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Monday 8am - 5:15pm Tuesday 8am - 5:15pm Wednesday 8am - 5:15pm Thursday 8am - 5:15pm Friday 8am - 5:15pm

Ararat Rural City Council

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Ararat Rural City Council

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Keep up-to-date on Ararat Rural City Council news, events and information.

30/10/2026

🎅 Mark your calendars because Santa Claus is coming to town!🎄

Ararat Rural City Council is excited to bring Santa Photo Sessions to Ararat this year! 📸✨

Don't miss out on creating magical festive memories with the whole family, including furry friends and those needing a sensory-friendly experience 🐶❤️

📅 Dates: 11, 12, 18 and 19 December
🎟️ Bookings open: Friday 6 November

Full location details and session times will be available when bookings open. Spots are limited and booking is essential, so make sure to follow Council’s socials for updates!

29/10/2026

🩷 We lit up Ararat Town Hall in pink during the first week of October to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month and show our support for everyone affected by breast cancer.

As the month draws to a close, we commend the many residents, businesses and community groups who have raised funds and awareness. From morning teas to livestreamed head shaves, your generosity, creativity and community spirit have been wonderful to see. Thank you to everyone who organised a fundraiser, donated or cheered someone on.

There’s still time to contribute. You can donate directly to the National Breast Cancer Foundation to support breast cancer research:
https://give.nbcf.org.au/donate/

29/10/2026

Prepare for the fire season ahead. Find a Get Fire Ready event near you and learn how to protect what matters most at cfa.vic.gov.au/getfireready

29/10/2026

☕ A big congratulations to Kerrie’s Kreations, winner of the second Grampians Golden Mug Award, presented at last night’s East Grampians Business Awards! Voted by the public for the best local coffee, it’s a well-deserved recognition of a much-loved local business.

If you haven’t tried it for yourself, we highly recommend a visit to Kerrie’s store in Halls Gap, or catching one of her coffee and food trucks as they make their way around Ararat Rural City. Grab a coffee and a bite to eat, and see why the community voted her number one!

Thank you to Mark Linsley, Secretary of Greater Ararat Business Network, for presenting the award, and to everyone who voted. 🏆

29/10/2026

🏆 What a night for our local business community! A huge congratulations to Black & Ginger Wines on a massive night at the 2026 East Grampians Business Awards, taking home Business of the Year, Future Ready Business and Made Here. Congratulations also to The Leo Hotel (The Leopold Hotel), runner-up for Business of the Year – wonderful recognition for another outstanding local business.

Thank you to Paul Kelly for his heartfelt Welcome to Country, the Greater Ararat Business Network for all your involvement in this year’s awards, and our generous sponsors for helping make this celebration possible. A special thank you also to the Ararat Town Hall and Council team members who worked so hard behind the scenes to deliver an incredible night to remember.

There’s so much more to celebrate! We look forward to sharing more photos and highlighting each award category over the coming days, giving our winners, runners-up and local business community the recognition they deserve.

29/10/2026

🌼 There’s a LOT happening across Ararat Rural City this spring! From markets and live music to art, community catch-ups and celebrations, November is full of reasons to get out and about.

Swipe through to see what’s coming up in Ararat, Elmhurst, Willaura, Lake Bolac, Wickliffe, Pomonal and Moyston. Gather your friends, explore a neighbouring town and support the local people who bring our communities together.

📅 Head to our events page for more information and inspiration:
https://www.ararat.vic.gov.au/events

29/10/2026

🌱 Grants of $200,000 to $750,000 are now available through Agriculture Victoria’s On-Farm Energy and Electrification Demonstration Program! The $5 million initiative will support projects demonstrating practical ways to improve energy efficiency, reduce fuel and energy consumption, electrify farm operations or generate renewable energy with broader benefits for farm systems.

Eligible applicants include agricultural industry associations, Farming Systems and Landcare groups, research and development corporations, Catchment Management Authorities, eligible First Nations organisations and businesses, and companies with suitable technology solutions. Individual farming businesses cannot apply on their own but can participate through partnerships with eligible organisations, helping demonstrate technologies and share real-world insights with other farmers.

This is an opportunity for our region’s agricultural sector to explore energy solutions and help farmers make informed investment decisions. Applications close at 5pm on 11 December 2026. Find out more and view the program guidelines at https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/OFEED.

27/10/2026

Please note the broadcast will go offline during the confidential briefing section, and will return once that business is concluded.

26/10/2026

GWMWater is releasing treated recycled water from the Ararat Wastewater Treatment Plant into the Hopkins River following recent wet weather. Rainfall has reduced demand for recycled water off-site, increasing the amount held in storage at the plant.

The release began on 14 October and involves Class C water, which is typically used to irrigate racetracks, golf courses, vineyards and recreational reserves. GWMWater is monitoring water quality during and after the release to help minimise impacts, and has notified EPA Victoria and liaised with the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority.

For more information, contact GWMWater on 1300 659 961 during business hours or visit gwmwater.org.au.

26/10/2026

POSITIONS VACANT : Join Our Team – Development Compliance Officer

Looking for more than a traditional enforcement role?

We're seeking a Development Compliance Officer who can educate, engage and work collaboratively with residents, businesses and developers to achieve positive compliance outcomes. You'll investigate planning matters, provide practical guidance, and undertake enforcement action when necessary.

If you're an excellent communicator with strong legislative knowledge and a balanced approach to compliance, apply today. Visit www.ararat.vic.gov.au for more information. Applications close: Friday 27 November 2026 at 4.00 pm

Phuong Au, Chief Executive Officer

Address

59 Vincent Street
Ararat, VIC
3377

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5:15pm
Tuesday	8am - 5:15pm
Wednesday	8am - 5:15pm
Thursday	8am - 5:15pm
Friday	8am - 5:15pm

Telephone

+61353550200

Website

http://www.ararat.vic.gov.au/

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