NSW · Hunter (Upper Hunter) · Local council, made simple
Upper Hunter Shire Council
A large, sparsely-populated rural shire in the Upper Hunter Valley — around 14,400 people across Scone, Aberdeen, Merriwa, Murrurundi and surrounding villages, with Scone known as the 'Horse Capital of Australia' for its thoroughbred studs. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, water and sewer, 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.
Special Rate Variation: +10%/yr for 3 years (2025–26 to 2027–28)
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets 4 of 9 OLG financial benchmarks (2023–24)
Open →Crime & safetyUpper Hunter's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
5 of 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Maurice Collison
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) 6540 1100
Open →Shire profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~14,400 across ~8,096 km²
Open →What's happening
12 updatesAuto-collected from Upper Hunter Shire Council's public channels and drafted in plain language (pending review).
- Election
Mayors Column 11 September 2026
Published on 11 September 2026 A potential $2 million annual increase in Council’s federal assistance grants, subject to adoption of a new funding methodology.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Council meeting
Council Meeting Recap July 2026
Published on 28 July 2026 Upper Hunter Shire Council met on Monday 27 July 2026 to consider matters relating to community funding, development applications, infrastructure delivery, financial reporting, local government advocacy and future sporting facilities across the Shire.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Monthly Works Schedule - Month Starting Monday, 7 September 2026
Published on 01 September 2026 Our crews have been working hard to maintain and improve our community infrastructure. Find out where Council is working this month.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Election
Mayors Column 24 August 2026
Published on 24 August 2026 September is shaping up to be a busy month across the Upper Hunter, with several great initiatives bringing people together, supporting important conversations and creating opportunities for people in our community.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Monthly Works Schedule - Month Starting Monday, 17 August 2026
Published on 13 August 2026 Our crews have been working hard to maintain and improve our community infrastructure. Find out where Council is working this month.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Election
Mayors Column 7 August 2026
Published on 07 August 2026 It has been another busy fortnight across the Upper Hunter, and this week in particular has given us the opportunity to recognise some of the people who help keep our Shire moving every day.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Local Government Week 2026
Published on 31 July 2026 From the water flowing through household taps to the roads connecting rural properties, much of Council’s work forms part of everyday life without always being noticed. Local Government Week, running from Monday 3 August to Sunday 9 August 2026, provides an opportunity to recognise the wide range of services Upper Hunter Shire Council delivers and the people who keep them operating.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Election
Mayor and Deputy Mayor cautiously welcome recent funding announcements
Published on 31 July 2026 Upper Hunter Shire Council has cautiously welcomed two recent announcements addressing issues Council has advocated on for several years: fairer funding for local government and greater financial returns for communities hosting renewable energy projects.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Council meeting
Council Meeting Recap August 2026
Published on 01 September 2026 Upper Hunter Shire Council met on Monday 31 August 2026 to consider matters relating to regional health services, long-term financial planning, infrastructure delivery, community facilities, land-use planning and regional advocacy.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Council meeting
Councillor's Upper Hunter–Muswellbrook merger motion put to council
A councillor moved for the council to explore a possible amalgamation with neighbouring Muswellbrook Shire as a response to financial pressures; the motion was subsequently rejected by the council.
What this means for you: No merger is proceeding. The debate reflects the council's focus on financial sustainability; any amalgamation would be a NSW Government process, not a council decision on its own.
Source: Newcastle Herald — Upper Hunter council rejects Muswellbrook merger motion
- Policy
IPART approves Upper Hunter's 3-year Special Rate Variation
IPART approved a permanent Special Rate Variation for Upper Hunter Shire Council of 10% in general income each year for three years from 2025–26 to 2027–28 (about 33.1% cumulative), including the standard rate peg. The council said it is needed to address a core deficit in its General Fund.
What this means for you: General rates income rises 10% a year for three years and the increase is permanent. The peg/SRV caps the council's total rates income, not each bill; your individual change also depends on your land value at the latest revaluation.
Source: IPART — Upper Hunter Shire Council Special Variation 2025–26 (Final Report)
- Election
Councillors re-elect Maurice Collison as Mayor
At the first meeting of the new council (14 October 2024) the nine councillors re-elected Maurice Collison as Mayor and elected Pat Ryan as Deputy Mayor, each for a two-year term.
What this means for you: Upper Hunter's Mayor is chosen by the councillors, not by popular vote, and the role is reviewed every two years — so it can change mid-term without a general election.
Source: Upper Hunter Shire Council — Council elects Mayor and Deputy Mayor
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