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.
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
2 updatesRecent items from Wingecarribee Shire Council's public channels, in plain language.
- 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
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