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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.

Shire profile
Population: ~16,800 (2023–24)
Mayor & councillors
Mayor: Jeff Drayton (Independent)
Elections & voting
Next election: Sat 9 Sep 2028
Crime & safety
11 of 12 major offences above the NSW rate
The Muswellbrook Shire council area (official LGA boundary). Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Everyday essentials

The things people actually need from the council — fast.

Bins & recycling

When's my bin day?

Your collection days and what goes in each bin.

Check bin day →Report a problem

Something needs fixing?

Potholes, dumped rubbish, broken lights — how to report it to Muswellbrook Shire.

How to report →

Open for your feedback

See all →

Things Muswellbrook Shire Council wants your say on right now. Your view counts for more before the deadline.

Get to know your council

The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.

Rates & fees

This year's rate rise, how it compares across NSW, and why bills differ.

2025–26 rate peg: 3.9%

Open →Budget & finances

How financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.

Meets 6 of 9 OLG financial benchmarks

Open →Crime & safety

Muswellbrook's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.

11 of 12 major offences above the NSW rate

Open →Mayor & councillors

Who represents you — and where to read their official profiles.

Mayor: Jeff Drayton (Independent)

Open →Elections & voting

When the next council election is, and how voting works.

Next election: Sat 9 Sep 2028

Open →Contact & services

How to reach the council and report a problem.

Customer service: (02) 6549 3700

Open →Shire profile

The basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.

Population: ~16,800 (2023–24)

Open →
What the council is working onRecent deliveries, what's underway and what's planned next — each with a source.Priorities →

What's happening

78 updates

Auto-collected from Muswellbrook Shire Council's public channels and drafted in plain language (pending review).

Email alerts aren't switched on yet

We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Muswellbrook Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.