NSW · Riverina · Local council, made simple
Narrandera Shire Council
A large, sparsely settled Riverina shire on the Murrumbidgee River where the Newell and Sturt Highways cross — about 5,700 people across 4,116 km², taking in Narrandera, Barellan, Grong Grong and Binya, on an economy of broadacre and irrigated agriculture, highway and rail freight, and a visitor economy built around Lake Talbot, the Narrandera Wetlands and the koala regeneration reserve. A permanent special rate variation ran across 2024–25 and 2025–26; 2026–27 is back to the ordinary rate peg. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, water, roads, 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.
2026–27 rate peg: 3.3% (special variation now complete)
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
7 of 9 OLG benchmarks met (2023–24)
Open →Crime & safetyNarrandera's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
2 of 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Neville Kschenka OAM (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) 6959 5510
Open →Area profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~5,687 (2023–24)
Open →What's happening
4 updatesRecent items from Narrandera Shire Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Have your say
Integrated Water Cycle Management Plan on public exhibition
Council placed the Narrandera Integrated Water Cycle Management Plan on public exhibition for 28 days for community feedback. The IWCM Plan is the document council's Operational Plan points to for maintaining and improving water and sewerage infrastructure.
What this means for you: If you are on council water or sewer in Narrandera, or following the Barellan sewerage scheme, this is the plan that sets the direction. Written submissions must be lodged before the closing date shown on the exhibition item.
Source: Narrandera Shire Council — Have your say: Integrated Water Cycle Management Plan
- Policy
Mail zone outside the new East Street post office is not general parking
Council reminded motorists that the Mail Zone in front of the new Australia Post office on East Street, Narrandera, is reserved for authorised postal vehicles and is not available for general parking.
What this means for you: If you park in the marked Mail Zone on East Street you may be issued with a parking fine. Council's parking regulations page has the full set of local restrictions.
Source: Narrandera Shire Council — Post Office mail zone parking
- Event
2026 Koala Festival supported by local sponsors and volunteers
Council published a media release thanking the major sponsors, volunteers, local businesses, organisations and community groups making the 2026 Koala Festival possible. The festival is Narrandera's signature annual event, tied to the koala population in the Narrandera Common regeneration reserve.
What this means for you: Dates, programme and volunteering details are on the council's events listing; the media release names the organisations involved if you want to know who is behind it.
Source: Narrandera Shire Council — Community support brings 2026 Koala Festival to life
- Have your say
Mayor thanks residents who attended the 2026 Listening Posts
In a Message from the Mayor published on 26 June 2026, Cr Neville Kschenka thanked everyone who attended council's 2026 Listening Posts — the council's in-person sessions for hearing community feedback.
What this means for you: Listening Posts are one of the ways Narrandera Shire gathers community input between formal exhibitions. Documents open for written submissions are listed on council's Have your say page.
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Narrandera Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.