Campaspe Shire Council has endorsed a change to the operating hours of the Tongala Service Centre and Library, with the facility to open two days per week from Tuesday 1 September 2026.
Under the revised service model, the centre will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8.30am to 4.30pm, (closing between 12 noon and 1pm for staff lunch break). This replaces the current four-day schedule and returns the service to operating levels similar to those in place prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The change follows a review of service usage across Council's customer service centres and libraries.
Campaspe Shire Mayor, Cr Daniel Mackrell said the decision was a measured response to changing customer behaviours and low service demand, while ensuring residents continued to have access to Council services.
"Council understands that any reduction in local services may be disappointing for some community members, and this decision was not made lightly.
"Importantly, Tongala residents will continue to have access to customer service and library services in town two days a week, while also being able to connect with Council by phone, online or at our nearby Kyabram and Echuca service centres," Cr Mackrell said.
The review found Tongala to be Council's least-utilised service centre and library location, accounting for just over seven per cent of in-person customer service interactions and around one per cent of library visits across the shire. Service usage has also steadily declined over recent years.
Cr Mackrell said Council remained committed to providing accessible services while ensuring resources were directed where community demand was greatest.
"As more people choose to access Council services digitally or by phone, we need to make sure our service model reflects how the community is using those services today.
"Residents can continue to pay rates and registrations online, submit requests through Council's website, speak with our customer service team over the phone, or visit other service centres if required," he said.
Library services will be available on both operating days with Council's Librarian continuing to be based at the Tongala Library on Tuesdays. Staff will continue to provide services from the site, including support for readers, access to library programs and the delivery of popular school holiday activities.
The revised operating days have been selected to align with the days that Kyabram District Health Service operates from the shared Tongala facility, making it easier for residents accessing multiple services in a single visit.
