Council Newsletter - A message from Matt Nelson, CEO

Published on 17 June 2026

Rural City of Wangaratta’s new CEO, Matt Nelson, tells us why he values local government, what has stood out in his first 60 days at Council, and what the future holds for Wangaratta.

Like many councils across Victoria, we are navigating significant financial pressures, including rate capping, rising construction and delivery costs, and cost shifting from other levels of government. We need to find approximately $3 million in savings, with cost-shifting accounting for around $1.9 million of that challenge.

This means there is important work ahead over the next six months on a financial sustainability action plan. At the same time, it’s important to remember that Council continues to deliver more than 50 services, many of which are not profit-generating but are vital to the wellbeing, liveability and connection of our community.

The 2026/27 budget includes important projects for the year ahead, including the $1.16 million Green Street upgrade, the $550,000 Lake Buffalo-Whitfield Road bridge renewal, works on the Wareena Park Master Plan, the Eldorado Township development, and further improvements across our sporting and recreational areas.

I believe Wangaratta should have growth aspirations, and part of that work is thinking clearly about where we want our community to be by 2046. But growth should never come at the expense of the existing community and the qualities that make this place so special.

I’m looking forward to continuing to meet with local businesses, community groups, and sporting organisations, building strong partnerships and staying connected to the people and places that make Wangaratta what it is.

In my first 60 days as CEO, I’ve made it a priority to meet as many of Council’s staff as possible, whether one-on-one or in groups, and to experience firsthand the essential work they do. I’ve joined the kerbside waste collection shift at 5.30am on a Friday and seen our facilities cleaned before dawn on a Saturday. I’ve had the chance to see not only the services Council provides but also the passion and pride our people bring to their work every day.

What has stood out most is how deeply staff care about Wangaratta and about serving the community well. I believe that if we put the community at the centre of everything we do, we will rarely go wrong.

I feel very fortunate to be living here, and very privileged to have the opportunity to work with and for this community.  Local Government is the closest level of government to the community. I am looking forward to working with the community and having my family settle into and contributing to our vibrant municipality.