What the council is working on
Recent deliveries, what's underway now, and what's planned next — drawn from the council's own plans, budgets and project pages. We report what the council has publicly said it's doing; every item links to its source.
The council's stated direction
The council's direction is set by its Council Plan 2025–2029, adopted in June 2025, which also takes in the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan and the long-term Community Vision. It was developed through meetings across the Shire's towns, 'Coffee with a Councillor' sessions in 11 townships and a survey. Each year the council adopts an action plan and a Budget; the Year 2 actions were presented to the council in July 2026.
The Community Vision: Yarriambiack Shire is 'A strong and connected community prioritising sustainable and innovative approaches to support the wellbeing of our people, economy and environment'. The Council Plan turns this into four strategic objectives.
The 2026–27 Budget, adopted on 24 June 2026, keeps general rates and the municipal charge within the 2.75% state cap, raises residential and rural waste charges by 10% and commercial waste charges by 50%, and funds a $9.86 million capital works program, including $1.66 million of raised pedestrian crossings near schools in Hopetoun, Rupanyup, Beulah, Murtoa and Warracknabeal, and the carried-forward $1.38 million Hopetoun Swimming Pool upgrade. It forecasts an operating deficit of $577,104. Major initiatives include seeking funding for the Hopetoun former school site, a Beulah supermarket and wider strategic roads, housing partnerships, and advocacy under the council's position statement on mining, renewables and transmission. The Mayor's introduction says rates and charges cover about 51% of the council's expenditure, leaving it reliant on grants.
- Yarriambiack Shire Council — Council Plan 2025–2029 (PDF) · 2025–2029
- Yarriambiack Shire Council — Council Plan adopted (news, 2 Jul 2025) · 2 Jul 2025
- Yarriambiack Shire Council — Council Plans and Strategic Resource Plans · Sep 2026
- Yarriambiack Shire Council — Budget 2026–27 (PDF; §2 initiatives, §4.1.1 rates, capital works) · 2026–27
- Yarriambiack Shire Council — Council meeting minutes, 24 June 2026 (PDF; item 15.1) · 24 Jun 2026
Underway now
Waste and recycling service changes
From 1 July 2026Residential and rural waste charges up 10% and commercial up 50%, general waste at transfer stations $45 per cubic metre, reduced transfer station hours, a fee-for-service hard waste collection, and the permanent closure of the Yaapeet and Patchewollock transfer stations. The council says the aim is to stop waste services being subsidised by rates.
Source: Yarriambiack Shire Council — Waste & Recycling Changes (news, 26 Mar 2026)
Hopetoun Swimming Pool major upgrades
Carried forward into the 2026–27 BudgetThe 2026–27 Budget carries forward $1.38 million for major upgrades to the Hopetoun Swimming Pool, plus $14,000 for a new pool cover. The council's meetings page lists an unscheduled closed meeting in early 2026 to consider awarding the tender for the pool's major repairs.
Source: Yarriambiack Shire Council — Budget 2026–27 (PDF; capital works)
Planned / committed
Warracknabeal Education Precinct road safety works
Construction expected to start early 2027More than $1 million from Victoria's Safe Local Roads and Streets Program for raised pedestrian crossings, traffic calming, street lighting, connecting footpaths and signage on Werrigar Street, Anderson Street and parts of Campbell Street. The council says further improvements on Campbell Street need more funding, and is consulting on making it one-way between King Street and Lyle Street.
Source: Yarriambiack Shire Council — Improving Safety Around Warracknabeal Schools (news, 18 Sep 2026)
Food and garden organics (FOGO) bin
From 1 July 2027, subject to state regulationsThe council endorsed a 240-litre FOGO bin collected fortnightly, but says it will not introduce the service unless it is legislated and required; the state's service standard was still pending in March 2026.
Source: Yarriambiack Shire Council — Waste & Recycling Changes (news, 26 Mar 2026)
Recently delivered
Affordable housing in Hopetoun
Home complete, July 2026The Mayor reported that the council's Hopetoun affordable home is complete and will be handed over to Dunmunkle Lodge once the subdivision's power supply is fixed.
Source: Yarriambiack Shire Council — Mayoral Matters July 2026 (news, 23 Jul 2026)
Minyip Recreation Reserve lighting
Completed August 2026New lighting at the Minyip Recreation Reserve, delivered with the reserve committee and the Minyip-Murtoa Football Netball Club; the 2026–27 Budget lists $268,000 for the project.
Source: Yarriambiack Shire Council — Mayoral Matters August 2026 (news, 27 Aug 2026)