Wangaratta is a place for everyone - Proposed 2045 Community Vision
Published on 16 May 2025
The Rural City of Wangaratta is seeking feedback on the proposed 2045 Community Vision until 13 June through Connect Wangaratta and drop-in sessions. The Vision has been developed following input from the community through recent Council Plan surveys, workshops, and consultation with Councillors.
A Community Vision captures the community’s aspirations for the next 20 years and helps guide all Council decision-making and planning. Under the Local Government Act 2020, all councils across Victoria are required to develop and maintain a Community Vision.
The proposed vision incorporates the feedback received from the community. It includes maintaining key values from the current vision of urban-rural balance, natural beauty, inclusiveness, and community identity and refining the language to make it more accessible.
The proposed 2045 Community Vision is:
Wangaratta is a place for everyone.
We are a welcoming and caring community where everyone feels connected and supported to live well.
We value balance between our urban and rural communities, ensuring shared opportunity and quality of life.
Our natural environment supports our wellbeing and forms a strong part of our cultural identity.
Our strength lies in our resilience and active participation in shaping a future for all to thrive.
Mayor Irene Grant said:
“I look forward to hearing the response to our proposed Community Vision. Over the past six months, we’ve gathered feedback, shaping our vision to align closely with the community's aspirations. I believe the draft reflects our shared values and will guide us into the future together.”
The community can provide feedback on the Vision via the Connect Wangaratta website and two drop-in sessions. Feedback is open until 13 June, and the final Vision will be reviewed at the July Council meeting.
Additional Information
The current 2033 Community Vision, developed in 2021:
We are an inclusive, courageous and compassionate community, that has built our future on a respectful balance between the urban and the rural.
We are known for our natural beauty, access to opportunities and innovation, our resilience, and our community strength.
We have a mature and healthy landscape that supports our wellbeing and forms a strong part of our identity.
We are the place where everyone has the ability to engage, to prosper, to be supported, and to grow.
Community Vision Drop-in sessions:
- Monday, 26 May 9 - 11 am | Wangaratta Government Centre, Foyer 1
- Thursday, 29 May 4 – 6 pm | Wangaratta Library, Foyer
Connect Wangaratta website: connect.wangaratta.vic.gov.au/reviewing-our-community-vision
Connect Wangaratta serves as the community engagement portal for the Rural City of Wangaratta. Since November 2023, 24 projects have hosted community engagement on the platform, attracting over 8,000 visitors and receiving nearly 2,000 contributions.