VIC · Central Highlands — Pyrenees (Beaufort, Avoca) · Local council, made simple
Pyrenees Shire Council
A rural shire of about 3,430 km² in western Victoria, home to about 8,000 people in Beaufort, Avoca, and smaller towns such as Lexton, Landsborough, Moonambel, Snake Valley and Waubra. The council runs your bins, local roads and bridges, 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.
Open for your feedback
See all →Things Pyrenees Shire Council wants your say on right now. Your view counts for more before the deadline.
- Closes in 3 days
Draft Municipal Emergency Management Plan 2026
Have your say →
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: rates +2.75% (state cap)
Open →Budget & financesThe council's financial indicators, each shown next to the Victorian median.
Average rate per property: $1,584 (Vic median $1,937)
Open →Crime & safetyOffences recorded in Pyrenees Shire by Victoria Police, next to the Victorian rate.
Offences recorded, year to June 2026
Open →Mayor & councillorsThe Mayor, the five councillors, and how to contact them.
Mayor: Cr Damian Ferrari (since November 2025)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, how Pyrenees votes, and the 2024 result.
Next election: Sat 28 Oct 2028 (by post)
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council: phone, office hours and addresses.
Phone: 1300 797 363
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: 7,957 (ABS, June 2025)
Open →What's happening
8 updatesRecent items from Pyrenees Shire Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Council meeting
Council begins recruiting a permanent CEO
The council has engaged the executive recruitment firm Leading Roles to find a permanent Chief Executive Officer. Sally Jones continues as Interim CEO until an appointment is made.
What this means for you: The council says it will give more information as the recruitment progresses.
- Development
Beaufort Pool to be repaired ahead of the pool season
The council will fund floor repairs, a new liner, tiling repairs and structural crack remediation at the Beaufort Pool, after an assessment found it in very poor structural condition. The Avoca and Landsborough pools need only minor work.
What this means for you: The Beaufort Pool is expected to open for 2026/27, but the works may delay the start of its season.
- Development
Western Highway councils release investment priorities, including the Beaufort Bypass
The Western Highway Action Committee, a group of 10 western Victorian councils including Pyrenees, released a prospectus of priority projects for the highway, among them construction of the Beaufort Bypass and duplication between Buangor and Ararat.
What this means for you: These are advocacy priorities for state and federal funding, not funded projects.
- Event
'The Grapes of Avoca' chosen for Avoca's entrance sculpture
More than 300 people voted in a public poll for the design by local artist Robbie Allen, to be made from reclaimed plough discs. It is funded through the Victorian Government's Tiny Towns Fund.
What this means for you: The sculpture is expected to be installed at the Sunraysia and Pyrenees highways intersection by the end of the year.
- Development
Insurance funds confirmed for the Carranballac Recreation Reserve rebuild
A $1.72 million insurance payout has been confirmed for rebuilding the reserve's buildings, destroyed in the January Streatham Yalla-Y-Poora fire. The rebuild is community-led, with the council in a supporting role.
What this means for you: The council says the rebuild can now move forward with the Community Working Group, the Committee of Management and DEECA.
- Policy
Three councils seek $5 million to design a regional water supply project
Pyrenees, Central Goldfields and Northern Grampians shires are asking the Victorian and Commonwealth governments for $5 million for detailed design of the Southern Wimmera and Northeast Pyrenees Water Supply Project.
What this means for you: The project is not yet funded; the councils put its future construction cost at about $160 million.
- Policy
Fire prevention inspections in November and December
The council will send reminder letters to residents who received a Fire Prevention Notice last year, and inspect properties across the shire during November and December, before and during the Fire Danger Period.
What this means for you: Clear dry grass, leaves, branches and wood piles from your property. If a property is found to be a fire hazard, the council may issue a Fire Prevention Notice listing the work required.
- Policy
2026–27 budget adopted
The budget raises rates by the 2.75% state cap, with about $28 million of operating and $7 million of capital expenditure. The council's 10-Year Financial Plan was adopted at the same time.
What this means for you: Your 2026–27 rates notice reflects these charges; see Rates & fees for how your bill is worked out.
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Pyrenees Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.