VIC · Wimmera / Grampians — Stawell, St Arnaud · Local council, made simple
Northern Grampians Shire Council
A rural shire of about 5,730 km² in western Victoria, home to about 11,800 people in Stawell, St Arnaud, Halls Gap, Great Western and smaller towns and farming districts. The council runs your bins, local roads and drains, parks and pools, 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 rate +2.75% (state cap); garbage charge +$86
Open →Budget & financesThe council's financial indicators, each shown next to the Victorian median.
Average rate per property: $1,730 (Vic median $1,937)
Open →Crime & safetyOffences recorded in Northern Grampians by Victoria Police, next to the Victorian rate.
Offences recorded, year to June 2026
Open →Mayor & councillorsYour ward councillors, the Mayor, and how to contact them.
Mayor: Cr Karen Hyslop (2025–26)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, how Northern Grampians votes, 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) 5358 8700
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: 11,804 (ABS, June 2025)
Open →What's happening
8 updatesRecent items from Northern Grampians Shire Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Have your say
Draft flood overlays for Stawell, St Arnaud and Marnoo open for feedback
The North Central and Wimmera catchment management authorities are consulting on draft Planning Scheme Amendment C72ngra, which would add flood overlays to the Northern Grampians Planning Scheme based on recent flood studies for St Arnaud, Stawell and Marnoo.
What this means for you: If you own or occupy low-lying land in these towns, check the draft flood maps on Engage Victoria and comment before 6 October 2026.
- Policy
Three councils seek $5 million to plan a regional water supply project
Northern Grampians, Pyrenees and Central Goldfields shires are asking the state and federal governments for $5 million for detailed design and planning of the Southern Wimmera and Northeast Pyrenees Water Supply Project.
What this means for you: Landholders in the project area can register interest in a future connection with Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water; joining would be optional.
- Policy
$1.3 million state package for councils facing renewable energy and mining growth
Nine north-west Victorian councils, including Northern Grampians, secured a $1.3 million State Government package for council planning capacity and studies of road, transport and workforce accommodation impacts from major projects.
What this means for you: The council says this means it won't need to use ratepayer funds for these next steps.
- Development
Council earmarks $5.445 million towards Stawell Sports and Aquatic Centre upgrade
The council has earmarked a $5.445 million contribution to the proposed redevelopment, conditional on securing state and federal funding. It expects to borrow the amount and will consult the community on the loan in October–November 2026.
What this means for you: Nothing changes at the centre yet; the council will ask for your views on the proposed loan as part of the 2027–28 budget consultation.
- Waste
Waste charges rise in 2026–27
The kerbside garbage charge rises by $86 to $371, the recycling charge falls by $1 to $194, and St Arnaud's FOGO charge rises by $15 to $67. The council says charges will keep rising over the next three budgets as FOGO and glass services start in 2027.
What this means for you: Your 2026–27 rates notice, issued from mid-August, shows the new charges; the first instalment is due on 30 September 2026.
- Policy
Council to hand over aged care services to other providers
The council decided to stop delivering community care services itself and has recommended East Wimmera Health Service and Grampians Community Health take them over. It plans to exit in January 2027.
What this means for you: Current clients keep their services during the transition; the council's Community Care team can answer questions on (03) 5358 0514.
- Council meeting
2026–27 budget adopted
Councillors adopted the 2026–27 Annual Budget and the Infrastructure Capital Works Program at a meeting in St Arnaud. The average rate rises by the 2.75% cap.
What this means for you: The budget sets this year's rates and charges and the roads, pool and equipment works planned for the year.
- Election
Cr Karen Hyslop returned as Mayor, Cr Justine Hide as Deputy Mayor
At the statutory meeting in Stawell, the councillors re-elected Cr Karen Hyslop as Mayor and Cr Justine Hide as Deputy Mayor for 2025–26.
What this means for you: The Mayor chairs council meetings and is the council's main spokesperson. The next mayoral election is at the Statutory Meeting on 10 November 2026.
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Northern Grampians Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.