MidCoast Council

MidCoast Council is a local government area located in the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales, Australia. The council was formed on 12 May 2016 through a merger of the Gloucester Shire, Great Lakes and City of Greater Taree Councils.

The MidCoast local government area comprises an area of 10,053 square kilometres (3,881 sq mi) and occupies the southern portion of the Mid North Coast of New South Wales stretching 190 km (118 mi) between the coastal towns of Hawks Nest and Tea Gardens and northwards to Crowdy Bay National Park. The council region includes the three great lakes, the coastal towns of Seal Rocks, Forster, Taree, and onto Crowdy Head north of Harrington. The LGA extends inland to the Barrington Tops National Park west of Gloucester, plus Stroud, Bulahdelah and Wingham. It includes the Manning River and valley adjoining the Three Brothers mountains. At the time of its establishment the council had an estimated population of 90,504.

The Mayor of the MidCoast Council is Councillor Claire Pontin, who was elected on 12 January 2022.

Towns and localities

The following towns and localities are located within the Mid–Coast Council area:

Heritage listings

MidCoast Council area has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

High Conservation Value Old Growth forest

Demographics

The population for the predecessor councils was estimated in 2015 as:

5,160 in Gloucester Shire
36,720 in Great Lakes Council and
49,095 in City of Greater Taree.

Council

MidCoast Council is composed of eleven councillors elected proportionally in a single ward. All councillors were elected to a fixed three-year term of office on 14 September 2024. The positions of Mayor and Deputy Mayor are chosen by councillors.

The current Council, elected in 2024, in order of election, is: