NSW · Orana · Local council, made simple
Warrumbungle Shire Council
One of the most sparsely populated councils in NSW — about 9,200 people across 12,372 km² of central-western NSW, roughly one person per square kilometre. It is six towns rather than one: Coonabarabran (the council seat) and Coolah each have an administration office, with Dunedoo, Binnaway, Mendooran and Baradine alongside them, so which town you live in changes your bin day, your pool and your counter. The shire holds Warrumbungle National Park — Australia's first dark sky park — and Siding Spring Observatory, which is why outdoor lighting is planned for here in ways it isn't elsewhere. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, water and sewer, 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 rate peg: 3.9% (applied in full)
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
4 of 9 OLG benchmarks met (2023–24)
Open →Crime & safetyWarrumbungle's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
3 of 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Kathryn Rindfleish
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.
Coonabarabran: (02) 6849 2000 · Coolah: (02) 6378 5000
Open →Area profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~9,239 across 12,372 km²
Open →What's happening
4 updatesRecent items from Warrumbungle Shire Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Policy
Small Heritage Grants open for 2026–2027
Owners of heritage-listed properties and buildings within Warrumbungle Shire can apply for funding through the council's Small Heritage Grants Program 2026-2027 for conservation and restoration works — repairs to walls, roofs, doors, windows and guttering, approved painting schemes, reinstating verandahs, and structural assessments. Applications opened on Friday 7 August 2026 and close on Thursday 3 September 2026.
What this means for you: If your property is a heritage item or sits in a conservation area under the Warrumbungle Local Environmental Plan 2013, this is money towards conservation work. It does not fund general improvements such as new kitchens or bathrooms. Forms are online or at the Coonabarabran and Coolah offices.
Source: Warrumbungle Shire Council — Small Heritage Grants 2026-2027
- Policy
Healthy Warrumbungles project wins a 2026 NSW Local Government Excellence Award
Warrumbungle Shire Council's Working Together for Healthy Warrumbungles project won the Partnerships and Collaboration category (population under 100,000) at the 2026 NSW Local Government Excellence Awards. The project brought the council together with Western NSW Local Health District, Western NSW Primary Health Network, NSW Ambulance and the Rural Doctors Network to develop a Health and Wellbeing Masterplan for the shire.
What this means for you: This is a statewide recognition rather than a new service, but it points to a health and wellbeing plan built from community consultation across the shire's towns — the source below links to the detail.
Source: Inside Local Government — Warrumbungle health project wins big at LG Excellence Awards
- Policy
Council adopts its 2026/27 Operational Plan and budget
Warrumbungle Shire Council adopted its Operational Plan 2026/27 on 28 May 2026. It funds $44.7 million of services and a $26.7 million capital works program, applies the full IPART rate peg of 3.9%, and projects a net operating surplus of $43K after capital grants and contributions (a $6.8M deficit before them).
What this means for you: Your general rates rise by the peg amount this year, subject to how your land value moved at the Valuer General's revaluation for rating from 1 July 2026. The capital list names works in specific towns — Dunedoo's sewage treatment plant, Coolah's water treatment plant, Coonabarabran's water mains and aerodrome, plus rural gravel resheeting and causeway upgrades.
Source: Warrumbungle Shire Council — Operational Plan 2026/27
- Waste
Waste charges for 2026/27 set at $140 base plus $459 for a domestic collection
The council's 2026/27 Revenue Policy sets the waste management charge levied on every rateable property at $140 (up from $135), and the domestic waste collection charge — for properties with a kerbside service, including rural runs — at $459 (up from $442). Additional recycling bins are charged at $133 for a 240 litre bin and $169 for a 360 litre bin.
What this means for you: Every rateable property pays the $140 base charge whether or not it has a kerbside bin, and that charge includes one free 240 litre bin of rubbish plus sorted recycling on each visit to a council waste facility. Only properties inside the defined collection area pay the $459 collection charge on top.
Source: Warrumbungle Shire Council — Operational Plan 2026/27 Appendices: Revenue Policy
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Warrumbungle Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.