What the council is working on
Recent deliveries, what's underway now, and what's planned next — drawn from the council's own plans, budgets and project pages. We report what the council has publicly said it's doing; every item links to its source.
The council's stated direction
The council's direction is set by its 2025–29 Council Plan, which for the first time also serves as its Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan. It works towards the Community Vision 2041, 'to love where we live', written with the community in 2021 and reconfirmed in the engagement for the new plan. Each year's budget funds a list of Council Plan priorities; the council says the 2026–27 budget carries 109 of them.
The Council Plan has five goals. 'Live it up': health, wellbeing and community — people feel connected, included and safe, healthy communities, and better outcomes for children and young people. 'Build it up': education, housing and skills — unlocking land and housing and building the workforce. 'Business buzz': agriculture, economy and tourism — farming and rural industries, local businesses and tourism. 'Clean it up': sustainability, climate and waste — climate adaptation, cutting waste, energy efficiency, and protecting land, water and wildlife. 'Do it well': infrastructure, finance and corporate services — asset renewal and maintenance, financial viability, and a responsive, efficient council.
The 2026–27 Annual Budget was adopted on 23 June 2026. It raises the average rate by 2.75% and allocates, in the council's summary, $27.6 million to council services, $11.1 million to infrastructure such as culvert renewal, resheeting, drainage and rural roads, $2.0 million to finish phase two of the St Arnaud Swimming Pool redevelopment and scope new projects, $1.3 million to plant and equipment, and $300,000 to start the FOGO and glass rollout. The Mayor's introduction notes almost $1 million set aside for higher fuel costs. The council describes its pressures as rate capping, rising costs, reduced state and federal funding, and a very large asset base with a small population. It also sets out its funding requests to government in an Advocacy Prospectus (June 2026).
- Northern Grampians Shire Council — Council Plan · Sep 2026
- Northern Grampians Shire Council — Council Plan and Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2025–29 (PDF) · 2025–2029
- Northern Grampians Shire Council — 2041 Community Vision · Sep 2026
- Northern Grampians Shire Council — Annual Budget 2026/27, sections 1.1–1.5 (PDF) · 2026–27
- Northern Grampians Shire Council — Council adopts 2026/27 Annual Budget and infrastructure plan (26 Jun 2026) · Jun 2026
- Northern Grampians Shire Council — Budget · Sep 2026
Underway now
St Arnaud Swimming Pool redevelopment, phase two
2026–27 budgetThe 2026–27 budget allocates $2.0 million to recreation, to complete phase two of the St Arnaud Swimming Pool redevelopment and scope new projects.
Source: Northern Grampians Shire Council — Council adopts 2026/27 Annual Budget and infrastructure plan
Aged care services move to other providers
Council exits direct service delivery in January 2027 (exact date to be advised)Following federal aged care funding changes, the council decided at its 7 July 2026 meeting to stop providing community care services itself. It has recommended that East Wimmera Health Service and Grampians Community Health take over; the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care makes the final decision. About 30 council staff serve more than 300 clients. Questions: community.care@ngshire.vic.gov.au or (03) 5358 0514.
Source: Northern Grampians Shire Council — Council to transition aged care services to alternative providers
Stawell Entertainment Centre Future Directions Plan
Community survey to 30 Sep 2026; draft plan Nov 2026; final plan May 2027A long-term plan for the ageing centre's facilities, services and equipment, including lighting, sound, audiovisual and stage rigging, based on feedback from users, hirers and the wider community.
Source: Northern Grampians Shire Council — Stawell Entertainment Centre Future Planning Project
Planned / committed
Stawell Sports and Aquatic Centre redevelopment
Seeking state and federal funding; loan consultation Oct–Nov 2026Phase one would add a 25-metre indoor pool with an accessible ramp, new change rooms and plant upgrades; phase two a $14 million indoor stadium and gym upgrade. The council puts phase one at $28.5 million and is seeking $12.209 million from the State Government and $10.790 million from the Federal Government, with a council share of $5.445 million that it expects to borrow and repay over 10 to 15 years — only if the government funding is secured, and after consulting the community through the 2027–28 budget process.
Source: Northern Grampians Shire Council — Council earmarks $5.445M contribution towards SSAC redevelopment
Shire-wide FOGO and glass recycling
From July 2027Required by the state's Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021. The council's 2026 update to its Waste Management Strategy 2020–30 combines kerbside services with public drop-off services. The 2026–27 budget sets aside $300,000 to start the rollout; the Mayor mentioned $340,000 for new bins. The council has joined other Victorian councils in asking the state to review the mandated glass service.
Source: Northern Grampians Shire Council — Waste charges to rise in Northern Grampians Shire
Southern Wimmera and Northeast Pyrenees Water Supply Project
Seeking $5 million for detailed design and planningJoint advocacy with Pyrenees and Central Goldfields shires for a non-drinking (fit-for-purpose) water network across about 350,000 hectares, which landholders could opt in to. The councils say construction is estimated at about $160 million (the council's own note gives $163.5 million). Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water is taking expressions of interest.
Source: Northern Grampians Shire Council — Three councils unite to fight for region's water rights