VIC · Great South Coast · Local council, made simple
Warrnambool City Council
About 36,000 people live in the City of Warrnambool on Victoria's south-west coast — the city itself plus Allansford, Dennington, Bushfield, Woodford and Yangery. Seven councillors, one per ward, choose the Mayor each year. The council runs your four bins, local roads, parks, libraries and planning, and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, followed by what 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, the municipal and waste charges, and how to pay.
2026–27: general rates and municipal charge +2.75% (state cap); waste charge $475.70
Open →Budget & financesWarrnambool's financial indicators, each shown next to the Victorian median.
Average rate per property: $2,162 (Vic median $1,937)
Open →Crime & safetyWarrnambool's recorded offence rates, side by side with the Victorian rate.
6 of 11 offence rates below the Victorian rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsYour ward councillor, the Mayor, and how to contact them.
Mayor: Cr Ben Blain
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, how Warrnambool's 7 wards vote, and the 2024 results.
Next election: Sat 28 Oct 2028 (by post)
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council: phone, email, live chat and address.
Phone: 1300 003 280
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: 36,255 (ABS, June 2025)
Open →What's happening
5 updatesRecent items from Warrnambool City Council's public channels, in plain language.
We check Warrnambool City Council's website every day, but we can't read it. It refuses requests from our collector, so anything below was recorded by hand and may be out of date. This says nothing about what the council has published — these are the pages we watch:
- Have your say
Draft Allansford Transport and Access Strategy out for comment
The council released a draft strategy for safe traffic and pedestrian movement in Allansford, with 13 recommendations covering the Garabaldi Lane / Princes Highway intersection, Ziegler Parade, the school precinct, Brown Street and Carrolls Road, cycling and walking, and future residential areas. Comments closed on 27 September 2026.
What this means for you: Your comments will be considered before the council adopts the strategy, and used to seek external funding for its recommendations.
Source: Your Say Warrnambool
- Have your say
Final draft Bushfield-Woodford Strategic Framework Plan open for comment
The council published the final draft of its plan for land use and growth in Bushfield and Woodford over up to 20 years, updated after community feedback, bushfire and onsite wastewater studies, and new state guidelines on regional town boundaries. Comments were open from 25 August to 27 September 2026.
What this means for you: Feedback will be considered in October 2026, with the final plan going to the council for adoption in November 2026, followed by a planning scheme amendment.
Source: Your Say Warrnambool
- Policy
2026–27 Budget and Annual Action Plan adopted
On 1 June 2026 the council adopted its Budget and Annual Action Plan for 2026–27. The draft raised the average general rate and municipal charge by 2.75%, the state cap, and the waste charge by $42.25 to $475.70, and put $13.47 million into asset renewal.
What this means for you: Your 2026–27 rates notice reflects the adopted budget. See the Rates & fees topic for the rates in the dollar and charges (from the draft).
Source: Your Say Warrnambool
- Policy
Open Space Strategy 2026–2041 adopted
The council adopted its new Open Space Strategy at its 1 June 2026 meeting, replacing the 2014 strategy. Community feedback asked for better-quality, more accessible open space with more seating, shelter and tree canopy.
What this means for you: The strategy guides future park and reserve improvements, and leads to an Open Space Contributions Policy for developers (consultation closed 7 July 2026).
Source: Your Say Warrnambool
- Waste
Waste services survey ahead of a new kerbside contract
Ahead of a new kerbside collection contract in 2026, the council asked residents what's working in its four-bin system and whether they want changes such as an annual hard waste pick-up, weekly FOGO in spring or larger landfill bins, and what they would pay. The survey closed on 10 November 2025.
What this means for you: Any extra services would be reflected in the waste management charge on your rates notice.
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Warrnambool City Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.