VIC · Wimmera Mallee — Yarriambiack (Warracknabeal, Hopetoun) · Local council, made simple
Yarriambiack Shire Council
About 6,300 people live in Yarriambiack Shire in Victoria's Wimmera and Mallee — Warracknabeal, Hopetoun, Murtoa, Minyip, Rupanyup, Beulah, Woomelang and smaller towns, spread across about 7,300 km² of grain country. Six councillors are elected, two for each of three wards, and they choose the Mayor each year. 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.
Open for your feedback
See all →Things Yarriambiack Shire Council wants your say on right now. Your view counts for more before the deadline.
- Closes in 22 days
Renewal of ground lease — VicTrack Lot 35, Patchewollock
Have your say → - Closes in 24 days
Proposed one-way traffic on Campbell Street, Warracknabeal
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 cap, how your bill is worked out, due dates and help paying.
2026–27: rate cap 2.75%; general rate 0.3097 cents per $ of CIV
Open →Budget & financesThe council's standard financial measures, each next to the Victorian median.
Average rate per property: $1,795 (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 six councillors, the Mayor, and how they are chosen.
Mayor: Cr Andrew McLean (elected Nov 2025, one-year term)
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: (03) 5398 0100
Open →Area profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is, which towns it covers.
Population: 6,295 (2025)
Open →What's happening
7 updatesRecent items from Yarriambiack Shire Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Have your say
Have your say: one-way traffic proposed for Campbell Street, Warracknabeal
The council proposes making Campbell Street one-way between King Street and Lyle Street, near the Warracknabeal Education Precinct, to reduce conflicts between buses, cars and pedestrians and to allow a wider footpath.
What this means for you: Submissions close at 12 noon on Thursday 22 October 2026. Any change needs a council resolution at an Ordinary Meeting after the consultation.
Source: Yarriambiack Shire Council — Proposed One-Way Traffic Change on Campbell Street, Warracknabeal
- Development
More than $1 million for road safety works around Warracknabeal schools
Funding from Victoria's Safe Local Roads and Streets Program will pay for raised pedestrian crossings, traffic calming, street lighting, footpaths and signage on Werrigar Street, Anderson Street and parts of Campbell Street.
What this means for you: Construction is expected to start in early 2027.
Source: Yarriambiack Shire Council — Improving Safety Around Warracknabeal Schools
- Have your say
Have your say: ten-year lease for the Patchewollock silo art walking track
The council is seeking feedback on a new ten-year ground lease with VicTrack for Lot 35, Patchewollock, next to the Patchewollock Silo Art, backdated to February 2022, which keeps the community walking track open.
What this means for you: Written submissions are due by 5pm on Tuesday 20 October 2026.
Source: Yarriambiack Shire Council — Have Your Say – Renewal of Lease – VicTrack Lot 35 Patchewollock
- Policy
Plague locusts: landholders to prepare for spring ground spraying
The council reminds landholders that they are responsible for managing Australian plague locusts on their land, and advises spraying about two weeks after hatching with APVMA-registered chemicals.
What this means for you: Agriculture Victoria's locust pages have the latest situation and chemical-use rules; notify neighbours and check for beehives before spraying.
Source: Yarriambiack Shire Council — Plague Locusts - Ground Spraying
- Policy
2026–27 Budget adopted
The council adopted its 2026–27 Budget unanimously on 24 June 2026: general rates within the 2.75% cap, a $9.86 million capital works program and a forecast operating deficit of $577,104. No community submissions were received on the draft.
What this means for you: The standard residential rubbish, recycling and glass charge rises 10% to $598.86 a year. The first rates instalment is due 30 September 2026.
Source: Yarriambiack Shire Council — Council meeting minutes, 24 June 2026 (item 15.1)
- Waste
Waste and recycling changes from 1 July 2026
After a survey that drew 173 responses, the council resolved to raise waste charges, cut transfer station hours, introduce a fee-for-service hard waste collection and permanently close the Yaapeet and Patchewollock transfer stations.
What this means for you: Yaapeet and Patchewollock residents can book the fee-for-service hard waste collection instead of using a local transfer station.
Source: Yarriambiack Shire Council — Waste & Recycling Changes
- Council meeting
Cr Andrew McLean elected Mayor, Cr Corinne Heintze Deputy Mayor
At the Statutory Meeting on 12 November 2025, Hopetoun Ward councillor Andrew McLean was elected Mayor for a one-year term, and Dunmunkle Ward councillor Corinne Heintze was appointed Deputy Mayor. Cr Kylie Zanker had been Mayor for the previous four years.
What this means for you: Victorian mayors are elected by the councillors, not by voters. The next Statutory Meeting is on 11 November 2026.
Source: Yarriambiack Shire Council — Statutory Meeting - Mayor and Deputy 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 Yarriambiack Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.