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NSW · Southern Tablelands · Local council, made simple

Upper Lachlan Shire Council

A Southern Tablelands council of about 8,900 people spread across 7,127 km² — Crookwell, Gunning and Taralga plus villages from Collector and Dalton to Binda, Bigga and Tuena, roughly 140 km from Canberra. Grazing and agriculture are the biggest employers, and several wind farms operate across the ridgelines. BOCSAR recorded all 12 major offences below the NSW rate in the year to March 2026, and the OLG puts the average residential rate about 47% below the NSW average. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, water, roads and bridges, parks, development — and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, then the stuff that affects your week.

Area profile
Population: ~8,875 across 7,127 km²
Mayor & councillors
Mayor: Paul Culhane (Independent)
Crime & safety
All 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Budget & finances
6 of 9 OLG benchmarks met (2023–24)
The Upper Lachlan Shire council area (official LGA boundary). Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Everyday essentials

The things people actually need from the council — fast.

Bins & recycling

When's my bin day?

Your collection days and what goes in each bin.

Check bin day →Report a problem

Something needs fixing?

Potholes, dumped rubbish, broken lights — how to report it to Upper Lachlan Shire.

How to report →

Open for your feedback

See all →

Things Upper Lachlan Shire Council wants your say on right now. Your view counts for more before the deadline.

Get to know your council

The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.

Rates & fees

This year's rate rise, how it compares across NSW, and why bills differ.

2026–27 rate peg: 4.9% — average residential rate ~47% below NSW

Open →Budget & finances

How financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.

6 of 9 OLG benchmarks met (2023–24)

Open →Crime & safety

Upper Lachlan's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.

All 12 major offences below the NSW rate

Open →Mayor & councillors

Who represents you — and where to read their official profiles.

Mayor: Paul Culhane (Independent)

Open →Elections & voting

When the next council election is, and how voting works.

Next election: Sat 9 Sep 2028

Open →Contact & services

How to reach the council and report a problem.

Customer service: (02) 4830 1000

Open →Area profile

The basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.

Population: ~8,875 across 7,127 km²

Open →
What the council is working onRecent deliveries, what's underway and what's planned next — each with a source.Priorities →

What's happening

46 updates

Auto-collected from Upper Lachlan Shire Council's public channels and drafted in plain language (pending review).

Email alerts aren't switched on yet

We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Upper Lachlan Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.