Feedback needed on Draft Council Plan, Finance Plan, and Asset Plan
Published on 28 August 2025
The Rural City of Wangaratta endorsed three strategic plans for community engagement at the scheduled August Council Meeting, which will guide the municipality’s direction over the coming decade: the Draft Council Plan 2025–2029 - including the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan, the Draft Financial Plan 2025–2035, and the Draft Asset Plan 2025–2035.
The three plans will not only guide Council’s operations but are also required under the Victorian Government’s Local Government Act 2020 and Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008.
All three plans have been shaped by insights and priorities identified in Council’s recent Engagement Summary Report, which captured feedback from over 2,000 community members and stakeholders since November 2024 through general and deliberative engagement processes, including surveys, workshops, pop-up events, and targeted outreach.
Council Plan 2025–2029
The Council Plan outlines strategic objectives, strategies, and indicators for the next four years. The document guides Council projects, services, and resource allocation. It also includes the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan, which requires approval from the Department of Health.
The Plan is aligned with the community’s top ten priorities for the future and is built around four themes: Community Wellbeing, Natural Environment, Economy and Tourism, and Infrastructure and Place. It also incorporates the Council’s Health and Wellbeing Statement and three core principles: financial sustainability, people, and communication and engagement.
Financial Plan 2025–2035
The Financial Plan outlines Council’s long-term financial strategy; it provides a financially sustainable way for Council to achieve the Council Plan and the recently adopted Community Vision 2045. Strategies outlined in the Plan feed into budgeting and other strategic planning documents.
The plan highlights Council’s financial position and expected changes over the next decade. Council projects a cumulative adjusted underlying deficit over the next 10 years and emphasises a focus on achieving ongoing efficiency savings to address the deficit, along with other measures including management and prioritisation of expenditure, setting fair and appropriate user fees and charges, and improved asset management planning.
Asset Plan 2025–2035
The Asset Plan provides a framework for managing Council’s assets, including roads, drainage, buildings, and open spaces, ensuring they are fit for purpose and financially sustainable. It covers a planning horizon of at least the next 10 financial years and details the maintenance, renewal, acquisition, and disposal of infrastructure assets; balancing the needs and interests of residents, businesses, and visitors.
Council’s assets are valued at approximately $586 million and include 713 km of sealed roads, 1180 km of unsealed roads, 226 km of stormwater pipes, 150 buildings, 43 playgrounds, and 96 sporting grounds and courts.
How the community can share feedback
The community is encouraged to review the plans and share their feedback through the Community Engagement portal, Connect Wangaratta, pick up a survey from the Government Centre and Library, or attend an in-person drop-in session during September. Feedback is open until 26 September.
Irene Grant, Rural City of Wangaratta Mayor:
“We’ve been working closely with our community since November, and I would like to thank everyone for their invaluable feedback so far. Your insights and suggestions have played a key role in shaping our plans.
I encourage everyone to keep reviewing the plan and sharing their thoughts. Together, we can bring our vision to life and make sure the Rural City of Wangaratta is a place for everyone.”
Complete the Survey:
Online: connect.wangaratta.vic.gov.au
In person: physical surveys available for collection at the Rural City of Wangaratta Government Centre and Wangaratta Library
Drop-in Sessions:
Thursday, 4 September 4-6pm Wangaratta Library
Tuesday, 9 September 11am-2pm Reid St Kiosk
Monday, 15 September 8-11am Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre