VIC · Hume region — Murrindindi (Alexandra, Yea, Kinglake) · Local council, made simple
Murrindindi Shire Council
A rural shire of about 3,880 km² north-east of Melbourne, home to about 15,600 people in Alexandra, Yea, Kinglake, Eildon, Marysville and smaller towns. The council runs your bins, local roads and bridges, libraries, 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.
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 rates +2.75% (state cap)
Open →Budget & financesThe council's financial indicators, each shown next to the Victorian median.
Average rate per property: $1,973 (Vic median $1,937)
Open →Crime & safetyOffences recorded in the Shire by Victoria Police, next to the Victorian rate.
Offences recorded, year to June 2026
Open →Mayor & councillorsYour ward councillor, the Mayor, and how to contact them.
Mayor: Cr Damien Gallagher (re-elected Nov 2025)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, the Kinglake Ward by-election, 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) 5772 0333
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: 15,648 (ABS, June 2025)
Open →What's happening
6 updatesRecent items from Murrindindi Shire Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Development
Great Victorian Rail Trail: two sections stay closed
The rail trail remains closed between Merton and the Cheviot Tunnel and between Cathkin and Spring Creek Road, Fawcett. Hazardous trees have been removed, but 15 bridges are impassable and embankments, surface and culverts still need assessment.
What this means for you: Stay out of the closed sections and respect the closure signs; the council says there is no confirmed funding yet for the repairs.
- Development
Council wins MAVlab Innovation Award for housing and growth planning
The council's 'Doing Planning Differently' initiative won the Thriving Places category of the 2026 MAVlab Innovation Awards. It brings together the Residential Design Guidelines, Yea Structure Plan, Alexandra East Development Plan, Key Worker Housing Strategy and Eildon Key Worker Housing Project.
What this means for you: These plans shape where new housing goes in Alexandra, Yea and Eildon; the council's announcement links to a case study with more detail.
- Election
Kinglake Ward by-election: voting by post in December
The VEC will hold a postal by-election for Kinglake Ward after Councillor Jodi Adams resigned. The roll closed on 23 September. Nominations open on 19 October and close at 12 noon on 27 October; ballot packs are mailed from 16 November and voting closes at 6pm on Friday 4 December 2026.
What this means for you: If you are enrolled in Kinglake Ward, voting is compulsory. The council gives 18 December 2026 as the indicative date for the result.
Source: Victorian Electoral Commission — Kinglake Ward by-election
- Council meeting
Special council meeting in Buxton on 30 September
The council will meet at Buxton Memorial Hall on Wednesday 30 September 2026 to consider the Murrindindi Municipal Fire Recovery Plan and the 2025–26 finance and performance statements. An open community meeting is being held in Buxton the same day.
What this means for you: The meeting is open to the public and livestreamed; the agenda is on the council's meetings page.
- Policy
30 years of library partnership with Yarra Plenty Regional Library
The council marked 30 years of its partnership with Yarra Plenty Regional Library, which gives the libraries in Alexandra, Yea and Kinglake and the mobile library access to a wider collection and shared systems. The council is developing a new Library Strategy and Action Plan.
What this means for you: Library members can borrow from the wider Yarra Plenty collection and use its digital resources.
- Election
Kinglake Ward councillor Jodi Adams resigns
Jodi Adams, elected for Kinglake Ward in October 2024, resigned with effect from 12 August 2026. As Kinglake is a single-councillor ward, the vacancy will be filled by a by-election run by the VEC.
What this means for you: Until a new councillor is elected, Kinglake Ward residents can contact the council on (03) 5772 0333 about services and local matters.
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Murrindindi Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.