Councillor Graeme Shephard

28/09/2026

I would encourage everyone to consider the many local heroes in our community who selflessly give and deserve to be nominated for a Bellingen Shire Community Award.

Please take some time to consider who you could nominate and then go ahead and nominate them.

I really would encourage all of us to give this some thought.

It’s that time of year again! 🎉 Nominations are now OPEN for the 2027 Community Awards!

Do you know a local hero who deserves to be celebrated?

👏 Nominate an individual or group for an award today in one of these categories:

🏅 Citizen of the Year
🌱 Young Citizen of the Year
⚽ Sport & Recreation
🎨 Arts & Culture
🌿 Environment & Sustainability
🤝 Community Impact Business
🏡 Home Grown Hero
♿ Ian J Cooper Access & Inclusion

New this year, the Ian J Cooper Access & Inclusion Award will now form part of the Community Awards. This award recognises those making a difference to accessibility, inclusion and participation in our community.

📅Nominations close at 5pm on Monday, 2 November. Don’t miss the chance to recognise someone special!

For more info and to make your nomination see: 🔗
https://www.bellingen.nsw.gov.au/Community/Community-Awards

10/09/2026

R U Okay?

It's a good question to ask and, it's true, a conversation could save a life.

Also, I want to remind people of the R U Okay walk from Dorrigo to Dangar Falls, walk leaving at 4 PM.

A great opportunity to check in on people and walk and talk.

01/09/2026

My apologies for the late notice but if you have something on your mind I may be able to assist with please join me at the Dorrigo Community Hall between 10 and 2 for ‘Meet the Councillor.’

‘Positive discussion for positive outcomes.’

05/08/2026

As your local Dorrigo councillor I need to make comment on some highly erroneous recent posts on social media.

I want to make the following points categorically:

• Bellingen Shire Council has not decided to convert parkland in Dorrigo into housing blocks. This information is completely wrong. Council supports the activities of the Waterfall Way Community Land Trust who are seeking to pilot a way to provide a pathway to affordable housing in the Bellingen Shire. You can read more about it by going to the WWCLT website.

• Bellingen Shire Council is not broke. We work in a challenging financial environment but the Council is run by a very able and dedicated staff and an equally able and dedicated Council.

• Hickory Street, Dorrigo. Hickory Street has a very poor structural base and requires a complete rebuild. This work is programmed but has been delayed slightly awaiting funds from a successful grant application to put a power source in the street to facilitate events like Dorrigo Handmade Market. With this installation there will not be any more extension cords crossing footpaths. It makes no sense to rebuild the road and then dig it up again to instal the power.
It will be done.

Finally, I hold a ‘Meet the Councillor’ monthly on the first Wednesday of the month (10 am to 2 pm) in the Dorrigo Community Hall.

Before you write a post check the facts by coming and talking with me.

05/08/2026

As your local Dorrigo councillor I need to make comment on some highly erroneous recent posts on social media.

I want to make the following points categorically:

• Bellingen Shire Council has not decided to convert parkland in Dorrigo into housing blocks. This information is completely wrong. Council supports the activities of the Waterfall Way Community Land Trust who are seeking to pilot a way to provide a pathway to affordable housing in the Bellingen Shire. You can read more about it by going to the WWCLT website - www.wwclt.org.au

• Bellingen Shire Council is not broke. We work in a challenging financial environment but the Council is run by a very able and dedicated staff and an equally able and dedicated Council.

• Hickory Street, Dorrigo. Hickory Street has a very poor structural base and requires a complete rebuild. This work is programmed but has been delayed slightly awaiting funds from a successful grant application to put a power source in the street to facilitate events like Dorrigo Handmade Market. With this installation there will not be any more extension cords crossing footpaths. It makes no sense to rebuild the road and then dig it up again to instal the power.
It will be done.

Finally, I hold a ‘Meet the Councillor’ monthly on the first Wednesday of the month (10 am to 2 pm) in the Dorrigo Community Hall.

Before you write a post check the facts by coming and talking with me.

Waterfall Way Community Land Trust (WWCLT) is a community-led organisation supporting affordable housing and secure land access in the Bellingen Shire through a community land trust model.

04/08/2026

'Meet the Councillor' Day

If you have something on your mind I may be able to assist with please come and visit me for 'positive discussion for positive outcomes.'

Dorrigo Community Hall
10 am to 2 pm

Looking forward to seeing you.

06/07/2026

Regrettably I am unable to hold my monthly 'Meet the Councillor get-together this month.

Look forward to meeting with you first Wednesday of August.

27/05/2026

04/05/2026

When:
This Wednesday coming, 6th May, 2026...

Time: 1
10 am to 2 pm

Where:
Meeting room at rear of Dorrigo Community Hall

What for:
Something on your mind?
I may be able to help.
I'll certainly do my best.

Remember, it's positive discussion for positive outcomes

Looking forward to seeing you.

30/03/2026

Due to the unavailability of the Dorrigo Community Hall the monthly 'Meet the Councillor' is cancelled for April.

Back again on the 6th May, 2026.