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
Murray River Council's direction is set out in its Community Strategic Plan 2025–2035 (refreshed with the councillors elected in September 2024), a four-year Delivery Program and an annual Operational Plan and budget. Managing growth around Moama and the council's financial sustainability are recurring themes.
The council manages local roads, waste, water and sewer, libraries, parks, planning and river-town services across a large, sparsely populated rural LGA that follows the Murray along the NSW–Victoria border. Moama — opposite Echuca in Victoria — is the main growth centre, and the council coordinates with cross-border neighbours on housing and infrastructure. Water availability and the Murray–Darling Basin Plan are a factual backdrop for the district's irrigated agriculture.
The council's adopted 2026–27 budget projects about $78.18M in operating revenue against $74.46M in expenses — an operating deficit of about $5.79M — with a $30.73M capital works program (including asset renewal and a Moama Water Treatment Plant upgrade). The general rate rise is 3.2%, in line with the IPART rate peg.
Underway now
Community Strategic Plan 2025–2035
Refreshed 2025; horizon to 2035The council worked with the councillors elected in September 2024 to refresh its Community Strategic Plan — the top-level 10-year plan that guides the Delivery Program, budget and works program — ready for the 2025–26 year.
Source: Your Say Murray River — Community Strategic Plan 2025–2035
Local Housing Strategy revision
On exhibition Dec 2025 – Feb 2026A revised Local Housing Strategy providing an evidence-based framework to manage population growth to 2046, particularly around Moama, including staging of development, housing diversity and coordination with neighbouring (including cross-border) councils.
Moama Water Treatment Plant upgrade & 2026–27 capital works
2026–27The adopted 2026–27 budget funds a $30.73M capital works program, including a Moama Water Treatment Plant upgrade (~$3.02M) supporting growth in the council's largest town, alongside asset renewal and road works.
Source: Riverine Herald — Council signs off on 2026–27 budget