What the council is working on
Recent deliveries, what's underway now, and what's planned next — drawn from the council's own plans, budgets and project pages. We report what the council has publicly said it's doing; every item links to its source.
The council's stated direction
Uralla's direction is set out in its Community Strategic Plan 2025–2034 — vision: "A vibrant community with a growing economy and sustainable lifestyle that values its heritage" — delivered through a Delivery Program and an annual Operational Plan and Budget. The 2026–27 plan, adopted 24 June 2026, is built around an IPART-approved special rate variation and what the Mayor described as a "no frills" approach to protecting essential services.
The council manages more than 900 km of local roads, water and sewer services for Uralla and Bundarra, waste, parks, libraries and planning across 3,226 km² of the Northern Tablelands. Its Community Strategic Plan groups the shire's goals under four pillars, and is explicit that council plays three different roles depending on the issue: Deliver (where it has direct control), Partner (where it shares responsibility) and Advocate (where it seeks to influence outcomes on behalf of the community).
Council describes itself as being in an unsustainable long-term financial position in the Long Term Financial Plan material published with its special rate variation consultation. IPART approved a permanent special variation of 58.06% over two years on 2 June 2026 (28.5% in 2026–27, 23% in 2027–28, both inclusive of the rate peg), and council adopted the 2026–27 Operational Plan and Budget on that basis three weeks later. After submissions raised concerns about the rating model, council also resolved to review its rating structure before the 2027–28 budget, and introduced a new rating category for renewable energy developments in the shire.
Underway now
Special rate variation and the 2026–27 Budget
Approved 2 June 2026; applies in 2026–27 and 2027–28IPART approved a permanent special variation of 58.06% over two years — 28.5% in 2026–27 and 23% in 2027–28, both inclusive of the annual rate peg. Council adopted its 2026–27 Operational Plan and Budget on 24 June 2026 on that basis, describing it as a "no frills" budget focused on keeping essential services running and maintaining infrastructure. The variation applies to the general rate only, not to water, sewer, waste or stormwater charges. Council also introduced a new rating category for renewable energy developments and resolved to review its rating structure, with community engagement, before the 2027–28 budget.
Source: Uralla Shire Council — Operational Plan and Budget 2026-2027 approved
Growth Management Strategy 2026–2046
Draft on public exhibition for 28 days from 26 June 2026Council placed a draft Uralla Shire Growth Management Strategy 2026–2046 on public exhibition, setting out how it proposes to manage land use and settlement growth over the next 20 years. Council reported a strong community response to this draft and to the draft Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan, which it attributed to community interest in and concern about the New England Renewable Energy Zone.
Source: Uralla Shire Council — Community invited to shape Uralla Shire's future growth
Water security for Uralla and Bundarra
Ongoing through 2026Water supply is a recurring theme for the council, which runs the town water systems for both Uralla and Bundarra. Bundarra returned to Level 2 restrictions in July 2026 after below-average rainfall and declining local supplies, then eased back to Level 1 in August 2026 as flows improved in Taylors Pond. Council has published material on how it manages the supply and on its longer-term water planning work, including a strategic water planning study on its Your Say portal.
Source: Uralla Shire Council — What we're doing to secure our water future
Recently delivered
Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan
Adopted 29 July 2026Council adopted a Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan to guide its advocacy, planning and preparedness as renewable energy development continues across the region. Uralla Shire sits inside the New England Renewable Energy Zone. In August 2026 council welcomed the proposed NE REZ Access Scheme while calling for stronger coordination, greater transparency and a formal role for local government in managing the cumulative impacts of renewable development.
Source: Uralla Shire Council — Council adopts Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan