NSW · New England · Local council, made simple
Uralla Shire Council
A New England tablelands shire of about 6,100 people spread across 3,226 km² just south of Armidale — Uralla, Bundarra, Invergowrie, Kentucky and Kingstown — on an economy of superfine Merino wool, beef cattle and, increasingly, the New England Renewable Energy Zone. Home to Thunderbolt's Rock and McCrossin's Mill Museum. In June 2026 IPART approved a two-year, 58.06% special rate variation for the council, so rates are the story of the year here. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, water, roads, 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.
2026–27: general rates up 28.5% under an approved special variation
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
5 of 9 OLG benchmarks met (2023–24)
Open →Crime & safetyUralla's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
8 of 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Robert Bell (Independent) — popularly elected
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) 6778 6300
Open →Area profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~6,096 (2023–24)
Open →What's happening
5 updatesRecent items from Uralla Shire Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Policy
Council calls for a stronger local voice in the New England REZ rollout
On 6 August 2026 council said it welcomed the proposed New England Renewable Energy Zone Access Scheme while calling for stronger coordination, greater transparency and a formal role for local government in managing the cumulative impacts of renewable energy development across the region.
What this means for you: Renewable energy development is one of the largest changes underway in the shire — council introduced a new rating category for renewable energy developments in the 2026–27 budget and has adopted a Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan. This submission is council advocating on how the state-run scheme should work, not a decision that changes anything directly.
Source: Uralla Shire Council — Council calls for stronger local voice in REZ rollout
- Policy
Council adopts a Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan
On 29 July 2026 council adopted its Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan, a framework to guide the council's advocacy, planning and preparedness as renewable energy development continues across the region. Uralla Shire lies within the New England Renewable Energy Zone.
What this means for you: The plan is about how council positions itself on renewable development rather than a change to any council service. It sits alongside the draft Growth Management Strategy 2026–2046, which was on public exhibition around the same time — both attracted a strong community response according to council.
Source: Uralla Shire Council — Council adopts Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan
- Policy
Council adopts the 2026–27 Operational Plan and Budget
Council adopted its 2026–2027 Operational Plan and Budget on 24 June 2026, incorporating the IPART-approved special rate variation. It introduced a new rating category for renewable energy developments operating in the shire, and — after submissions during public exhibition raised concerns about the current rating model — resolved to review its rating structure, with further community engagement, before developing the 2027–28 budget.
What this means for you: This is the plan that sets what council will spend and deliver in 2026–27, and it is where the approved rate increase is applied. If you have views on how rates are split between categories, the rating-structure review announced with this budget is the process to watch.
Source: Uralla Shire Council — Operational Plan and Budget 2026-2027 approved
- Policy
IPART approves a 58.06% special rate variation over two years
On 2 June 2026 IPART approved Uralla Shire Council's application for a permanent special variation of 58.06% over two years — 28.5% in 2026–27 and a further 23% in 2027–28. Both percentages are inclusive of the annual rate peg, so the special variation replaces the ordinary peg as the cap on the council's general rates income for those two years; the ordinary peg (3.7% for Uralla in 2026–27) applies again from 2028–29.
What this means for you: For ratepayers, the general rate component of your notice rises materially in 2026–27 and again in 2027–28. The variation applies to the general rate only — water, sewer, waste and stormwater charges are set separately. It caps the council's total general-rates income rather than adding a fixed percentage to every bill: how much your own notice moves depends on your land value and rating category. Council's own consultation estimates put the average residential rate at $613 in 2025–26, $788 in 2026–27 and $969 in 2027–28.
Source: IPART — Decisions on council special variation applications, 2 June 2026
- Election
Stephen Wright elected councillor for Ward A at a by-election
A by-election for the Ward A vacancy was held on 18 April 2026. Eight candidates contested it and 1,796 formal votes were cast; Stephen Wright (IND) was elected on the distribution of preferences. Council announced the NSW Electoral Commission's formal declaration on 5 May 2026, and Cr Wright was sworn in at the ordinary council meeting on 26 May 2026.
What this means for you: Ward A residents have a full complement of four councillors again. The council's makeup is now the popularly elected Mayor plus eight councillors, four from each ward — the last term to be elected on ward lines, since the 2024 referendum passed a question removing the wards from the next ordinary election.
Source: Uralla Shire Council — By-election declared for Ward A
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We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Uralla Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.