A year after adopting its Council Plan 2025-2029, the Rural City of Wangaratta says all of its first-year actions are on track, with progress recorded across community services, environmental initiatives, economic development, and infrastructure projects.
Mayor, Irene Grant said the first year of the Plan has delivered positive outcomes across a range of areas.
“The Council Plan reflects what our community told us is important. Over the past year we’ve been delivering those priorities, from supporting local businesses and community programs to improving sustainability initiatives and advocating for better infrastructure,” said Mayor Grant.
“It’s encouraging to see all actions for the first year on track, but more importantly, we’re seeing real outcomes for our community.”
Developed with extensive community input, the Council Plan provides the municipality’s direction over four years and focuses on four strategic themes:
- Community Wellbeing
Council adopted the co-designed Level Up Youth Strategy and continued delivering community, arts, culture, library, and recreation programs. Community satisfaction increased to 73% for recreational facilities and 77% for arts centres and libraries, with more than one in four residents registered as library members. More than 109,000 people attended events and performances at WPACC, while the Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre recorded more than 453,000 visits, up 6.6% from the previous year.
- Natural Environment
Council introduced the new state government mandated purple-lid glass recycling service and, with community partners, planted more than 7,200 native trees, shrubs, and grasses across the municipality. Community satisfaction with environmental sustainability and the appearance of public areas also improved.
- Economy and Tourism
Council continued promoting Wangaratta as a place to live, work, invest and do business through investment attraction, tourism, events, and marketing. This work was supported by business engagement and regional partnerships, and a strengthening of its Business Concierge approach. Wangaratta’s Gross Regional Product increased by 2% to $2.391 billion.
- Infrastructure and Place
Council continued to advocate for improvements to Department of Transport and Planning managed roads such as the widening of Wangaratta-Whitfield Road, and repairs to Greta Road and Murdoch Road. Council secured funding for the missing shared path connection between the railway station and the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail. During the year, 92% of sealed roads remained below intervention level, 75% of planning applications were determined within legislated timeframes and 161 new residential lots were released, exceeding the annual target.
Mayor Grant said the first year of the Council Plan demonstrates positive progress towards the future vision developed with the community.
The Council says it remains focused on delivering the priorities residents identified and developing community feedback into meaningful action, especially during challenging economic times.
“Rural City of Wangaratta also looks forward to working with state government following the November election to support the continued implementation of the Council Plan,” the Mayor said.
