Temora Shire Council

03/09/2026

🎓 REMINDER | Youth Assistance Grants

Are you a young person from the Temora Shire looking for financial assistance with further education, training or an apprenticeship?

The Temora & District Education Foundation (TDEF) is currently accepting applications for its Youth Assistance Grants.

Grants can help with eligible education-related costs including:
🧰 Tools and equipment
💻 Computers
📚 Textbooks
🏠 Accommodation
🚗 Travel

Trade apprentices are particularly encouraged to apply!

👥 Applicants must be aged 16–25 years in the year of application and meet the relevant eligibility requirements.

⏰ Applications close at midnight on 31 October 2026.

👉 Apply online: cef.org.au/foundations/temora

Know someone who could benefit? Share this post with them!

03/09/2026

NATIONAL FLAG DAY | 3 SEPTEMBER 🇦🇺

Today we celebrate Australian National Flag Day, marking the first time our national flag was flown on 3 September 1901.

On this day 125 years ago, Prime Minister Edmund Barton announced the winners of a competition to design a flag for Australia. A huge 5.5-metre by 11-metre flag was then flown over the dome of Melbourne’s Exhibition Building.

Originally known as the Commonwealth blue ensign, the flag later became known as the Australian National Flag 🇦🇺

Today, Australians are encouraged to fly or display the Australian National Flag as a way of recognising and celebrating this important part of our national story.

02/09/2026

👏 Congratulations Gary and Barry!

Temora Shire Council joins the Bundawarrah Centre Cultural Precinct and Temora Ambulance Museum in congratulating Gary Raymond and Barry Gobbe on their well-deserved recognition with Australian Bravery Decorations.

Nearly 50 years after the 1977 Granville rail disaster, Gary and Barry have been recognised for their courageous actions as first responders during one of Australia’s worst rail disasters.

Their bravery, compassion and dedication to helping others is an important part of our history, and we are proud to see their contribution recognised.

Congratulations, Gary and Barry, on this incredible honour. ❤️

First responders at the Granville rail disaster are being recognised with Australian Bravery Decorations, almost 50 years after the nation's worst train crash.

31/08/2026

Last week, Mayor Rick Firman OAM and Director of Environmental Services Mr Kris Dunstan attended a series of meetings and the Country Mayors Association dinner, bringing together more than 150 Mayors and General Managers from across the 89 Remote, Rural and Regional NSW Councils.

The evening provided an important opportunity to engage directly with key decision-makers, including Prime Minister of Australia, The Hon. Anthony Albanese MP; NSW Minister for Local Government, The Hon. Ron Hoenig MP; NSW Shadow Minister for Local Government, Mr Tim James; NSW Nationals Leader, Mr Gurmesh Singh MP; LGNSW President, Mayor Darcy Byrne; NSW Grants Commission Chairman, Ms Linda Scott; and many others.

As Chairman of the Country Mayors Association, Mayor Firman plays a critical role in ensuring the voices of Temora Shire and councils across rural, regional and remote NSW are represented in these important conversations.

Financial sustainability remains the number one issue facing many rural, regional and remote councils. Continued advocacy and collaboration with both the NSW and Australian Governments is essential to ensure the challenges facing local government are understood and that urgent action is taken to strengthen the long-term financial sustainability of councils.

A key focus of the Association's continued advocacy is the Invest in Us campaign, which calls for Financial Assistance Grants to be restored to 1% of total Commonwealth taxation revenue. These grants are an essential source of funding for local councils and restoring them to 1% would provide greater financial capacity for councils to deliver the services and infrastructure their communities rely on.

28/08/2026

Yellow is now open!

We challenge you not to smile walking into this space 😃 💛 ✨️

28/08/2026

📣 SPECIAL RATE VARIATION CONSULTATION HAS CLOSED

Consultation on Temora Shire Council’s proposed Special Rate Variation (SRV) has now closed.

A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to provide feedback, complete the survey, attend a drop-in session, ask questions or otherwise engaged with the consultation process. Your feedback is an important part of helping Councillors consider the proposed SRV.

⏰ Late submissions

The consultation closed at 9.00am today, Friday 28 August. Unfortunately, submissions received after the closing time cannot be accepted as part of the formal consultation process or included in the consultation report.

📋 What happens next?

The feedback received during the consultation period will be collated and included in a Consultation Report, which will be presented to the September Council meeting for Councillors to receive and note.

Councillors will then continue to consider the community feedback and all information available to them before a decision is made.

A decision on whether Council will apply to IPART for a Special Rate Variation is not expected until the November Council meeting.

We thank everyone who has taken the time to have their say throughout the consultation process.

28/08/2026

AUGUST COUNCIL MEETING | DECISIONS & OUTCOMES

Here’s a summary of some of the key decisions and voting outcomes from Council’s August meeting.

Look through to see what was decided, how Councillors voted and what happens next.

For the full reports, agenda and official minutes, visit Council’s website: 👉 https://www.temora.nsw.gov.au/Your-Council/Council-Meetings/Past-Council-Minutes/Minutes-from-2026

You can also watch the meeting online: 📺 https://www.temora.nsw.gov.au/Your-Council/Council-Meetings/Council-Meeting-Livestream

📅 NEXT COUNCIL MEETING
The next Ordinary Council Meeting will be held on Thursday 17 September 2026.

Council Meetings are open to the public, with agendas published on Council’s website the Friday prior to each meeting.

27/08/2026

⚠️ Lake Centenary spillway closed

The spillway at Lake Centenary has sustained some damage.

As a precaution, the area around the spillway has been closed off until further notice while Council assesses the damage and determines the appropriate next steps.

Please keep clear of the closed area and follow any signage or barriers in place.

We’ll provide further updates when more information is available.

27/08/2026

📚 Mobile Library Service Update

Riverina Regional Library has advised that today's Ariah Park Mobile Library visit has been cancelled due to staff illness.

The next scheduled visit to Ariah Park will be Thursday 10 September 2026. Any current loans have been automatically extended, and affected library members have been notified.

27/08/2026

Rates instalment reminder

A reminder that the first instalment of your 2026/27 rates is due and payable by Monday, 31 August 2026.

Having difficulty paying your rates?

Did you know Temora Shire Council has a Hardship Policy to support ratepayers experiencing financial difficulty?

Life can sometimes bring unexpected challenges, including illness, changes in income, family circumstances or other unforeseen events. Council’s updated Hardship Policy provides broader eligibility criteria, more flexible payment arrangements and, in some cases, interest relief while an approved arrangement is in place.

All applications are handled confidentially and with care. You can also apply online and receive the outcome in writing, without needing to meet with or speak to a staff member.

Pensioner concessions

If you hold a Pensioner Concession Card (blue card), you may also be eligible for Council’s Pensioner Concession Rates Rebate of up to $337.50 each year.

The rebate may also apply to people receiving eligible government payments, such as the Carer Payment or Disability Support Pension.

If you’re experiencing financial difficulty, or you’re unsure whether you may be eligible for assistance, we encourage you to reach out early and explore the support options available.

For more information or to access the Hardship Rate Relief Application Form, visit Council’s website under Pay Your Rates, or contact Council on 6980 1100.