VIC · Great South Coast — Southern Grampians (Hamilton) · Local council, made simple
Southern Grampians Shire Council
About 16,500 people live in Southern Grampians Shire, in western Victoria — Hamilton, Coleraine, Dunkeld, Penshurst and a spread of farming districts and small towns across 6,650 km². Seven councillors are elected by the whole Shire, and they choose the Mayor each year. The council runs your bins, local roads, parks, libraries and planning, and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, then the things that affect 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 cap, how your bill is worked out, due dates and help paying.
2026–27: rates +2.75% (state cap); kerbside charge $472
Open →Budget & financesThe council's standard financial measures, each next to the Victorian median.
Average rate per property: $1,892 (Vic median $1,937), 2024–25
Open →Crime & safetyOffences recorded in the Shire by Victoria Police, next to the Victorian rate.
Offences recorded, year to June 2026
Open →Mayor & councillorsYour seven councillors, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, and how they are chosen.
Mayor: Cr Dennis Heslin (elected Nov 2025)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, how the Shire votes, and the 2024 result.
Next election: Sat 28 Oct 2028 (by post)
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council and report a problem.
Phone: (03) 5573 0444
Open →Area profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is, which towns it covers.
Population: 16,483 (2025)
Open →What's happening
7 updatesRecent items from Southern Grampians Shire Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Waste
Hamilton organics processing facility expected to start in late 2026
The council showed its organics processing facility at the Hamilton Transfer Station to farmers, businesses and waste-industry guests. It says the facility will initially process more than 5,000 tonnes of organic material a year, about half of it household FOGO, and is expected to start production in late 2026.
What this means for you: Your FOGO bin's contents are due to be composted in Hamilton rather than trucked out of the Shire. Keep plastics and other contaminants out of the FOGO bin.
Source: Southern Grampians Shire Council — Hamilton's Organic Waste Facility Draws Strong Industry Interest
- Have your say
Have your say: Rippon Road and Ballarat Road intersection
The council is collecting residents' experiences, near misses and safety concerns about the Rippon Road and Ballarat Road intersection in Hamilton to support its advocacy for safety improvements. The intersection is on a state-managed road, the responsibility of the Department of Transport and Planning.
What this means for you: Share your experience and photos on the council's Engage Southern Grampians page. The council also asks residents to report incidents directly to VicRoads.
Source: Southern Grampians Shire Council — Council Seeks Community Support for Rippon Road and Ballarat Road
- Policy
$142,881 in Round One community grants
The council received 48 applications in Round One of its 2026–27 Community Partnership Grants and recommended $142,881 for projects worth more than $273,000 in total, including court resurfacing at Cavendish, cricket practice facilities at Pigeon Ponds and a mural at Byaduk.
What this means for you: Applicants are told their outcome after the September council meeting. The 2026–27 Budget sets aside $250,000 for the program.
Source: Southern Grampians Shire Council — Council Backs Community-Led Projects through Round One Grants
- Waste
Kerbside bin contamination policy adopted
At its 8 September 2026 meeting the council adopted a Kerbside Waste Contamination Policy: a sticker on the first and second contaminated bin (with a letter the second time), then a penalty notice under the Community Local Law, with services able to be suspended for repeat cases. A six-month grace period of community education comes first.
What this means for you: Check the council's A–Z guide if you're unsure which bin something goes in. Enforcement starts only after the six-month grace period.
Source: Southern Grampians Shire Council — Council Adopts Kerbside Waste Contamination Policy
- Policy
2026–27 Budget adopted
The council adopted its 2026–27 Budget and Long-Term Financial Plan on 9 June 2026: general rates up 2.75% in line with the state cap, a $17.5 million capital works program, the kerbside waste charge up from $430 to $472, and the 2% early-payment discount removed.
What this means for you: Rates are due in four instalments from 30 September. If you're struggling to pay, the council offers payment arrangements and hardship help.
- Election
Tamasyn Ramsay-Grounds elected to council on countback
The Victorian Electoral Commission filled the vacancy left by Cr Albert Calvano's resignation on 9 April 2026 with a countback of the 2024 ballot papers, electing Tam Ramsay (now known as Tamasyn Ramsay-Grounds) on 11 May 2026.
What this means for you: The council still has seven councillors. The next general election is on 28 October 2028.
Source: Victorian Electoral Commission — Southern Grampians Shire Council countback
- Council meeting
Cr Dennis Heslin elected Mayor, Cr Helen Henry Deputy Mayor
At the Statutory Meeting on 5 November 2025 the councillors elected Cr Dennis Heslin as Mayor and Cr Helen Henry as Deputy Mayor, both unopposed and both for one-year terms.
What this means for you: Victorian mayors are elected by the councillors, not by voters. The next Statutory Meeting is on 27 October 2026.
Source: Southern Grampians Shire Council — Statutory Meeting minutes, 5 November 2025
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Southern Grampians Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.