Cowra Council

14/10/2026

REMINDER — THE FREE BUS TO GRENFELL POOL IS BACK THIS WEEK! 🚌

Whether you’re heading over with Cowra Swimming Club or keen for a Sunday swim, don’t forget to book your seat on Council’s FREE community bus to Grenfell Pool.

SWIMMING CLUB MEMBERS
The bus will be running for Swimming Club trips on Wednesday and Friday.

Bookings close at 12pm the day before each trip, so make sure you secure your seat in advance.

SUNDAY COMMUNITY SWIM
The Sunday bus is also back this weekend and is open to the wider community wanting to enjoy a swim at Grenfell Pool.

Departs 10:15am from the Cowra Aquatic Centre carpark
Returns to Cowra by 3pm at the latest
Bookings close 12pm Friday

✅ The bus service is FREE
Please note that Grenfell Pool admission fees still apply and are payable by passengers.

There is one booking form for all services — simply select the trip you would like to book.

👉 BOOK YOUR SEAT: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx

Having trouble booking? Contact Council Communications on 0475 461 816.

Please book by the deadline so Cowra Bus Service can organise the correct bus capacity and staffing. Don’t forget to spread the word to your fellow swimmers, families and friends!

13/10/2026

FOOTPATH TRADING PERMIT FEES WAIVED 📣

Are you a local business looking to make better use of the footpath outside your premises?

Cowra Council has waived Footpath Trading Permit application, inspection and renewal fees until 1 January 2027.

Businesses can apply to use approved footpath areas for:
• Outdoor dining
• Signage
• Teardrop flags
• Flowerpots

Council also offers a concierge service to help business owners through the application process.
📞 Book the concierge service: Nicole – 6340 2004
📞 More information: 6340 2040

A great opportunity to activate your shopfront and make the most of your outdoor space!

13/10/2026

Cowra Council invites residents to join Australia’s final Garage Sale Trail. After 16 years of turning driveways into treasure troves, Australia’s biggest festival of secondhand stuff is throwing one final double weekend event and Cowra Council is calling on local residents to make it the biggest hunt yet.

Over two big weekends on 7–8 and 14–15 November 2026, households, schools, community groups and local businesses across Cowra will join thousands of Australians for the final national Garage Sale Trail.

If you’re a market or community organisation selling second hand goods register today and become part of the trail. It’s free and easy to do.

For bargain hunters, jump on the website and get your map of sales to visit over the 2 big weekends.

For more information visit garagesaletrail.com.au or register https://www.garagesaletrail.com.au/cowra.

13/10/2026

A quick heads-up for residents that bin collection times may vary this week, with some bins collected earlier than usual and others later in the afternoon.

To make sure your bin isn’t missed, please:
Put your bins out the night before your scheduled collection day
Leave them out until they have been collected

Don’t worry if your usual collection time has passed, our team will get to you.

We appreciate your patience and understanding while our crews work through the collection schedule.

Thank you for helping us keep things running smoothly!

13/10/2026

Help recognise Cowra Shire’s dedicated volunteers this Australia Day

Nominations are now open for the 2027 Cowra Shire Australia Day Awards, providing an opportunity to recognise the volunteers, community groups and local leaders who help make Cowra Shire a stronger, more connected and caring place.

“Across Cowra Shire, volunteers generously give their time to support local organisations, care for others and bring our community together,” Mayor of Cowra, Cr Paul Smith said.

“These awards recognise the people who step forward and lend a hand without expecting anything in return.

Many volunteers do not seek recognition, but their service deserves to be acknowledged. A nomination is a meaningful way to say thank you,” Cr Smith said.

Nominations are invited for the following award categories:
• Cowra Citizen of the Year
• Cowra Young Citizen of the Year
• Cowra Community Group of the Year
• Dr Warren Whiley Memorial Award, recognising significant contributions to arts, culture and citizenship

Nominees may have contributed through long-term voluntary service, supported an organisation or cause, responded to a community need, mentored others, organised local activities or strengthened community life in another meaningful way.

“Voluntary service takes many forms, from helping a sporting club, charity or community organisation to supporting neighbours, coordinating events, mentoring young people or enriching our cultural life,” Cr Smith said.

“Every contribution matters. If you know an individual or group making a positive difference, we encourage you to nominate them.”

Nomination forms are available from Cowra Council’s Customer Service Centre in Kendal Street or online at https://www.cowracouncil.com.au/Community/Australia-Day-in-Cowra

Completed nominations must be received by 4.30pm on Friday 13 November 2026.

For help with a nomination or further information, contact Cowra Council’s Community Development Team at [email protected] or call 02 6340 2064.

12/10/2026

NO TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT TOMORROW :
Cowra Shire Council has been advised by Transport for NSW that, following the departure of the majority of Bathurst 1000 attendees today, the additional traffic management measures planned for Tuesday 13 October 2026 are no longer required.

As a result:

No Council traffic control operations will be undertaken tomorrow.
The temporary road closures and traffic restrictions previously advised for 13 October 2026 will not be implemented.
Roads will remain open and operate under normal traffic conditions.

Thank you for your cooperation and support during the traffic management activities undertaken today.

Should you require any further information, please contact Council's Infrastructure & Operations Department on (02) 6340 2070.

11/10/2026

HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF PLAY ACROSS THE COWRA SHIRE!

Cowra Shire Council is developing a new Play Strategy to guide how we plan, improve and invest in play spaces across our Shire over the next 20 years — and we want to hear from you!

Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, carer, young person or simply someone who loves our local parks and playgrounds, your ideas can help shape play spaces that work for our communities now and into the future.

COMMUNITY WORKSHOP
📅 Thursday 29 October
⏰ 6:30pm – 8:30pm
📍 Cowra Council Chambers

Can’t make the workshop? Drop in and have your say:

☀️COMMUNITY DROP-IN SESSION
📅 Friday 30 October
⏰ 9:00am – 11:00am
📍 Squire Park, Cowra

The strategy will consider play spaces across Cowra, Wattamondara, Woodstock, Billimari, Gooloogong, Noonbinna, Darbys Falls and Morongla.

💬 Come along, share your ideas and help us create better places to play across the Cowra Shire!

08/10/2026

📢 Have Your Say - West Cowra Growth Area Planning Proposal
Cowra Council is seeking community feedback on Planning Proposal PP-2026-1670, which proposes to:

✅ Reduce the minimum lot size from 2 hectares to 4,000m² in the West Cowra Growth Area and
✅ Remove the requirement for connection to a reticulated sewer supply scheme

🗓 Public exhibition: 9 October to 9 November 2026

Community members are invited to review the proposal and submit feedback by 5.00pm on Monday, 9 November 2026.

📍 View the proposal online at www.cowracouncil.com.au or at Council's Administration Office, 116 Kendal Street, Cowra.

08/10/2026

Our bus booking for this Sunday’s trip close at midday today! Book your free seat via the form now ☀️🏊‍♂️

FREE COMMUNITY BUS TO GRENFELL POOL! 🏊‍♀️

A FREE bus service is available to help our community continue accessing swimming while the Cowra Aquatic Centre is unavailable.

The bus service will operate for Swimming Club trips on Wednesdays and Friday, as well as a Sunday community service.

📅 BOOKING DEADLINES ARE IMPORTANT
• Wednesday & Friday Swimming Club buses — bookings close 12pm the day before
• Sunday Community Bus — bookings close 12pm the Friday before

There is one booking form for all trips, so simply select the service you need when booking.

Booking by the deadline allows Cowra Bus Service to plan the correct bus capacity and staffing requirements for each trip, so please make sure you secure your seat in advance.

🚌 SUNDAY SERVICE
Departs 10:15am from the Cowra Aquatic Centre carpark, with passengers back in Cowra by 3pm at the latest. The return may be earlier depending on the general consensus of passengers on the day.

✅ The bus service is FREE
🎟️ Please note: Grenfell Pool admission fees still apply and are payable by passengers. See the fees here: https://www.weddin.nsw.gov.au/Community/Recreation-Facilites

We’ll also have laminated QR codes at the Cowra Aquatic Centre carpark linking directly to the booking form, making it easy to book.

📱 Having trouble booking or have a question? Contact Council Communications on 0475 461 816.

👉 BOOK YOUR SEAT: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=MQ6z4KkOWkqIuhSeRapyBbGOyyoaIbJEpGp2NRaYtp1UOEZIRDZMMDRZNDYwMU85N0ZIOUNLSDAzMC4u

Please share this information with fellow swimmers and families who may benefit from the service!