NSW · Hunter (Upper Hunter) · Local council, made simple
Muswellbrook Shire Council
A large rural shire in the Upper Hunter — around 16,800 people across Muswellbrook, Denman, Sandy Hollow and surrounding villages. Its economy is built on thermal-coal mining (Mt Arthur, Bengalla) and power generation (Bayswater; Liddell closed in 2023), alongside wine and thoroughbred studs, and the council is planning for a major economic transition as mines approach closure. 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.
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: 3.9%
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets 6 of 9 OLG financial benchmarks
Open →Crime & safetyMuswellbrook's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
11 of 12 major offences above the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Jeff Drayton (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.
Customer service: (02) 6549 3700
Open →Shire profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~16,800 (2023–24)
Open →What's happening
3 updatesRecent items from Muswellbrook Shire Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Policy
Council calls for a halt to federal workforce-transition planning
Muswellbrook Shire Council called for an immediate halt to activities around the Hunter Workforce Transition Advisory Group and the Regional Workforce Transition Plan until a governance model is agreed with affected councils.
What this means for you: The council argues local government has been left out of planning for the region's coal-mining wind-down; the story links to the council's position on how the transition should be governed.
Source: Muswellbrook Shire Council — safeguarding the community as mines near closure
- Policy
IPART approves 25.9% Special Rate Variation on the mining rate category
IPART granted Muswellbrook Shire Council a Special Rate Variation of 25.9%, applied exclusively to the mining rate category from 2026–27, expected to raise about $6 million in additional revenue.
What this means for you: The increase applies only to the mining rate category, not to residential or other ratepayers (who move by the standard 3.1% peg). The council says it will use the revenue to prepare for the loss of mining rate income as major coal mines approach closure.
- Waste
FOGO food-and-garden organics service now live
Muswellbrook Shire Council's combined food organics and garden organics (FOGO) service began on 1 July 2024, allowing food scraps to be placed in the weekly green-lid bin alongside garden waste.
What this means for you: Households can now divert food waste from landfill via the green bin; check your zone's collection calendar on the council's kerbside waste pages.
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