NSW · Southern Highlands · Local council, made simple
Wingecarribee Shire Council
The Southern Highlands council, about 110 km south-west of Sydney and mostly above 600 m elevation — around 53,500 people across towns like Bowral, Mittagong, Moss Vale, Bundanoon and Robertson, known for cool-climate gardens, the Tulip Time festival and rural villages. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, roads, water and sewer, parks, libraries — 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.
Open for your feedback
See all →Things Wingecarribee Shire Council wants your say on right now. Your view counts for more before the deadline.
- Open — see source for the closing date
Calling Southern Highlands artists: 2027 exhibition opportunities
Have your say →
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.
2025–26 rate peg: 3.9%
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets all 9 OLG financial benchmarks
Open →Crime & safetyWingecarribee's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
11 of 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Jesse Fitzpatrick (Independent)
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: 1300 680 888
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~53,500
Open →What's happening
31 updatesAuto-collected from Wingecarribee Shire Council's public channels and drafted in plain language (pending review).
- Policy
Bundanoon Village Place Plan takes form with funding for safer village
Wingecarribee Shire Council has secured $1. 26 million through the NSW Government's Towards Zero Safer Roads Program for significant pedestrian safety improvements in Bundanoon village centre.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Waste
Check your bin collection schedule
Council continues to improve waste collection services to support efficient collection routes and reliable services. Learn more and see how you can check your bin collection schedule.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Waste
Minister visits Moss Vale to mark progress on major wastewater upgrade
The future of Moss Vale's essential water infrastructure was in the spotlight today, with NSW Minister for Water Rose Jackson joining Wingecarribee Shire Council to inspect progress on the $62 million Moss Vale Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) Upgrade.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Improving reliability through annual water meter renewals
Council will begin its annual water meter renewal program on Monday 9 November 2026, with works expected to continue across the Shire for up to three months.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Caring for places of remembrance while creating local employment
A partnership between Wingecarribee Shire Council and Challenge Southern Highlands is helping maintain local cemeteries while creating meaningful employment opportunities for people with disability.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Election
Council Pays Tribute to Former Councillor David Fairall
Council acknowledges the passing of former Councillor David Fairall, who served on Council following the 1999 local government elections.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Election
Mayor Condemns Attack on Dr Helen Haines
Read the Mayoral Statement.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Council resolves to proceed with 34.4% Special Rate Variation
Wingecarribee Shire Council has resolved to proceed with an application for a cumulative 34. 4% Special Rate Variation (SRV) over three years, from 2027/28 to 2029/30, to support the long-term financial sustainability of the Shire.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Wingecarribee changemaker honoured at Women in Local Government Awards
Riley Doherty, Water Crew Member at Wingecarribee Shire Council, was today announced winner of the Breaking Barriers Award at the 2026 Ministers' Awards for Women in Local Government.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Council meeting
Statement Regarding Councillor Expulsion from Council Meeting
At today's Ordinary Meeting of Wingecarribee Shire Council, Councillor Moylan was expelled from the remainder of the meeting following an act of disorder.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Wingecarribee celebrates success at NSW Tidy Towns Awards
Wingecarribee Shire Council has been recognised at the 2026 NSW Tidy Towns Awards, receiving awards across three categories for projects delivering environmental and sustainability outcomes across the shire.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Council to maintain opposition at Repoly Court hearing
Wingecarribee Shire Mayor Erin Foley will represent Council at the NSW Land and Environment Court hearing into the proposed Moss Vale Plastics Recycling Facility, commencing on 19 October 2026.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Nominate a community champion for 2027 Citizen of the Year Awards
Nominations are now open for the 2027 Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year awards, recognising people who make an outstanding contribution to the community.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Calling Southern Highlands artists: 2027 exhibition opportunities
Council is inviting artists, schools, community groups, organisations and creative collectives to submit an Expression of Interest for two exciting arts opportunities in 2027
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Road Ahead: Progress on Repairs and Projects – September 2026
Road maintenance crews remained active across the Shire during September, completing a significant program of pothole repairs across several towns.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Tulip bulb giveaway returns following Tulip Time 2026
Residents will once again have the opportunity to take home a piece of Tulip Time, with Wingecarribee Shire Council offering free tulip bulbs following the conclusion of Tulip Time 2026.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Old South Road Traffic Changes – Road Surface Investigations
Motorists are advised of temporary traffic changes on Old South Road between Bong Bong Road and approximately 900 metres south towards Moss Vale on Thursday 8 October, Friday 9 October and Monday 12 October
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Future Forum Sparks Regenerative Conversations
Local farmers, industry experts and community leaders came together at the Southern Highlands Future Forum to explore the future of food, farming and climate resilience, highlighting practical opportunities to strengthen local food systems, support regenerative agriculture and build regional resilience.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Be Part of the 2026 Garage Sale Trail
Get ready to declutter, discover hidden treasures and connect with your community as Australia’s biggest second-hand treasure hunt returns to Wingecarribee Shire.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Living tribute takes root through Council's tree donation initiative
A special tree planting at Bundanoon Oval has marked the first contribution under Council’s new tree donation initiative, a program designed to help grow and protect the Shire’s tree canopy.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Event
Give your clothes a second life with repair and upcycling workshops
Council is inviting residents to learn practical sewing and clothing repair skills through a four-part workshop series designed to reduce textile waste and help clothes last longer.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Council represents community at Senate inquiry on data centres and AI
Representatives from Wingecarribee Shire Council yesterday appeared before the Senate Environment and Communications References Committee’s Inquiry into Artificial Intelligence and Data Centres.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Event
Spring into school holiday fun with Bloom & Play
Step into a garden of creativity, fun and imagination these school holidays at Bloom & Play, a free family event part of Tulip Time.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Council backs local performers as Tulip Time sets the stage
Local musicians, performers and entertainers are set to take centre stage across the Southern Highlands, with new opportunities to busk and perform during major community events including the Tulip Time Flower Festival and the upcoming Highlands Christmas celebrations.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Election
Council elects Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the next two years
Wingecarribee Shire Council has elected Councillor Erin Foley as Mayor and Councillor David Kent as Deputy Mayor for the next two years.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Development
Moss Vale Wattle Hill and Park Leigh Planning Proposal
Council wishes to clarify that the recent determination regarding the Wattle Hill and Park Leigh Planning Proposal to proceed to a Gateway determination, was not a decision made by Council.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Mapping Koala habitat across the Wingecarribee Shire
Council has released a series of maps showing areas of koala habitat and the vegetation that supports koalas across the Shire, helping to guide long-term koala conservation, planning and environmental assessment.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Council and State Library partner to explore perceptions of safety
Council is partnering with the State Library of NSW to better understand perceptions of safety and how these perceptions shape their experiences of libraries and their surrounding precincts through a project at Bowral Library.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Proposed funding change would strip $2.7 million a year
Wingecarribee Shire Council is strongly opposing a proposed change to the way Commonwealth Financial Assistance Grants are distributed to NSW councils that could see approximately $2. 7 million a year removed from funding available to our Shire.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Council's new single contact number is now live
Wingecarribee switched to a single contact number, 1300 680 888, which now reaches all council services, replacing the old main line and individual department numbers.
What this means for you: You can now reach any council service on one number — update your saved contact for the council to 1300 680 888.
- Policy
Operational Plan 2025/2026 & capital works program
The council's Operational Plan 2025/2026 sets out the year's services, budget and a capital works program of about $88M across roads, footpaths and water/sewer assets.
What this means for you: These documents show what the council plans to do and fund this year, including how your rates are used and which projects are prioritised.
Source: Wingecarribee Shire Council — Operational Plan 2025/2026
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Wingecarribee Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.