Purple Bin Collections

The next purple (glass) bin collections begin on Monday 2 March.

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February Rates Due

Rates are due 28 February 2026. Make your payment or learn more by clicking the link below.

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Eco News

Welcome to the home of the Environment & Sustainability team's quarterly newsletter.

Subscribe to receive updates and news about our projects, events, tips for greener living, and stories from the field.

Current edition

February 2026

Previous editions

October 2025

June 2025

May 2025

February 2025

Discussions

Latest Updates

February 2026 Nursery update

Published on 12 February 2026

The council native nursery is in full swing since coming back from the holiday break!

Give festive season waste a second life

Published on 12 February 2026

We've put together a short list of five sustainable ideas to file away for next year's festive season!

Traditional Owner led caring for Country activities

Published on 12 February 2026

Council recently partnered with the Ngalan Bitja Rangers on two important activities to support our natural environment. A mosaic burn, and ecological thinning of dense Eucalypt regrowth.

We’re prompting local businesses to consider their Continuity Plans

Published on 12 February 2026

We've partnered with our colleagues in the Economic Development department to create a suite of four practical checklists designed to help local businesses prepare for adverse weather conditions.

Wandering into the world of weeds

Published on 12 February 2026

The council native nursery is in full swing coming back from the holiday break. Our seedlings have actually enjoyed the hot weather and are flourishing!

Our team's Nature Diaries - February 2026

Published on 12 February 2026

Just like us, wildlife can find extreme heat events just as intense, and although many species have adaptations to cope with the warmer conditions, they can still struggle to survive in extreme heat.

Don’t forget that RCoW is a member of the Goulburn Murray Solar Savers program, giving residents and local businesses access to competitive, pre-agreed pricing through a panel of fully vetted installers.

Our team's Nature Diaries - October 2025

Published on 01 October 2025

Spring is here and the wattles are blooming, birds are singing and all the wildflowers getting ready to burst!

We've joined Goulburn Murray Solar Savers!

Published on 01 October 2025

Rural City of Wangaratta has joined the Goulburn Murray Solar Savers program. Find out what is it and how you can benefit here.

Working together to care for our rural roadsides

Published on 01 October 2025

Council has a guide to help support rural landholders and residents in understanding the values of their local roadsides, what activities can be undertaken on roadsides and when a permit is needed.

Celebrating Connection: Highlights from Bangerang Community Day

Published on 01 October 2025

Our third annual Bangerang Community Day to celebrate NADOC week 2025 was a great success!

Inspiring future changemakers

Published on 01 October 2025

The Environment & Sustainability team were delighted to participate in the 2025 Local Government Careers Expo at Galen College, open to high school students in our municipality.

Take action for Platypus!

Published on 01 October 2025

September was Platypus month. These shy semi-aquatic mammals continue to face threats from a silent killer in our waterways: loopy litter. Read more here.

Councillors explore our on-ground projects

Published on 24 June 2025

On Monday 23rd June, Councillors joined the Environment & Sustainability team to check out our on-ground projects across our municipality.

Try something new this Plastic Free July

Published on 17 June 2025

Each year, Plastic Free July inspires millions around the world to reduce plastic waste and rethink their consumption habits. It’s a great reminder that small actions, taken together, can lead to big change.
Click through to read about some practical and creative ways you can get involved this month

Small Habit, Big Impact: How our Eco Leaders helped cut energy waste

Published on 17 June 2025

Over the past few months, one of our internal staff committees—the Eco Leaders—launched a campaign to encourage better energy-saving habits, focusing on one simple action: switching off computer monitors at the end of the workday.

Controlling rabbits on Council-managed land

Published on 13 June 2025

Council's annual roadside rabbit control program is currently underway. Read more here.

Our team's Nature Diaries - June 2025

Published on 10 June 2025

With the recent rainfall, everyone has breathed a sigh of relief, and we are waiting in anticipation to commence this year's planting season
- Council's Environment & Horticulture Officer

Annual Schools Tree Day celebrations

Published on 10 June 2025

This year the Environment & Sustainability team will sort and deliver 850 plants to 17 local schools across the municipality, in addition to hosting 150 students at our annual Schools Tree Day planting day!

Councils Exotic Weed & Pest Program

Published on 10 June 2025

As part of its ongoing commitment to environmental management, Council has invested into addressing significant exotic tree infestations along council-managed roadsides this year.

Our team's Nature Diaries - April 2025

Published on 04 April 2025

It's that time again! My favourite time of the year - nesting box checking! - Council's Environment & Horticulture Officer

Native Gardening in Autumn

Published on 24 March 2025

This is the right time of the year to start thinking about your garden plans before winter!

Our team's Nature Diaries - January 2025

Published on 23 January 2025

Whilst out and about in our beautiful region lately, I have noticed two common themes that have been a standout for me over these warmer months. One of these goes mostly unnoticed by many, whilst the other generally gets a bad wrap! - native grasses and snakes…

Six tips for a sustainable gathering

Published on 23 January 2025

Here’s a few tips to help make your event more sustainable and reduce your costs.

RCoW Staff 'Swap Shop'

Published on 23 January 2025

In December, staff at Council participated in a ‘Swap Shop’, an opportunity to swap gently used household items like kitchenware, clothes, toys, books, puzzles and more with their colleagues in order to combat ‘fast fashion’ and waste before Christmas.

10/10 Leadership - Youth Climate & Resilience

Published on 23 January 2025

Aged between 15-25 and passionate about becoming a leader in climate resilience and action within your community? Read this!

Nursery Update

Published on 20 January 2025

As we step into 2025, we’re proud to celebrate a milestone achievement from last year—a record-breaking number of indigenous plants added to our municipality!

Purple Bin Collections

February Rates Due

Eco News

Current edition

Previous editions

Discussions

Latest Updates

February 2026 Nursery update

Give festive season waste a second life

Traditional Owner led caring for Country activities

We’re prompting local businesses to consider their Continuity Plans

Wandering into the world of weeds

Our team's Nature Diaries - February 2026

Considering a home battery?

Our team's Nature Diaries - October 2025

We've joined Goulburn Murray Solar Savers!

Working together to care for our rural roadsides

Celebrating Connection: Highlights from Bangerang Community Day

Inspiring future changemakers

Take action for Platypus!

Councillors explore our on-ground projects

Try something new this Plastic Free July

Small Habit, Big Impact: How our Eco Leaders helped cut energy waste

Controlling rabbits on Council-managed land

Our team's Nature Diaries - June 2025

Annual Schools Tree Day celebrations

Councils Exotic Weed & Pest Program

Our team's Nature Diaries - April 2025

Native Gardening in Autumn

Our team's Nature Diaries - January 2025

Six tips for a sustainable gathering

RCoW Staff 'Swap Shop'

10/10 Leadership - Youth Climate & Resilience

Nursery Update