Draft Delivery Program 2026-2030 and Operational Plan 2026-2027
Public Notice: Exhibition of Draft Delivery Program and Operational Plan
In accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 1993, notice is hereby given that Wentworth Shire Council has placed the following documents on public display for a period of 28 days:
- Draft Delivery Program 2026-2030 (Year 2 of 4)
- Draft Operational Plan 2026-2027, incorporating the:
- Annual Statement of Revenue
- Annual Fees and Charges Schedule
Where to view the documents:
Copies of these documents are available to view at the following locations:
Wentworth Shire Council Office: 61 Darling Street, Wentworth
Midway Service Centre: 3 Midway Drive, Buronga
Online: View the draft documents on the engage Wentworth & Surrounds website.
Have your say
Submissions may be made to Council in writing and must be received no later than Monday, 15 June 2026.
All submissions will be considered prior to the adoption of these documents at the June Council meeting on Wednesday 24 June 2026.
Submissions can be made in the following ways:
- In person: At the Wentworth Shire offices listed above
- By mail: PO Box 81, Wentworth NSW 2648
- By email: council@wentworth.nsw.gov.au
All submissions will be considered prior to the adoption of these documents at the Council meeting on Wednesday, 24 June 2026.
Transport for NSW Safety Improvement Work: Silver City & Sturt Highways
Wentworth Shire Council is sharing the following information on behalf of Transport for NSW.
Transport for NSW is investing $1.2 million to install 12.8 kilometres of flexible safety barriers and 70 new end terminals on the Silver City and Sturt highways near Wentworth and Euston. This work is part of the Towards Zero Safer Roads Program to reduce the risk of vehicles running off the road.
Project Summary:
- Start Date: Works commence on 18 May and will take approximately six weeks to complete.
- Locations: Various locations along a 70-kilometre section of the Silver City Highway north of Wentworth, and a six-kilometre section of the Sturt Highway west of Euston.
- Traffic Impacts: Expect changed traffic conditions, including single lane closures and a reduced speed limit of 40km/h.
For complete details regarding work hours, managing impacts, and contact information, please refer to the attached official poster below.
Temporary Road Closure – Fletcher’s Lake Road (Alba Road to Channel Road)
Temporary Road Closure – Fletcher’s Lake Road (Alba Road to Channel Road)
Wentworth Shire Council advises that Fletcher’s Lake Road will be closed to general traffic and heavy vehicles from Alba Road through to Channel Road. This temporary closure will commence on Wednesday, 13 May 2026, and will remain in place for a five-week period to accommodate scheduled roadworks.
During this time, detours for heavy vehicles will be signposted via Pooncarie Road and the Silver City Highway. Residents and businesses located within the affected area will not be impacted by these changes and will retain full access to their properties at all times.
Council apologises for any inconvenience this may cause and thanks the community for its understanding and cooperation while these works are completed.
Have Your Say: Draft Lower Western Bush Fire Risk Management Plan
Have Your Say: Draft Lower Western Bush Fire Risk Management Plan
The 5-year plan to mitigate local bush fire risks in our community is now on public exhibition. We encourage all residents to review the draft and share their feedback by 5pm, Monday 22 June 2026.
Where to view the plan:
- Online via the NSW RFS link below
- Wentworth Shire Council Office – 61 Darling Street, Wentworth
- Balranald Shire Council Office – 70 Market St, Balranald
- Lower Western Fire Control Centre (Dareton) – 58-60 Mitchell Ave, Dareton
How to provide feedback: You submit a written response via email/post, or complete the short survey online.
View the plan and complete the survey here: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/managing-bush-fire-risk/bush-fire-management-committees/lower-western-zone
Free Digital Newspapers Now Available at Wentworth Shire Libraries
Free Digital Newspapers Now Available at Wentworth Shire Libraries
Wentworth Shire Council is excited to announce that library members now have free, instant access to a wide range of digital newspapers through the BorrowBox app!
In addition to our popular collection of eBooks and eAudiobooks, your library membership now features an ePress section. This new addition offers digital editions of bestselling eNewspapers from around the world , including The Sydney Morning Herald , The Age , The Saturday Paper, and many more. Whether you are after the latest headlines, weekend reads, or international news, it is all just a tap away.
How to access eNewspapers on BorrowBox:
- Download the app: Find the free BorrowBox app in the App Store or Google Play.
- Log in: Enter your Wentworth Shire Library card number and PIN.
- Open ePress: Tap on the ePress section in the app to explore the collection.
- Browse and borrow: Download your favourites to read anytime, anywhere!
All you need is your library membership to get started. Not a member yet? You can start the membership process by visiting any of our library branches.
Start exploring your all-in-one digital library today: https://wentworth.borrowbox.com/
No smartphone or tablet? No problem!
Wentworth Library has a dedicated computer set up specifically for anyone to access the ePress BorrowBox library. Simply visit the library to read for free on this computer.
Daylight savings ends, Sunday 5 April, 3am
A reminder to all residents that Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday, 5 April 2026. While most digital devices will update automatically, remember to manually wind back any analogue clocks, car displays, and kitchen appliances before you head to bed on Saturday night.
When: Sunday 5 April 2026.
The change: At 3:00 am, clocks move back one hour to 2:00 am.
The benefit: You’ll gain an extra hour of sleep and enjoy more natural light in the mornings as we move into the cooler months.
For more information on time zones and daylight saving in NSW, visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/about-nsw/daylight-saving
Project Update: Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra (FOSO) Opening Delayed
Project Update: Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra (FOSO) Opening Delayed
The opening of the Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra (FOSO) has been rescheduled to Friday 24 April 2026 following severe weather across the Wentworth and Mildura region.
Initially set to open for the 2026 Easter long weekend, the site has been heavily impacted by record rainfall in late February and early March. A deluge of approximately 250mm has resulted in boggy conditions and ground surface damage adjacent to the Perry Sandhills.
While the weather has impacted the construction programme, Bruce Munro’s Studio and supporting team are continuing to progress the installation of the 80 columns of light and complex fibre optic systems.
Key Information for Visitors
- New Opening Date: Friday 24 April 2026.
- Ticket Holders: Current ticket holders affected by the delay have been contacted.
- Enquiries: All ticketing changes and refund enquiries are being processed by the Mildura Visitor Information Centre on (03) 5018 8380.
- Easter Period: The Trail of Lights in Mildura remains open over the Easter period as a complementary experience.
Wentworth Shire Council and Mildura Rural City Council appreciate your patience as we work to ensure the long-term integrity of this world-class attraction. Read the full media release below.
NRAR steps up efforts to prevent water law breaches in the lower Murray
Wentworth Shire Council is sharing an important update from the NSW Government’s Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) regarding water compliance for local irrigators and growers. As permanent plantings continue to expand in the lower Murray, NRAR is implementing an early-intervention approach to help licence holders manage challenges during dry periods.
Summary of the Update To prevent non-compliance when water availability tightens and prices increase, NRAR will be actively monitoring the region using satellite technology. The regulator is taking a low-tolerance approach to water-take offences but is providing fair warning, with plans to contact more than 300 licence holders with high-water-needs crops. Local growers are urged to review their water management obligations, prepare for adverse conditions, and ensure their accounts, orders, and meters are compliant.
Read the full NRAR media release (November 2025) below or visit https://qrco.de/permanent-plantings for more details.
Read the full media release below: