The Golden Plains Shire is predominately rural, with a number of small township servicing local communities between Ballarat and Geelong.
The Shire is the fifth fastest growing municipality in regional Victoria; in 2014-15 had a growth rate of 2.0%. Many Golden Plains residents work in Ballarat or Geelong.
The Shire’s economic base is provided through agriculture, retailing, construction and manufacturing. Agriculture is responsible for $144 million worth of output annually and employs 25.6% of the Shire’s workforce.
The main industries include agriculture (wool and grain growing, intensive poultry and pig farming), construction and wine manufacturing.
Golden Plains is part of the Large Shire council grouping and can be compared with similar councils. More information on council groupings can be found here.
Golden Plains - Victoria in Future 2016
Golden Plains Aboriginal Community Profile (includes Aboriginal organisations)
Anakie, Bamganie, Bannockburn, Barunah Park, Batesford, Berringa, Berrybank, Cambrian Hill, Cape Clear, Corindhap, Cressy, Dereel, Durdidwarrah, Durham Lead, Enfield, Garibaldi, Gheringhap, Grenville, Haddon, Happy Valley, Hesse, Illabarook, Inverleigh, Lethbridge, Linton, Mannibadar, Maude, Meredith, Morrisons, Mount Bute, Mount Mercer, Murgheboluc, Napoleons, Newtown, Nintingbool, Piggoreet, Pitfield, Pittong, Rokewood, Rokewood Junction, Ross Creek, Russells Bridge, Scarsdale, She Oaks, Shelford, Smythes Creek, Smythesdale, Springdallah, Staffordshire Reef, Steiglitz, Stonehaven, Sutherlands Creek, Teesdale, Wallinduc, Werneth and Wingeel.
For a detailed map showing shire boundaries and locality names, visit VICNAMES.
Golden Plains Shire Council Local Government Community Satisfaction Results
Golden Plains Shire Council is an unsubdivided municipality consisting of 7 Councillors.
Councillors are elected through proportional representation voting. Since 2008, all Victorian Councillors serve a four year term. The next general election is in October 2020.
Visit the Guide for more information on Council Elections.
Visit the Victorian Electoral Commission for more elections details.
7 Councillors elected in October 2016.
Unsubdivided - Cr Nathan Hansford
Unsubdivided - Cr Helena Kirby
Unsubdivided - Cr Des Phelan
Unsubdivided - Cr David Evans
Unsubdivided - Cr Joanne Gilbert - Deputy Mayor
Unsubdivided - Cr Les Rowe
Unsubdivided - Cr Owen Sharkey - Mayor
Estimated resident population. Source: Victoria in Future 2016 - Population and Household Projections to 2031
Source: Victoria Grants Commission.
The figures in the bottom two rows of the table show combined one-off and ongoing funding received by council from both the Federal and State Governments. It is important to note that this amount can change significantly from year to year as individual government funding programs change and natural events such as fires and floods occur.
Data shows the amount allocated in respect of the relevant financial year. In some years, that amount will vary from the payments received that year, as a result of the Commonwealth "bringing forward" some payments.
| 2016-17 | 2015-16 | 2014-15 | 2013-14 | 2012-13 | 2011-12 | 2010-11 | 2009-10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recurrent Expenditure ($) | 38.560m | 36.881m | 39.363m | 31.202m | 27.758m | 28.012m | 25.585m | 22.489m |
| Recurrent Revenue ($) | 42.690m | 37.421m | 40.932m | 32.793m | 33.607m | 32.300m | 28.400m | 25.237m |
| - Rates and Charges | 20.796m | 19.788m | 18.283m | 16.716m | 15.422m | 13.833m | 12.441m | 10.824m |
| - VGC Grants | 5.181m | 5.133m | 5.185m | 5.139m | 5.050m | 4.867m | 4.672m | 4.363m |
| Non-Recurrent Government Grants |
1.764m |
4.165m |
7.069m |
5.033m |
5.220m |
4.806m |
4.665m |
2.303m |
| Recurrent Government Grants |
15.567m |
8.820m |
2.950m |
3.646m |
3.503m |
3.451m |
2.970m |
4.573m |
View Golden Plains Shire's performance across a wide range of service areas
View Performance