yet. Households that compost at home or through a community program will be able to apply to opt out of FOGO; costs and drop-off sites are to be confirmed in early 2027.
- Have your say
Council to develop an Aquatic Facilities Strategy
The council has allocated $114,000 in its 2026–27 budget for a two-year strategy on the future of its seasonal pools in Castlemaine, Harcourt, Newstead and Maldon and of aquatic facilities across the shire.
What this means for you: The council plans community consultation at several stages; you can register for updates on Shape Mount Alexander.
- Election
Cr Toby Heydon elected Mayor, Cr Matthew Driscoll Deputy Mayor
The councillors elected Cr Toby Heydon (Forest Creek Ward) as Mayor for a one-year term, succeeding Cr Rosie Annear, with Cr Matthew Driscoll (Loddon River Ward) as Deputy Mayor.
What this means for you: The Mayor chairs council meetings and is the council's main spokesperson. The next mayoral election is due in November 2026.
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Mount Alexander Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.