NSW · Far North Coast NSW · Local council, made simple
Tweed Shire Council
A coastal and hinterland shire on the very northern tip of NSW, right on the Queensland/Gold Coast border — around 99,800 people across Tweed Heads, Kingscliff, Murwillumbah and the Byron-adjacent hinterland. Tweed Heads sits directly across the border from the southern Gold Coast, so many residents cross state lines for work, shopping and services. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, roads, flood recovery, planning — 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.
Open for your feedback
See all →Things Tweed Shire Council wants your say on right now. Your view counts for more before the deadline.
- Open — see source for the closing date
New statewide consultation rules apply in the Tweed
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 it compares across NSW, and why bills differ.
2025–26 rate peg: 4.4%
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets 8 of 9 OLG financial benchmarks
Open →Crime & safetyTweed's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
6 of 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Chris Cherry (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 6670 2400
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~99,800 (2023–24)
Open →What's happening
25 updatesAuto-collected from Tweed Shire Council's public channels and drafted in plain language (pending review).
- Have your say
Dinosaur exhibition roars to victory at National Awards
04 November 2026 Tweed Regional Museum's groundbreaking exhibition How to Draw a Dinosaur has been recognised on the national stage.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Waste
Do you wheelie know your bins?
15 October 2026 Councils across the Northern Rivers, including Tweed, are asking residents to complete a survey to help improve education and information about using kerbside bins correctly. Survey participants can go in the draw to win a $100 voucher.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Drivers, look out for koalas!
13 October 2026 It's koala breeding season, so more koalas are on the move across the Tweed. Learn how you can help keep them safe on our roads.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Tweed teen Tim Wellm storms into Australian swimming history
14 October 2026 Local swimming star Tim Wellm, 16, smashed a personal best, recorded Australia’s third-fastest 50m backstroke time for his age, and is now chasing Olympic dreams.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Courtney Act to interview artist Gerwyn Davies at the Regent Cinema
14 October 2026 Courtney Act will interview artist Gerwyn Davies live at Murwillumbah’s Regent Cinema, offering an entertaining behind-the-scenes look at his vibrant Sunburn exhibition.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Event
Six things the Tweed took home from the Sustainable Living Festival
13 October 2026 More than 800 people attended this year's Tweed Sustainable Living Festival, taking part in free workshops, talks and activities despite the wet weather.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Councils unite to oppose major cuts to Financial Assistance Grants
8 October 2026 Five Northern Rivers councils and MidCoast Council oppose proposed grant funding changes, warning cuts could reduce essential services and unfairly penalise disaster-affected regional communities.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
2026 October Business Month brings big ideas and opportunities
7 October 2026 Discover fresh ideas, AI insights, growth opportunities and valuable connections at the Tweed Business Forum, helping local businesses build resilience, innovate and thrive.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Have your say on how Council manages deceased whales on Tweed beaches
7 October 2026 Have your say on a new policy for managing deceased whales on Tweed beaches and help shape a safe, transparent approach for future marine animal incidents.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
New chapter for The Tweed Tourism Company from 1 October
2 October 2026 The Tweed Tourism Company has commenced a new chapter in the delivery of tourism services.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Old Lismore Road upgrade to deliver safer road and new rainforest
25 September 2026 Old Lismore Road will be upgraded with safer two-way traffic, a new lit footpath and rainforest restoration, including 4,000 native plants to enhance local habitat.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
The Tweed shines bright in Lonely Planet's Global Travel Hotlist 2027
23 September 2026 The Tweed is shining on the world stage, earning a place in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027 for its stunning landscapes, vibrant villages and unforgettable experiences.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Election
Reece Byrnes elected as new Mayor of Tweed Shire
17 September 2026 A new leadership team will guide Tweed Shire Council, with councillors electing Cr Reece Byrnes as Mayor and Cr Meredith Dennis OAM as Deputy Mayor at a Council Meeting this morning.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Beach Life comes to the Tweed
14 September 2026 Discover the beauty of Australia’s coastline through Nicholas Harding’s acclaimed artworks, now on display at Tweed Regional Gallery in the inspiring Beach Life exhibition.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Small spaces, big impact: How parks signal community recovery
19 August 2026 Award-winning park upgrades across the Tweed are bringing communities back together, with flood-resilient, accessible spaces helping families reconnect, play and thrive after the 2022 floods.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Margaret Olley: Shapes of Stillness
3 September 2026 A new Margaret Olley painting for Tweed through the Sharing the National Collection program
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
New statewide consultation rules apply in the Tweed
3 September 2026 From 1 September 2026, new NSW Government consultation requirements have come into effect for planning and development matters across the State.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Green light for next stage of Clarrie Hall Dam raising proposal
1 September 2026 The NSW Minister for Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has approved the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed raising of Clarrie Hall Dam.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Waste
Have your say on Hastings Point Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade
25 August 2026 The Hastings Point WWTP currently services around 12,860 residents and visitors across Cabarita Beach, Bogangar, Hastings Point and Pottsville.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Council supports staged Regional Indoor Sports and Aquatic Centre
26 August 2026 Council has backed a staged Regional Indoor Sports and Aquatic Centre, prioritising much-needed indoor courts now while exploring future aquatic facilities for the growing Tweed community.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Waste
2026 Wollumbin Art Award winners announced
29 August 2026 Celebrating outstanding local creativity, the 2026 Wollumbin Art Award recognised regional artists and young talent, with Stephen Bird taking top honours and a $15,000 prize.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Council meeting
Extraordinary Council meeting – Tuesday 25 August
21 August 2026 Council to consider a 'notice to alter' relating to its recent decision on the proposed Tweed Regional Indoor Sports and Aquatic Centre.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Draft Growth Management, Housing and Employment Strategy open for feedback
Council put its draft Growth Management, Housing and Employment Strategy on exhibition — a shire-wide plan identifying capacity for 11,200 new homes by 2041 (up to 27,400 longer-term) and over 10,900 jobs.
What this means for you: You can read the draft strategy and make a submission if where and how the Tweed grows over the next 15+ years matters to you — as at when checked (mid-July 2026) it was open for a further ~7 weeks; confirm the current closing date on the project page.
Source: Your Say Tweed — Draft Growth Management, Housing and Employment Strategy
- Development
Wardrop Valley employment land rezoning on exhibition
A planning proposal to rezone land at Wardrop Valley Road, South Murwillumbah for local centre, industrial and productivity-support uses (with environmentally sensitive parts protected) was publicly exhibited from 1–29 July 2026.
What this means for you: If you live near South Murwillumbah, this is a rezoning proposal, not yet an approved development — written submissions were open until 4 pm Wednesday 29 July 2026, and the NSW Planning Minister's delegate (not Council) is the determining authority.
- Policy
Council tells the story of four years of flood recovery
Tweed Shire Council launched a six-week flood resilience media series (19 June – 24 July 2026) covering how the community has rebuilt since the 2022 and 2024 floods and Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred — nearly 5,000 damaged sites and close to $350 million in recovery works.
What this means for you: If you live in a flood-affected part of the Tweed, the series covers what's been rebuilt (like Murwillumbah's Budd Park and railway precinct) and what's still being planned, such as the South Murwillumbah Masterplan for flood-buyback land.
Source: The Echo — Tweed Shire Council presents flood resilience series
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