NSW · Murray / Riverina · Local council, made simple
Murray River Council
A large, thinly populated rural council that follows the Murray River along the NSW–Victoria border — around 13,600 people across townships like Moama, Mathoura, Barham, Moulamein and Wakool. Formed in 2016 from the Murray and Wakool shires, its economy runs on irrigated agriculture (dairy, rice), red-gum timber and river tourism, with Moama — opposite Echuca in Victoria — the main growth centre. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, water, roads, libraries, parks, development — 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 Murray River Council wants your say on right now. Your view counts for more before the deadline.
- Open — see source for the closing date
2027 Australia Day Awards
Have your say → - Open — see source for the closing date
Biosecurity Feedback forms
Have your say → - Open — see source for the closing date
Community survey shows what residents value, and where we can improve
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: 5.3%
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets 5 of 9 OLG financial benchmarks
Open →Crime & safetyMurray River's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
7 of 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you, by ward — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: John Harvie (Independent)
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.
Council: 1300 087 004
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~13,600 (2023–24)
Open →What's happening
29 updatesAuto-collected from Murray River Council's public channels and drafted in plain language (pending review).
- Development
Planning Proposal PP-2026-709: Reclassification of Community Land
Murray River Council is proposing to update its Local Environmental Plans to reclassify 9 parcels of Council-owned land from Community Land to Operational Land. Some are already utlised as drainage basins, so the proposed reclassification ensures alignment with their current use.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Council meeting
Council meeting summary: October 2026
Published on 28 October 2026 A summary of some agenda items and resolutions from the October 2026 council meeting.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Election
Mayor column: with Cr John Harvie
Published on 22 October 2026 Message from the Mayor: 22 October 2026 Tagged as: , Media Releases
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Council wins NSW Tidy Towns Resource Recovery Award
Published on 23 October 2026 Council has been recognised for its commitment to recycling and waste reduction, taking home the Population Category C – Resource Recovery Award for Moama’s Return and Earn Depot at the 2026 Keep Australia Beautiful NSW Tidy Towns Awards.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Business excellence celebrated at 2026 Campaspe Murray Business Awards
Published on 22 October 2026 Tongala’s GTS Farm Supplies has been named Business of the Year at the 2026 Campaspe Murray Business Awards.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Murray Business Month: free opportunities for local businesses
Published on 28 September 2026 Murray River Council, together with supporting partners, is inviting businesses from across the region to take part in Murray Business Month this October.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Council meeting
Council meeting summary: September 2026
Published on 23 September 2026 A summary of some agenda items and resolutions from the September 2026 council meeting.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Election
MRC Mayor and Deputy Returned
Published on 22 September 2026 Murray River Council will continue under the leadership of Mayor Cr John Harvie and Deputy Mayor Cr Neil Gorey following Tuesday’s mayoral election.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Statement: Moama Rec Reserve incident, Saturday 19 September 2026
Published on 21 September 2026 Murray River Council can confirm a fire incident occurred at the Moama Recreation Reserve Complex during the Murray Football League Grand Final on Saturday afternoon.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Development
Consolidated Development Control Plan
Making development controls work for our communities. Murray River Council is reviewing its Development Control Plan (DCP) to make sure development controls are consolidated, clear, practical and appropriate for our communities.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Election
Mayor column: with Cr John Harvie
Published on 10 September 2026 Message from the Mayor: 10 September 2026 Tagged as: , Media Releases
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
RAMJO Endorse Community Advocacy Campaign to Protect Basin Communities
Published on 27 August 2026 Mayors from across the Riverina and Murray regions met at Tocumwal NSW last month, to demonstrate their united stance in calling for greater awareness of the impacts of ongoing environmental water recovery on regional communities.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Mains water flushing 2026: Moama
Published on 07 September 2026 Tuesday 8th of September marks the beginning of this year’s filtered water main flushing program for Moama.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Moulamein flood mitigation works: project update
Published on 27 August 2026 Works are progressing on a number of important flood mitigation upgrades in Moulamein, helping strengthen the town’s resilience and protect key community infrastructure.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Community survey shows what residents value, and where we can improve
Published on 26 August 2026 Council has released the results of its 2026 Community Satisfaction Survey, providing a valuable insight into how residents view Council’s performance, services and priorities for the future.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Moulamein Master Plan and Community Action Plan endorsed
Published on 26 August 2026 Council has adopted the Moulamein Master Plan and Community Action Plan, providing a 20-year roadmap to guide the township’s future growth, investment and development.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Local Housing Strategy Review adopted
Published on 26 August 2026 Council has adopted its updated Local Housing Strategy 2026, providing a clear framework to guide housing growth and development across the region.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Nominate for Murray's 2027 Australia Day Awards
Published on 01 September 2026 Nominations have opened for Murray River Council’s 2027 Australia Day Awards.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
2027 Australia Day Awards
The Murray River Council Australia Day Awards are presented to local citizens and groups to showcase their outstanding achievements and contributions to the local community.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Disability Inclusion Action Plan
Council is developing a new Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) to help create a more inclusive and accessible community where everyone can participate in community life. The DIAP will outline the actions Council, together with our community, will take over the next four years to improve access to services, facilities, events and information for people with disability.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Moama Town Entry Enhancement
Murray River Council has secured $1. 08 million in grant funding to deliver placemaking and public realm upgrades to the southern entry of Moama, centred around Meninya Street near the Kerrabee Soundshell.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Council adopts 2026–27 budget with a $5.79M operating deficit
Murray River Council adopted its 2026–27 Operational Plan and budget — about $78.18M in operating revenue against $74.46M in expenses (a $5.79M operating deficit), a $30.73M capital works program, and a 3.2% general rate rise in line with the IPART rate peg.
What this means for you: Your general rates rise by 3.2% for 2026–27. The budget funds services and a large capital works program (including asset renewal and a Moama Water Treatment Plant upgrade); the projected operating deficit reflects the council's heavy reliance on restricted grants.
Source: Riverine Herald — Council signs off on 2026–27 budget
- Development
6 Meninya Street, Moama – Redevelopment Opportunity
Murray River Council is seeking proposals for the future purchase and redevelopment of the former Murray Shire Office site* located at 6 Meninya Street, Moama. This is a highly prominent site at the gateway to Moama, and Council is looking to attract a high-quality development that delivers strong community, economic and visitor outcomes for the region.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
2026-2027 Operational Plan and Budget
Council has adopted the2026-27 Operational Plan and Budget, which includes a $30. 73 million capital works program.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Koraleigh Recreation Reserve Master Plan
Council, with the support of CT Management, has prepared a draft Master Plan for the Koraleigh Recreation Reserve. The plan will guide how the Reserve is improved, used and managed over time, ensuring it continues to meet the changing needs of the Koraleigh community and the wider area.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Draft Development Contribution Plan on public exhibition
The council placed a simplified draft Development Contribution Plan on exhibition, replacing a plan more than a decade old. It moves to a fixed-levy model — a percentage of total development value (around 0.5%–1% depending on scale) — with water, sewer and stormwater contributions managed separately. Submissions closed 24 March 2026.
What this means for you: If you're planning to develop, the contributions you pay towards local infrastructure would be calculated as a simpler percentage of your project's value. The exhibition period has closed; see the council's Your Say page for the plan and outcome.
Source: Murray River Council — Have your say: draft Development Contribution Plan
- Development
Development Contribution Plan
Council has endorsed a new Development Contribution Plan following a period of public exhibition. The adopted Plan replaces the current Section 7.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Development
Draft Local Housing Strategy revision on exhibition
The council placed a revised Local Housing Strategy on public exhibition, setting out an evidence-based framework to manage population growth to 2046 — particularly around Moama — with staging of development, housing diversity and cross-border coordination. Submissions closed 8 February 2026.
What this means for you: If you live in or near Moama or the other townships, this strategy shapes where and how new housing can be built over the next two decades. The public exhibition period has closed; the council's Your Say page has the documents and outcome.
- Have your say
Biosecurity Feedback forms
Biosecurity Property Inspections play an important measure in assisting Council to monitor and manage Priory Weeds across the region and aims to prevent incursions of new weeds into our area. Our Authorised Officer often attend properties and carry out inspections which are focused on: identifying weeds and to provide education and guidance.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Murray River Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.