Introduction
Warrumbungle Shire Council is the local government authority responsible for delivering municipal services, infrastructure and community-development programs across the Warrumbungle Shire in northwestern New South Wales, Australia.
The Council serves an area of approximately 12,380 square kilometres and a population of 9,118 people, based on the 2021 Census. Its principal towns and districts include Coonabarabran, Coolah, Baradine, Binnaway, Dunedoo and Mendooran. Coonabarabran is the main administrative centre, while the Council also maintains an administration office and Council Chambers in Coolah.
Warrumbungle Shire Council was formed in August 2004 through the voluntary amalgamation of the former Coonabarabran Shire Council and Coolah Shire Council. Both predecessor councils had been proclaimed in 1906. The current Council was therefore established through local government restructuring rather than by an individual founder, family or private company.
The Council is not a charitable foundation, research foundation or private donor organization. It is a statutory local government body operating under the Local Government Act 1993 of New South Wales. However, it performs an important local funding role by providing community grants, donations, heritage assistance and project support to eligible organizations and residents.
Its responsibilities include roads, water supply, sewerage, waste management, planning, community care, childcare, libraries, public facilities, recreation, economic development, tourism, environmental regulation and disaster recovery.
History and Background
Origins of Local Government in the Region
The modern Warrumbungle Shire developed from two historic local authorities: Coonabarabran Shire Council and Coolah Shire Council.
Both councils were proclaimed in 1906 and served their respective rural communities for almost a century. Their responsibilities included roads, public facilities, land-use planning, water services and other essential local government functions.
In August 2004, the two councils voluntarily amalgamated to form Warrumbungle Shire Council. The merger brought together a large geographic area containing several towns, villages, agricultural districts, national parks and tourism attractions.
The Council’s name reflects the Warrumbungle mountain range, one of the region’s most recognizable natural features.
Geographic and Cultural Context
The Warrumbungle Shire local government area sits across the traditional lands of several First Nations peoples.
The northern part of the Shire is located on Gamilaraay land, the southern area is associated with Wiradjuri land, and the western region includes Weilwan and Kawambarai, or Werrin, country.
The Shire is known for:
- The Warrumbungle mountain range
- Warrumbungle National Park
- Siding Spring Observatory
- Coolah Tops National Park
- The Pilliga forests
- Agricultural communities
- Clear night skies
- Nature-based and astronomy tourism
Warrumbungle National Park is recognized as Australia’s first Dark Sky Park, reinforcing the region’s international reputation for astronomy and stargazing.
Evolution of Council Responsibilities
Since the 2004 amalgamation, Warrumbungle Shire Council has expanded its role beyond traditional road maintenance, waste collection and regulatory services.
Its current responsibilities include:
- Economic and tourism development
- Community and youth services
- Children’s services
- Disability inclusion
- Aged and community care
- Environmental management
- Heritage conservation
- Emergency planning
- Regional advocacy
- Infrastructure renewal
- Digital community information
- Disaster recovery and resilience
The Council currently employs around 200 people and supports local businesses through procurement and local-preference policies.
Integrated Planning and Reporting
The Council’s long-term direction is developed through the New South Wales Integrated Planning and Reporting framework.
The framework includes:
- Community Strategic Plan
- Delivery Program
- Annual Operational Plan
- Resourcing Strategy
- Long-Term Financial Plan
- Asset Management Plans
- Workforce Plan
- Community Engagement Strategy
The Community Strategic Plan identifies community priorities over a period of at least ten years. The Delivery Program outlines what the elected Council intends to achieve during its term, while the annual Operational Plan identifies specific projects, services and budget allocations.
Mission and Purpose
Warrumbungle Shire Council’s vision is excellence in local government.
Its mission is to provide:
- Quality and cost-effective services that improve community lifestyle, environmental quality, opportunity and prosperity.
- Infrastructure and services that respond to the social and economic needs of the community now and in the future.
- Effective leadership and good governance supported by teamwork and a responsible, well-trained workforce.
Organizational Values
The Council identifies several values that guide its administration, staff conduct and community relationships.
These include:
- Honesty: Encouraging open discussion and responsibility for decisions.
- Integrity: Acting consistently with Council values.
- Fairness: Considering evidence and maintaining two-way communication.
- Compassion: Working for the benefit of the community and natural environment.
- Respect: Listening to residents, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Transparency: Maintaining open and accountable interactions.
- Passion: Delivering activities with enthusiasm and pride.
- Trust: Providing reliable services and fulfilling commitments.
- Opportunity: Creating pathways for workforce development.
Community Strategic Priorities
The Warrumbungle Shire Community Strategic Plan 2025–2035 is organized around four principal themes.
Caring for the Environment
This priority seeks to preserve and enhance the health of the Shire’s natural environment and biodiversity.
Relevant areas include:
- Clean water resources
- Native vegetation
- Biodiversity protection
- Waste management
- Sustainable land use
- National parks and forests
- Environmental health
- Climate and disaster resilience
The strategy recognizes the environmental importance of the Warrumbungle Mountains, forests, waterways, open landscapes and clear night skies.
Civic Leadership
The civic leadership theme promotes responsible, transparent and collaborative decision-making.
The Council seeks to:
- Involve communities in decisions.
- Maintain sound financial management.
- Improve accountability.
- Work with state and Australian government agencies.
- Manage public assets responsibly.
- Provide accessible information.
- Deliver services efficiently.
The strategic goal is to place the community at the centre of decision-making and service delivery.
Strengthening the Local Economy
The Council aims to support a strong and sustainable local economy that offers employment, investment, education and business opportunities.
Major economic sectors include:
- Agriculture
- Livestock production
- Tourism
- Retail and services
- Construction
- Government services
- Astronomy and scientific tourism
- Nature-based tourism
The Council also seeks to diversify the economy by attracting new and innovative industries while supporting established agricultural enterprises.
Supporting Community Life
The Council seeks to maintain welcoming, healthy, connected and inclusive communities.
This priority covers:
- Health and aged care
- Youth development
- Children’s services
- Community transport
- Social support
- Libraries
- Arts and culture
- Festivals and events
- Sport and recreation
- Disability inclusion
- Public safety
- Community facilities
The goal is to ensure residents can participate in community, cultural, recreational and economic life.
Long-Term Public Stewardship
Warrumbungle Shire Council does not have private shareholders, commercial owners or a founding family.
Council assets are held and managed for public purposes. These assets include:
- Roads and bridges
- Water and sewer infrastructure
- Waste facilities
- Council buildings
- Public halls
- Libraries
- Swimming pools
- Cemeteries
- Parks and playgrounds
- Aerodromes
- Sporting facilities
- Community land
Long-term asset management is used to balance service quality, community expectations, costs and infrastructure risks.
Governance and Structure
Warrumbungle Shire Council operates through a structure that separates elected decision-making from professional administration.
The elected Council sets strategic policies, adopts budgets, approves plans and represents residents. The General Manager and Council employees manage daily operations and implement Council decisions.
Elected Council
Warrumbungle Shire Council is governed by nine elected councillors.
The elected body consists of:
- The Mayor
- The Deputy Mayor
- Seven additional councillors
The councillors elected during the 2024 New South Wales local government elections serve a four-year term. Councillor Kathryn Rindfleish is identified as Mayor, while Councillor Jason Newton serves as Deputy Mayor.
Councillors make decisions concerning:
- Strategic plans
- Council policies
- Annual budgets
- Fees and charges
- Public infrastructure
- Development priorities
- Community grants
- Environmental management
- Local services
Mayor
The Mayor provides civic leadership, chairs Council meetings and represents the Warrumbungle Shire at government, community and official events.
The Mayor also works with the General Manager to support community engagement and communicate Council priorities.
General Manager
The Council appointed Lindsay Mason as General Manager in March 2025 following an extraordinary Council meeting.
The General Manager is responsible for:
- Managing day-to-day Council operations.
- Implementing Council decisions.
- Managing staff and financial resources.
- Advising elected councillors.
- Overseeing service delivery.
- Ensuring compliance with legislation.
- Supporting organizational performance.
Executive Leadership Structure
The General Manager is supported by three principal executive divisions:
- Corporate and Community Services
- Development Services
- Infrastructure Services
Corporate and Community Services covers finance, governance, information management, community consultation, children’s services, customer service, risk management and communications.
Development Services includes planning, regulatory services, economic development, tourism, waste, water and wastewater management.
Infrastructure Services manages roads, public spaces, property, fleet, engineering, asset planning and urban services.
Community Participation
Residents may participate in Council decision-making through:
- Public forums
- Council meetings
- Community consultations
- Surveys
- Advisory committees
- Public exhibitions
- Written submissions
- Town consultation meetings
Community consultation meetings are conducted in locations including Baradine, Binnaway, Coolah, Coonabarabran, Dunedoo and Mendooran. Public forums are also held before monthly Council meetings.
Transparency and Accountability
Council accountability mechanisms include:
- Published Council agendas and minutes
- Meeting recordings
- Annual reports
- Financial statements
- Quarterly budget reviews
- Delivery Program progress reports
- Public access to government information
- Audit, risk and improvement systems
- Community engagement processes
Access to Council information is governed by the New South Wales Government Information Public Access Act 2009.
Funding and Grants
Warrumbungle Shire Council finances its services through a combination of local revenue, grants, fees and government assistance.
Major income sources include:
- Rates and annual charges
- User charges and service fees
- Operating grants
- Capital grants
- Government contributions
- Investment income
- Asset sales
- Water and sewer charges
- Waste charges
- Development and regulatory fees
The 2026–27 Operational Plan projects approximately $59.8 million in total continuing income, including $18.2 million from rates and annual charges, $20.9 million from operating grants and contributions, and $6.9 million from capital grants and contributions.
Operational and Capital Budget
For 2026–27, the Council plans to deliver:
- $44.7 million in services.
- A $26.7 million capital works program.
- Road upgrades and rehabilitation.
- Water and sewer infrastructure improvements.
- Community-facility works.
- Disaster-recovery projects.
- Asset and technology renewal.
The capital program includes funding for:
- Rural road resealing and causeway upgrades
- Water-treatment infrastructure
- Sewer rehabilitation
- Aerodrome works
- Swimming-pool planning
- Playgrounds
- Cemeteries
- Information technology
- Council buildings
- Waste facilities
Many capital projects depend partly on grants from the New South Wales and Australian governments.
Community Financial Assistance Grants
The Community Financial Assistance Grants Program provides small grants to community groups, organizations and individuals delivering projects that benefit Warrumbungle Shire communities.
The program offers two rounds each financial year. Council has allocated a combined annual budget of $20,000 for the two rounds. Applicants may generally request up to $500.
Projects may support:
- Community events
- Sporting activities
- Mental-health programs
- Aboriginal cultural events
- Youth activities
- Aged-care programs
- Community facilities
- Heritage initiatives
- Volunteer organizations
- Education and training
The grants are provided under Section 356 of the New South Wales Local Government Act 1993 and Council’s Donations Policy.
Current 2026–27 Grant Round
Round One of the 2026–27 Community Financial Assistance Grants opened in July 2026.
Eligible community groups and organizations may apply for up to $500 toward local projects supporting people living in Warrumbungle Shire towns and villages. Applications close at 4:30 p.m. on 21 August 2026.
Annual Donations
In addition to small community grants, the Council provides annual donations through several categories.
These may include:
- Partial rate relief
- Water and sewer access-charge assistance
- Waste-charge assistance
- Monetary grants
- Plant or equipment hire
- In-kind Council support
Annual donations are intended to help eligible community groups and organizations contribute to the Council’s strategic and community objectives.
Small Heritage Grants
Warrumbungle Shire Council administers Small Heritage Grants to help property owners conserve and restore places with local heritage significance.
Eligible projects may include:
- Conservation and maintenance
- Repairs to roofs, walls, windows and doors
- Painting in appropriate heritage colours
- Replacement of guttering and downpipes
- Restoration of verandahs
- Reinstatement of missing architectural features
- Safety and accessibility improvements
Funding is generally offered on a dollar-for-dollar basis and remains subject to support from Heritage NSW.
External Grant Assistance
The Council also publishes information about external funding opportunities offered by government agencies, industry bodies and private organizations.
These may include:
- Australian Government grants
- New South Wales Government funding
- Indigenous grants
- Regional event funding
- Business grants
- Community resilience funding
- Disaster-recovery assistance
Council does not administer these external programs and cannot guarantee application outcomes.
Research and Academic Funding
Warrumbungle Shire Council is not a national science foundation or academic research council.
It does not generally provide:
- Open basic research grants
- University research fellowships
- Laboratory infrastructure funding
- Large interdisciplinary research centres
- Independent academic conference grants
- General scientific research competitions
Research-related activities are usually connected to:
- Local planning
- Heritage studies
- Tourism research
- Environmental monitoring
- Water quality
- Economic analysis
- Drought resilience
- Infrastructure planning
- Community consultation
Researchers and universities may collaborate with the Council on locally relevant studies, but such work is normally delivered through partnerships, commissioned research or specific government-funded projects.
Major Programs and Initiatives
Economic Development and Tourism Strategy 2025–2030
The Warrumbungle Economic Development and Tourism Strategy 2025–2030 provides a framework for strengthening the local economy and visitor sector.
Its objectives include:
- Attracting investment.
- Supporting local businesses.
- Creating employment.
- Promoting the six principal communities.
- Growing tourism.
- Improving town presentation.
- Building regional partnerships.
- Supporting agriculture and new industries.
The strategy is intended to be implemented in collaboration with communities, businesses, government agencies and nonprofit partners.
Tourism and Visitor Economy
Tourism is an important part of Warrumbungle Shire’s economy.
Key attractions include:
- Warrumbungle National Park
- Siding Spring Observatory
- Coolah Tops National Park
- Pilliga forests
- Heritage towns and villages
- Dark-sky tourism
- Walking and camping
- Agricultural landscapes
- Local festivals
The 2024–25 Annual Report states that the Visitor Information Centre welcomed more than 100,000 visitors during the reporting year.
Community and Business Directories
In 2026, the Council launched online Community, Business and Events directories.
The digital platforms provide a central location where residents and visitors can identify:
- Local businesses
- Community organizations
- Services
- Events
- Volunteer groups
- Activities
The initiative is intended to strengthen community connections while helping local organizations and businesses improve their visibility.
Warrumbungle Community Care
Warrumbungle Community Care provides support to older people, people with disability, carers and residents requiring assistance.
Services include:
- Community transport
- Social support
- Home maintenance
- Meals on Wheels
- Respite services
- Home-care packages
- Welfare checks
- Social activities
The social-support program helps residents participate in community life and reduce isolation.
Children’s and Youth Services
Council-supported children’s and youth services include:
- Preschool
- Long-day care
- Mobile play services
- After-school care
- Vacation care
- Youth activities
- Community drop-in programs
- Interagency coordination
- Family-support connections
The Community Services Connections Officer also works with organizations to secure grant-supported activities for vulnerable children, young people and families.
Working Together for Healthy Warrumbungles
The Working Together for Healthy Warrumbungles project brings organizations and communities together to improve health and well-being outcomes.
In June 2026, the initiative won the Partnerships and Collaboration category for councils with populations below 100,000 at the New South Wales Local Government Excellence Awards.
The recognition demonstrates the importance of collaboration between local government, health providers, community organizations and residents.
Butt Out of Our Towns
The Council’s Butt Out of Our Towns initiative was recognized as a finalist in the Innovative Leadership category at the 2026 New South Wales Local Government Excellence Awards.
The program represents Council’s broader work in environmental health, public-space management and community education.
Local Roads and Community Infrastructure
The Council delivers road and community projects using its own revenue and external government funding.
More than $2 million was secured through Phase Four of the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program for projects across Warrumbungle Shire towns.
Projects funded through infrastructure programs may include:
- Roads
- Footpaths
- Community halls
- Recreation facilities
- Public amenities
- Streetscape improvements
- Parks and playgrounds
Water and Sewer Infrastructure
Water supply and wastewater services represent major Council responsibilities.
The 2026–27 capital program includes projects such as:
- Coolah Water Treatment Plant upgrades
- Coonabarabran water-main rehabilitation
- Dunedoo Sewage Treatment Plant upgrades
- Sewer-main rehabilitation
- Timor Dam upgrades
- Water and wastewater asset renewal
These projects are intended to improve reliability, safety, environmental compliance and long-term service sustainability.
Castlereagh Country Drought Resilience
Warrumbungle Shire Council participates in regional drought resilience planning with neighbouring councils and community partners.
The Castlereagh Country Drought Resilience Plan seeks to develop community-led projects that improve preparedness, strengthen local economies and help rural communities respond to future drought conditions.
Heritage Trails
In 2025, the Council released six Warrumbungle Shire Heritage Trail brochures covering:
- Baradine
- Binnaway
- Coolah
- Coonabarabran
- Dunedoo
- Mendooran
The brochures were developed with the Council’s Heritage Advisor and local heritage and community organizations. They support heritage education, tourism and local identity.
Disability Inclusion
The Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022–2026 outlines actions intended to make Warrumbungle Shire more accessible and inclusive.
The plan supports participation by people with disability in:
- Community life
- Public services
- Employment
- Recreation
- Consultation
- Facilities
- Council information
The plan forms part of the Council’s broader Integrated Planning and Reporting framework.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
Community Grant Impact
During Round Two of the 2025–26 Community Financial Assistance Grants Program, the Council awarded $10,500 to 21 recipients.
Supported activities included:
- Mental-health initiatives
- Aviation education
- Aboriginal cultural events
- Women’s rugby league
- School programs
- Local museums
- Community facilities
- Aged-care initiatives
- Men’s sheds
- Community events
Recipients included the Coonabarabran Local Aboriginal Land Council, Dunedoo Historical Society and Museum, Baradine Central School, Coolah Hospital Auxiliary and Coolah Men’s Shed.
Round One of the same program provided $9,500 to 19 local groups, organizations and individuals contributing to the social, economic or environmental life of the Shire.
External Funding Secured by Community Groups
The Council’s 2024–25 Annual Report states that community organizations secured more than $350,000 in grants for local projects and events.
These projects helped bring residents together, improve community facilities and support local participation.
Financial Performance
For 2024–25, the Council reported an operating surplus of approximately $6.58 million before capital grants.
The result indicates an improved short-term financial position, although Council planning documents continue to identify challenges associated with a small population, large road network, ageing infrastructure, workforce shortages and reliance on government grants.
Infrastructure Impact
The 2026–27 capital works program totals $26.7 million and prioritizes roads, water, sewerage, community facilities, technology and asset renewal.
Major planned investments include:
- $1.5 million for rural road gravel resheeting and causeway upgrades
- $1 million for Dunedoo Sewage Treatment Plant upgrades
- $937,000 for local-road resealing
- $600,000 for Timor Dam upgrades
- $500,000 for sewer-main rehabilitation
- $400,000 for Coolah Water Treatment Plant upgrades
- $275,000 for Coonabarabran water-main rehabilitation
Tourism Impact
The Council’s tourism services support accommodation providers, attractions, retailers, restaurants and community events.
More than 100,000 visits to the Visitor Information Centre during 2024–25 indicate the significance of tourism to the region. The Economic Development and Tourism Strategy is intended to convert visitor interest into stronger local spending, business activity and employment.
Health and Partnership Impact
Winning the 2026 Local Government Excellence Award for Working Together for Healthy Warrumbungles demonstrates the Council’s capacity to build effective partnerships around public health and community well-being.
The recognition highlights the value of coordinated programs involving local government, community groups and service organizations.
Heritage Impact
Small Heritage Grants and heritage-planning activities help protect buildings, streetscapes and community stories.
The Heritage Trail brochures also make local history more accessible to residents and visitors. These programs support tourism while helping communities retain their distinctive identity.
Understanding the Council’s Funding Role
Warrumbungle Shire Council acts as:
- A local government service provider
- A public infrastructure manager
- A small community grantmaker
- A heritage-funding administrator
- An economic and tourism development body
- A community-care provider
- A planning and regulatory authority
- A regional advocate
Some funding is provided directly from Council revenue, while other initiatives depend on New South Wales Government, Australian Government or partner funding.
The Council should not be treated as a large philanthropic foundation or national research donor. Its grants are generally small, locally focused and connected to community development, heritage preservation and Council priorities.
Conclusion
Warrumbungle Shire Council is the statutory local government authority responsible for services, infrastructure and community development across a large rural area of northwestern New South Wales.
The Council was created in August 2004 through the voluntary amalgamation of Coonabarabran and Coolah Shire Councils. It has no private founder, commercial owner or shareholder structure.
Its mission is to deliver cost-effective services, reliable infrastructure, responsible governance and opportunities that improve community prosperity and quality of life.
The Council’s work covers roads, water, sewerage, waste, planning, tourism, community care, children’s services, heritage, public facilities and environmental management.
Through Community Financial Assistance Grants, annual donations and Small Heritage Grants, Warrumbungle Shire Council provides targeted support to local groups, organizations, residents and heritage-property owners.
Its major priorities include strengthening the local economy, protecting the environment, maintaining inclusive communities and ensuring transparent civic leadership.
Although it is not a conventional foundation or provider of independent research grants, Warrumbungle Shire Council remains an important local funding and development institution. Its programs support community organizations, infrastructure renewal, tourism, health partnerships, heritage conservation and the long-term resilience of the Warrumbungle region.
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