NSW · New England North West · Local council, made simple
Tamworth Regional Council
The largest council in the New England North West and the 'Country Music Capital' of Australia — around 65,900 people across Tamworth and towns like Barraba, Manilla, Nundle and Kootingal. As the region's commercial, health, education and events hub, the council runs the local services you use every week — waste, water, roads, libraries, 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.
2025–26: +15% (final year of an approved Special Rate Variation)
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets 6 of 9 OLG financial benchmarks
Open →Crime & safetyTamworth Regional's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
See the numbers in local context
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Russell Webb (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) 6767 5555
Open →Region profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~65,900
Open →What's happening
3 updatesRecent items from Tamworth Regional Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Development
Continued investment at the Tamworth Global Gateway Park
The council reports ongoing industrial and commercial investment and lot sales at the Tamworth Global Gateway Park, its council-led freight and logistics precinct built around intermodal rail/road access.
What this means for you: The precinct is intended to attract industry and jobs to the region; the council's project pages track lot availability and infrastructure delivery for businesses considering the site.
Source: Tamworth Regional Council — Tamworth Global Gateway Park
- Policy
Council progresses the Tamworth Water Security Plan
The council is developing a Tamworth Water Security Plan to determine the mix of future infrastructure and non-infrastructure needed for long-term water security and drought resilience, after the previously announced new Dungowan Dam project was discontinued at state level.
What this means for you: The plan will shape future water supply, pricing and restrictions for Tamworth and the Moonbi/Kootingal area; the council's Have Your Say page sets out the options being considered and how to comment.
Source: Tamworth Regional Council — Have Your Say: Tamworth Water Security Plan
- Policy
IPART approves two-year Special Rate Variation
IPART approved a permanent Special Rate Variation for Tamworth Regional Council of about 36.3% over two years — 18.5% in 2024–25 and 15% in 2025–26 (each including that year's rate peg). The second and final increase applied in the 2025–26 budget.
What this means for you: Ordinary rates rose in two steps across 2024–25 and 2025–26 to permanently lift the council's rates income; from 2026–27 the council returns to the standard IPART rate peg (3.2%). How much any individual bill changed depends on each property's land value.
Source: Tamworth Regional Council — Special Rate Variation approved
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