VIC · North East Victoria — Towong (Corryong, Tallangatta) · Local council, made simple
Towong Shire Council
About 6,200 people live in Towong Shire, in far North East Victoria — Tallangatta, Corryong, Bellbridge, Bethanga, Mitta Mitta, Walwa and smaller communities across 6,675 km² of the upper Murray and Lake Hume. Five councillors are elected by the whole Shire, and they choose the Mayor. 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.
Open for your feedback
See all →Things Towong Shire Council wants your say on right now. Your view counts for more before the deadline.
- Closes in 34 days
Communications and Engagement Survey
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 cap, how your bill is worked out, due dates and help paying.
2026–27 rate cap: 2.75% (Victoria-wide)
Open →Budget & financesThe council's standard financial measures, each next to the Victorian median.
11 LGPRF measures shown with the Victorian median (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 five councillors, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, and how they are chosen.
Mayor: Cr Peter Tolsher (since 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 where its offices are.
Customer service: 1300 365 222
Open →Area profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is, and which towns are in it.
Population: 6,158 (2025)
Open →What's happening
6 updatesRecent items from Towong Shire Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Have your say
Drop-in sessions on the draft Koetong Recovery and Resilience Masterplan
The council invites the community to two drop-in sessions on Thursday 8 October 2026 to give feedback on the draft Koetong Recovery and Resilience Masterplan, which guides the future development of the Koetong Recreation Reserve.
What this means for you: Sessions run at the Koetong Recreation Reserve (11am–2pm) and Bullioh Hall (4.30–6.30pm). If you can't attend, the draft will be put online afterwards for wider feedback.
Source: Towong Shire Council — Koetong Recovery and Resilience Masterplan drop-in sessions
- Have your say
Communications and Engagement Survey open
The council is updating its Social Media Policy and Community Engagement Policy and Strategy, and is surveying residents about what they want to hear about and which channels reach them.
What this means for you: The survey takes about five minutes and closes at midnight on 1 November 2026. Paper copies are available at council offices.
Source: Towong Shire Council — Communications and Engagement Survey
- Policy
Traffic calming trial in Bellbridge and Tallangatta
The council is trialling rubberised speed humps and warning signs at Bellbridge (Lake Road and near the boat shed) and along Queen Elizabeth Drive in Tallangatta, in response to community concerns about vehicle speeds.
What this means for you: Installation was expected from 7 September in Tallangatta and 14 September in Bellbridge, with possible short delays during works.
Source: Towong Shire Council — Traffic calming trial to commence
- Policy
2026–27 Budget adopted
The council adopted its 2026–27 Budget on 24 June 2026: the average general rate and municipal charge rise by the 2.75% state cap, there are no new borrowings, and capital works are budgeted at $23.08 million, including about $10 million of flood repairs in the Burrowye and Guys Forest areas.
What this means for you: Kerbside waste charges rise by about 7.5% (for example $532 for a 140-litre rubbish, recycling and FOGO service). The first rates instalment is due 30 September.
Source: Towong Shire Council — Budgets (2026–27 Budget adopted 24 June 2026)
- Policy
Council's submission to the parliamentary inquiry into the 2026 summer fires
The council made a formal submission to the Parliament of Victoria's Inquiry into the 2026 summer fires, covering impacts on Towong communities, road conditions on evacuation routes, power and telecommunications reliability, relief centres in the Upper Murray, and disaster recovery funding arrangements.
What this means for you: The submission is public on the Parliament of Victoria website. The inquiry held an online 'open mic' session with Towong communities on 6 May 2026.
Source: Towong Shire Council — Bushfire Inquiry submission & registration for online open mic session
- Council meeting
Cr Peter Tolsher elected Mayor, Cr Denise Anderson Deputy Mayor
On 26 November 2025 the councillors elected Cr Peter Tolsher as Mayor and Cr Denise Anderson as Deputy Mayor, both for one-year terms. Cr Tolsher had been Deputy Mayor since 2024; he succeeds Cr Andrew Whitehead, Mayor for the previous four years.
What this means for you: Victorian mayors are elected by the councillors, not by voters. The one-year terms run to about November 2026.
Source: Towong Shire Council — 2025 Mayoral Election Results
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Towong Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.