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, which supports the ten-year Community Vision 2021–2031. The council says about 1,100 residents gave feedback that shaped the plan. The yearly budget funds the plan.
The Community Vision says that in 2031 'our community is connected to each other, and comes together to build and celebrate an inclusive, creative shire'. The Council Plan has five focus areas. 'Communities': healthy, connected and inclusive communities. 'Natural Environments': enhanced and protected natural environments. 'Infrastructure': appropriate, accessible and climate-resilient infrastructure. 'Wellbeing Economies': thriving economies that serve the wellbeing of people, place and the environment. 'Organisation': a responsive, trusted and effective council.
The 2026–27 budget, adopted on 16 June 2026, is described by the council as a $56 million budget. It raises the average rate by 2.75% and allocates $16.1 million to capital works, supported by $9.5 million of external funding. The Mayor's introduction lists the Diamond Gully Road upgrade, road and bridge renewals, $1 million from the Australian Government to continue design work on flood levees in Newstead, Castlemaine and Campbells Creek, a Wellbeing Economy Business Fund, and a masterplan for the Castlemaine Transfer Station. It notes that recovery work after the January 2026 fires in Harcourt and surrounds is funded separately by the state and federal governments.
- Mount Alexander Shire Council — Council Plan · Sep 2026
- Mount Alexander Shire Council — Council Plan 2025–2029 (PDF) · 2025–2029
- Mount Alexander Shire Council — Community Vision · Sep 2026
- Mount Alexander Shire Council — Budget 2026/2027 (PDF) · 2026–27
- Mount Alexander Shire Council — Our Budget · Sep 2026
Underway now
Frederick Street and Mechanics Lane streetscape upgrade, Castlemaine
Construction due to finish by March 2027; street closed to vehicles until January 2027Level footpaths and kerbs, a shared zone for pedestrians and cyclists, new lighting, street trees, drainage upgrades and undergrounded power between Mostyn and Templeton Streets. Frederick Street is closed to vehicles between those streets, and the council said on 1 September 2026 that the Town Hall would stay closed until 2 October for drainage and electrical works. The council says the project is funded by a $12.19 million Australian Government Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program grant.
Source: Mount Alexander Shire Council — Frederick Street and Mechanics Lane Streetscape Redevelopment
Levee banks for Castlemaine and Campbells Creek
Funding outcome expected October 2026From the Flood Management Plan adopted in 2015: levees at Central Cabins and Van Park and Elizabeth Street in Castlemaine, and in Campbells Creek township and National School Lane, plus waterway works downstream of Alexandra Bridge. In July 2026 the council said it had sought further funding to complete the project; councillors are to be briefed in October 2026. There is no timeline for two levees along Gingell Street, Castlemaine, which the council says had no community support.
Maldon Museum chimney repairs
At least 12 months; museum building closed until thenA crack found in March 2026 in the museum's 800 kg arched chimney made the heritage-listed building unsafe to occupy. A heritage engineer's repair recommendations were expected in the weeks after 22 September 2026; works need Heritage Victoria approval. The Maldon Museum and Archives Association is working from other office space.
Source: Mount Alexander Shire Council — Update on Maldon Museum Chimney and building works
Planned / committed
FOGO kerbside service and glass drop-off network
From July 2027Approved in August 2026 to meet the Victorian Government's waste reforms. A weekly food and garden organics collection, with material processed at the Castlemaine Transfer Station; rubbish collection moving to fortnightly; and about eight glass drop-off points instead of a kerbside glass bin, which the council estimates costs around 80% less. Costs, FOGO opt-out rules and drop-off locations are to be settled in early 2027.
Source: Mount Alexander Shire Council — Council to introduce FOGO service, glass drop-off network
Aquatic Facilities Strategy
Two years, funded from 2026–27A $114,000 strategy on the future of swimming facilities, including the council's seasonal pools in Castlemaine, Harcourt, Newstead and Maldon. The council notes the privately owned indoor pool at the Drill Hall in Castlemaine has closed. Community engagement will be run through Shape Mount Alexander.
Source: Mount Alexander Shire Council — Council to develop Aquatic Facilities Strategy