VIC · Wimmera — West Wimmera (Edenhope, Kaniva, Harrow, Goroke) · Local council, made simple
West Wimmera Shire Council
About 3,900 people live in West Wimmera Shire, on Victoria's border with South Australia — Edenhope, Kaniva, Harrow, Goroke, Apsley, Serviceton and farming country across more than 9,100 km². Five councillors are elected by the whole Shire, and they choose the Mayor. The council runs your bins, local roads, parks and planning, and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, then the things that affect 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 cap, how your bill is worked out, due dates and help paying.
2026–27: average general rate and municipal charge +2.75% (state cap)
Open →Budget & financesThe council's standard financial measures, each next to the Victorian median.
Average rate per property: $1,709 (Vic median $1,937), 2024–25
Open →Crime & safetyOffences recorded in the Shire by Victoria Police, next to the Victorian rate.
Offences recorded, year to June 2026
Open →Mayor & councillorsYour five councillors, the Mayor, and how they are chosen.
Mayor: Cr Tim Meyer (re-elected Nov 2025)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, how the Shire votes, and the 2024 result.
Next election: Sat 28 Oct 2028 (by post)
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council and report a problem.
Phone: 13 99 72 (13 WWSC)
Open →Area profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is, which towns it covers.
Population: 3,915 (2025)
Open →What's happening
10 updatesRecent items from West Wimmera Shire Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Policy
Council backs Rural Councils Victoria's 'Invest in Rural Victoria' campaign
Ahead of the November 2026 state election, the council is supporting a campaign for more State Government investment in rural roads, community infrastructure, economic development and housing, centred on a proposed $1 billion Rural and Regional Victoria Productivity and Growth Fund.
What this means for you: This is the council's advocacy position; residents can add their voice on Rural Councils Victoria's website.
Source: West Wimmera Shire Council — West Wimmera backs call for greater investment in rural Victoria
- Have your say
Have your say on future waste and recycling services
The council is reviewing its waste and recycling services and asking residents and businesses about kerbside bins, glass recycling, a possible future FOGO service, transfer stations and free green waste disposal.
What this means for you: The survey takes about eight minutes and closes on 2 October 2026.
Source: West Wimmera Shire Council — Have your say on future waste and recycling services
- Waste
Free green waste fortnight, 26 September to 11 October 2026
Green waste can be dropped off free of charge at all council transfer stations from Saturday 26 September to Sunday 11 October 2026.
What this means for you: Check the transfer station opening hours before you go — most sites open only a few hours on set days.
Source: West Wimmera Shire Council — Free green waste period
- Have your say
Proposed flood planning controls for Harrow and Chetwynd
Draft Amendment C38wwim proposes new flood mapping and planning controls in Harrow and Chetwynd — a Floodway Overlay for higher-risk areas and an updated Land Subject to Inundation Overlay — plus administrative changes in Dergholm and Connewirricoo.
What this means for you: Submissions closed at 5pm on 28 September 2026. The draft maps and flood studies remain on the council's Have Your Say page.
Source: West Wimmera Shire Council — Community invited to have their say on proposed flood planning changes
- Policy
Department to investigate pedestrian concerns on the Western Highway in Kaniva
The Department of Transport and Planning has confirmed it will investigate rutting and uneven surfaces on the highway through Kaniva's business area and consider interim measures. The council says it will keep pressing for a timeframe for repairs.
What this means for you: Report urgent state-road hazards to the department on 13 11 70 and non-urgent issues through its online form.
Source: West Wimmera Shire Council — Council welcomes investigation into pedestrian safety concerns
- Policy
State declines lower speed limits requested for Goroke and Apsley
The Minister for Roads and Road Safety did not support the council's requests for electronic 40 km/h school zone signs and a 50 km/h limit on Natimuk-Frances Road in Goroke, or for speed zone changes in Apsley. The department will move Goroke's 60 km/h gateway signs further east of the cemetery.
What this means for you: The department expected to install the relocated Goroke signs by the end of September 2026 and has offered to meet council officers about pedestrian improvements near the school and health centre.
Source: West Wimmera Shire Council — Key speed zone safety requests not supported for Goroke and Apsley
- Development
New kindergarten to be built at Edenhope College
The Victorian Government announced a new one-room kindergarten at Edenhope College under its Best Start, Best Life reforms, due for completion before the 2028 school year.
What this means for you: The Department of Education will appoint the operator, and the Victorian School Building Authority oversees construction; children who attend can still choose any primary school.
Source: West Wimmera Shire Council — New kindergarten coming to Edenhope
- Policy
State takes over maintenance of arterial roads in the Shire
From 1 July 2026 the Department of Transport and Planning and its contractors maintain the state-managed arterial roads in West Wimmera, ending the council's contract role. The council says it had offered to continue the work.
What this means for you: Report problems on highways and main roads to the department (13 11 70 for urgent hazards); council-controlled local roads still go to the council on 13 99 72.
Source: West Wimmera Shire Council — End of an era as road maintenance arrangements change
- Policy
2026–27 Budget adopted
The council adopted its 2026–27 Budget, fees and charges and Annual Plan at its 17 June 2026 meeting in Benayeo: a capital works program of about $8.27 million and total budgeted income of $25.862 million, with the average general rate and municipal charge up 2.75%.
What this means for you: The first rates instalment is due 30 September 2026. The urban 120-litre waste charge rises to $421.50 and the glass bin charge to $63.
Source: West Wimmera Shire Council — West Wimmera Shire Council adopts 2026-27 budget
- Council meeting
Cr Tim Meyer re-elected Mayor; Cr Helen Hobbs Deputy Mayor
At the council's annual statutory meeting in Edenhope, Cr Tim Meyer was re-elected Mayor for a fourth term and Cr Helen Hobbs was elected Deputy Mayor.
What this means for you: Victorian mayors are elected by the councillors, not by voters. The next vote is at the Annual Statutory Meeting on 4 November 2026.
Source: West Wimmera Shire Council — West Wimmera Shire Councils re-elects Cr Tim Meyer as Mayor
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from West Wimmera Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.