Greater Shepparton, Greater Possibilities Greater Shepparton Ready To Deliver Victoria’s Growth 2026/27
Greater Shepparton is experiencing significant growth, and this growth brings opportunity, however there are still challenges that need to be addressed. This document highlights the key infrastructure priorities and important public policy topics for Greater Shepparton. These projects will collectively contribute to strengthening economic and social activity and improved liveability for our region.
Strategic investment in Greater Shepparton will help Victoria deliver:
- Housing growth and greater housing choice
- Healthcare closer to home
- Skilled workforce development
- Regional jobs and economic growth
- Food security and advanced manufacturing capability
- Enhanced freight and logistics productivity
- Stronger and more resilient communities
- Climate adaptation and flood resilience
- Improved connectivity across regional Victoria
We are ready for growth
Greater Shepparton plays a central role in accommodating Victoria’s future population growth. We have the capacity to deliver the homes, jobs and lifestyle opportunities that many growing parts of the state cannot.
Without these investments, the full benefits of regional growth cannot be realised.
A Partnership for Victoria’s Future
Greater Shepparton is not seeking investment to prepare for growth, we are seeking investment to manage our growth.
We have the plans, the land, the industry, the workforce and the ambition. With partnership with the Victorian Government, Greater Shepparton can deliver the housing, economic development, connectivity and liveability outcomes that Victoria needs.
Greater Shepparton is ready to deliver for Victoria. Now is the time to invest in the infrastructure and services that will unlock our next chapter of growth.
Want to tell your story?
We’re collecting short, informal community stories to help show how gaps in essential services - such as roads, hospital services (including travelling to Melbourne or other regional centres for treatment), public transport and sporting facilities - affect everyday life in Greater Shepparton.
Stories will be shared as part of Council’s State Budget advocacy, including on our social media channels and the State Advocacy webpage, to help decision‑makers understand real community impacts. Stories will only be used with your consent, and participants will be informed before content is shared.
What we are advocating for:
Read below for a brief overview for each of the six priority projects for Greater Shepparton.
Click the tab buttons to switch between projects and for the full details, download the Victorian Government Priorities Document 2026/27.
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Facilities
Shepparton Sports & Events Centre
Supporting Healthy, Active and Connected Communities
Challenges and Opportunities
For more than 50 years, the Shepparton Sports Stadium has served the community well. Built for a smaller population, the four-court facility no longer has the capacity or functionality to meet current demand, let alone support the significant growth forecast across Greater Shepparton and the wider Goulburn Valley.
The stadium is at capacity, with clubs, schools and community groups competing for court availability. Fewer opportunities for training, competition and player development also denies clubs the opportunity to expand programs and membership.
Given its age, the stadium falls short of contemporary standards for accessibility and flexibility. Its size and limitations prevent the venue from attracting the regional and state tournaments that modern multi-court venues can host and that also grow the visitor economy, support local businesses and reinforce the region’s reputation as a premier destination for sport and major events.
As the final major component of the Shepparton Sports City precinct, the project will complement existing investments including the Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence and further enhance opportunities for participation, leadership development and community connection.
Investment Ask
$37 million
Victorian Government Partnership to Deliver the Shepparton Sports & Events Centre
- Australian Government: $15m
- Victorian Government: $12m
- Greater Shepparton City Council: $10m
The staged redevelopment will create a regionally significant sporting, entertainment and events venue capable of supporting community participation while attracting major state and national events.
Key Outcomes
The redevelopment will deliver significant community, social and economic benefits, including:
- Increased opportunities for children and young people to participate in sport.
- Expanded opportunities for women and girls in sport.
- Improved accessibility and inclusion for people with disability.
- Greater participation opportunities for multicultural communities.
- Stronger pathways for athletes from grassroots through to elite competition.
- Improved health, wellbeing and social connection outcomes.
- Increased capacity to host state, national and international events.
- Enhanced liveability and community pride.
The expanded facility will service the broader Goulburn and Murray regions, supporting a catchment of more than 250,000 people and strengthening Greater Shepparton’s reputation as the sporting capital of regional Victoria.
Economic Benefits
The redevelopment will deliver significant economic benefits for Greater Shepparton and northern Victoria.
During construction, the project is expected to:
- Generate approximately $73.96 million in economic output.
- Support around 210 jobs.
Over 10 years, the expanded facility is expected to:
- Attract more than 134,200 new visitors.
- Support the attraction of more than 200 major events.
- Generate $84.35 million in new economic activity.
- Retain existing events valued at $65.43 million.
- Deliver a combined economic impact of approximately $149.78 million.
- Support an additional 79 ongoing jobs across hospitality, accommodation, retail, tourism and event services.
Beyond these direct benefits, the project will strengthen Greater Shepparton’s visitor economy, support local businesses and increase the region’s ability to attract future investment.
Why this matters
The Shepparton Sports & Events Centre redevelopment is an investment in the future of regional Victoria. It will create healthier communities, grow participation in sport and recreation and provide pathways for aspiring athletes to develop closer to home.
The project will create lasting social and economic benefits, increasing opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to be active, strengthening community wellbeing, attracting major events, boosting tourism, supporting local businesses and creating new jobs.
As the final stage of the Shepparton Sports City vision, the redevelopment will cement Greater Shepparton as a premier regional destination for sport and events and create a legacy for future generations.
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Transport
Greater Shepparton Road Network Resilience Package
Building a Safer and More Resilient Transport Network
Challenges and Opportunities
Greater Shepparton sits at the intersection of the Goulburn Valley Highway and Midland Highway, making it a major regional hub for freight, manufacturing, agriculture, tourism and community services. As one of regional Victoria’s fastest-growing centres, it services more than 250,000 people and plays an increasingly important role in the national freight network. More people, industrial activity and freight movements collectively place additional pressure on key transport corridors and local roads.
The Greater Shepparton Road Network Resilience Package presents an opportunity to improve connectivity, enhance safety and strengthen network resilience while supporting future economic growth.
Central to the package is the development of a second Goulburn River crossing. The 2022 flood event highlighted the vulnerability of the existing crossing between Shepparton and Mooroopna, demonstrating the need for a resilient alternative route to support communities, emergency services and freight operators during future disruptions.
Targeted road and intersection improvements will also enhance safety, reduce congestion and improve freight efficiency across key transport corridors, while additional investment in local road maintenance will help preserve critical infrastructure and support growing community and industry needs.
Investment Ask
$83 million
- New Goulburn River Bridge (second river crossing) Design Concept 1
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Key Road Projects: Road enhancements/Intersection upgrades:
- River Road, Kialla (estimated $15m to $20m) 2
- Ford Road/Wanganui Roads, Shepparton (estimated $7m additional funding) 3
- Shepparton Alternative Route and Goulburn Valley Highway, Congupna (estimated $20m) 4
- Toolamba Road/Echuca Road/Midland Highway, Mooroopna (estimated $15m) 5
- Inner East Link Road, Shepparton (estimated $14m) 6
- Welsford Street, Shepparton (estimated $7m) 7
- Local Road Maintenance Investment Package $TBC
The package combines strategic transport investments that will enhance freight productivity, improve safety, support population growth and increase network resilience across the region.
Why this Matters
The Greater Shepparton Road Network Resilience Package is an investment in regional growth, community safety and economic prosperity.
By improving freight efficiency, strengthening transport links and building resilience into the road network, these projects will support population growth, industry development and long-term prosperity across northern Victoria.
Key Outcomes
The Greater Shepparton Road Network Resilience Package will enable:
- Improved freight efficiency and supply chain reliability.
- Increased road safety and reduced congestion.
- A more resilient transport network during emergencies and flood events.
- Improved connectivity between Shepparton, Mooroopna and surrounding communities.
- Better access to jobs, education, healthcare and recreation.
- Enhanced active transport and road user connectivity.
- Increased capacity to support population and employment growth.
- Greater investment attraction and regional competitiveness.
The new Goulburn River Bridge will provide an important alternative crossing and strengthen the resilience of one of northern Victoria’s most important freight and transport corridors.
Economic Benefits
Investment in transport infrastructure will boost the productivity and competitiveness of Greater Shepparton’s agricultural, manufacturing and freight sectors.
The package will:
- Reduce freight and vehicle operating costs.
- Improve travel reliability and network efficiency.
- Strengthen access to industrial precincts, including GV Link Enterprise Park.
- Support business growth and private investment.
- Enhance supply chain resilience during network disruptions.
- Improve connections to domestic and export markets.
- Create jobs and support long-term economic growth across northern Victoria.
Beyond freight benefits, improved transport infrastructure will enhance liveability by making it easier and safer for residents to access jobs, education, healthcare and community services.
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Health
Regional Health Infrastructure
Healthcare Closer to Home
Challenges and Opportunities
Greater Shepparton is the health and service centre for northern Victoria, supporting a regional catchment extending across the Goulburn Valley and the broader Hume region, and into southern New South Wales.
Yet GV Health is the only major regional Victorian public health service without a completed redevelopment of its main hospital, an Integrated Cancer Centre and a Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory.
Around 50 per cent of the Shepparton Hospital redevelopment is yet to be delivered, including the replacement of critical facilities that are no longer fit for purpose. As a result, patients continue to travel outside the region for care, facing higher costs, more fragmented care, and poorer health outcomes.
To address these gaps, two critical projects are ready to proceed as the next stages of the full redevelopment: an Integrated Cancer Centre and a Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory. These projects represent the immediate investment ask and would close two of the biggest gaps in healthcare access in Victoria.
In addition to these facilities, completing the full redevelopment (estimated cost: $1.4 billion) would deliver modern inpatient facilities, more clinic and day-treatment capacity, and better parking infrastructure.
Investment Ask
Victorian Government Partnership to deliver the next stages of the Shepparton Hospital redevelopment
Investment of an estimated $125.7 million to deliver:
- Integrated Cancer Centre: $95 million
- Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory: $30.7 million
Note: Cost estimates prepared by an independent quantity surveyor commissioned by GV Health and assume project commencement by mid-2029.
Integrated Cancer Centre
GV Health is the only regional public health service in Victoria without a dedicated Integrated Cancer Centre at its main hospital site. As a result, cancer care remains fragmented, with services delivered across multiple locations on the Shepparton Hospital campus, and radiotherapy unavailable on site.
An estimated $95 million is required to bring cancer diagnosis and treatment, planning, support and wellbeing services and radiotherapy together under one roof, reducing the need for patients to travel outside the region for specialised care.
The project has strong community backing, including a $2 million contribution from the Copulos family.
“Every trip to Melbourne takes it out of you, especially when you’re already unwell. It would make such a difference to have the care we need here in Shepparton.”
— Fiona Belmond, Greater Shepparton resident
Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory
GV Health is also the only regional public health service in Victoria without a Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory at its main hospital site. Patients currently travel out of region - often to Melbourne - for time-critical cardiac care that should be available closer to home.
Establishing a Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory at Shepparton Hospital would improve access to life-saving cardiac care, reduce urgent patient transfers and support faster diagnosis and treatment. The estimated cost is $30.7 million.
The project will deliver:
- Diagnostic cardiology services
- Interventional procedures including angiograms and stent insertion
- Integration with emergency, acute and intensive care services
- Expanded specialist cardiac care capacity for northern Victoria
Key Outcomes
Completion of these projects will deliver:
- Improve access to specialist healthcare services closer to home
- Reduce travel, cost and disruption for patients and families
- Improve continuity of care and patient outcomes
- Provide faster access to life-saving cardiac treatment
- Strengthen healthcare equity across northern Victoria
- Enhance the attraction and retention of specialist clinicians
- The projects will ensure communities across northern Victoria have access to healthcare services and facilities comparable to those available in other major regional centres and metropolitan Melbourne.
Economic Benefits
Investment in regional health infrastructure delivers benefits well beyond the health sector. The projects will create jobs, attract specialist clinicians, reduce healthcare-related travel costs, support workforce and population growth, and strengthen Greater Shepparton’s attractiveness as a place to live, work and invest.
Access to high-quality healthcare is a key factor in attracting skilled workers, supporting businesses and strengthening regional communities.
“Every hospital trip to Melbourne means time off work without pay.”
— Leanne Johannson, Greater Shepparton resident and carerWhy this Matters
Completing the Shepparton Hospital redevelopment is an investment in healthier communities, healthcare equity and regional growth.
Delivering an Integrated Cancer Centre and Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory would close two of the biggest gaps in healthcare access in Victoria, providing more life-saving care closer to home and putting northern Victoria on a level playing field with other major regional centres.
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Transport
Fit-for-Purpose Bus Transport Network Review
Connecting People to Jobs, Education and Services
Challenges and Opportunities
Greater Shepparton has grown significantly over the past 15 years, with expanding residential areas and employment precincts, major health and education facilities, and increasing demand for accessible transport options.
While the region has evolved, the public transport network has not. This presents an opportunity to modernise bus services to better reflect current travel patterns and support future growth. An efficient and accessible public transport network will help ensure a connected, inclusive and liveable community.
Many growth areas remain inaccessible. Improved services would help people of all age and abilities get to access employment, education and training opportunities, healthcare services, sporting and recreational facilities, and community activities. Current weekend public transport services and connections between Shepparton, Mooroopna and nearby townships do not adequately meet community needs.
Better transport connections are essential for our community. Young people and older residents, those with a disability and those who live in surrounding residents all rely on reliable public transport.
A modern bus network presents an opportunity to better connect people with jobs, education, healthcare and services while supporting sustainable population growth and economic development across the region.
“Living in Merrigum, getting the care I need isn’t simple. It means travelling, planning, and relying on others just to get to appointments.”
— Robert Hose, Greater Shepparton residentInvestment Ask
Victorian Government funding to undertake a comprehensive review, redesign and implementation of a modern, accessible and future-focused bus network for Greater Shepparton, including community and stakeholder consultation in 2026/27 and revised bus network timetables and service improvements implemented in 2027/28, in line with the objectives of Victoria’s Bus Plan.
The review would include:
- Comprehensive community and stakeholder engagement.
- Assessment of existing routes, service frequency and network performance.
- Analysis of emerging residential growth areas and future transport demand.
- Review of connections to health, education and employment destinations.
- Review of services connecting Shepparton, Mooroopna and surrounding townships.
- Consideration of evening and weekend service improvements.
- Identification of future infrastructure and fleet requirements.
- Development of an implementation plan for network and timetable improvements.
Key Outcomes
The review and subsequent implementation of network improvements will benefit residents, businesses and visitors by including:
- Improved access to employment precincts and major workplaces.
- Stronger connections to schools, GOTAFE and apprenticeship opportunities.
- Enhanced access to healthcare and community services.
- Improved connectivity between Shepparton, Mooroopna and surrounding townships.
- Increased public transport patronage.
- Greater independence for young people and older residents.
- Reduced social isolation.
- Improved accessibility for people with disability.
- Increased participation in sporting, recreational and cultural activities.
- More sustainable transport outcomes.
Importantly, improved public transport will help connect residents to major regional investments including GV Health, GV Link Enterprise Park, the Kialla West Growth Area, the Sports and Events Centre and the proposed Trades Training Precinct.
Economic Benefits
Investment in public transport is an investment in workforce participation, economic productivity and regional growth.
A modern bus network will:
- Help businesses access a larger workforce pool.
- Connect workers with jobs and training opportunities.
- Support apprentices and trainees travelling to education providers and workplaces.
- Improve access to retail, hospitality and service industries.
- Increase economic participation among residents without access to private transport.
- Support visitation and tourism.
- Encourage investment in growth areas and employment precincts.
- Reduce transport barriers for job seekers.
- Strengthen regional connectivity and economic resilience.
“I feel bad relying on my parents all the time. More buses would make a big difference.”
— Stanley Faaoso, Greater Shepparton residentWhy this Matters
A modern bus network is essential infrastructure for a growing regional city. By connecting people to jobs, education, healthcare and community services, this investment will improve liveability, strengthen workforce participation and support Greater Shepparton’s continued growth as the regional capital of northern Victoria.
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Education
Northern Victoria Institute of TAFE (NVITAFE) Regional Trades Training Precinct
Connecting People to Jobs, Education and Services
Challenges and Opportunities
Greater Shepparton is experiencing strong growth across housing, construction, manufacturing, transport and infrastructure sectors. This growth is driving increasing demand for skilled tradespeople and creating opportunities for apprenticeships, vocational training and long-term employment.
The new Legal Entity supporting GOTAFE and Wodonga TAFE, plays a critical role in developing the workforce needed to support northern Victoria’s economy. Trades training is currently spread across multiple campuses. The facilities at William Orr and Fryers Street are increasingly constrained and do not meet future training requirements.
NVITAFE, the establishment of a Regional Trades Training Precinct, presents an opportunity to create a modern centre of excellence for vocational education and apprenticeships while supporting Victoria’s housing, infrastructure and economic growth objectives.
The precinct will consolidate training at the former McGuire College site alongside the Archer Street campus, creating a contemporary, industry-aligned training environment capable of responding to emerging technologies, workforce demand and future industry growth.
Investment Ask
$15 million
Victorian Government Partnership to Deliver the NVITAFE Regional Trades Training Precinct
The project will redevelop the former McGuire College site and establish an integrated trades training hub that maximises existing governmentowned infrastructure while delivering modern facilities aligned with industry needs.
The redevelopment will include:
- Dedicated automotive and electrotechnology training facilities.
- Modern workshops and practical learning environments.
- Student support and administration facilities.
- Improved accessibility, safety and campus functionality.
- Expanded parking and external training areas.
- Capacity for future growth and industry expansion.
Key Outcomes
The Regional Trades Training Precinct will deliver:
- Increased apprenticeship and trainee opportunities.
- Capacity for an additional 100-200 students and apprentices.
- Improved pathways from education to employment.
- Enhanced industry partnerships and workforce readiness.
- Modern training facilities aligned to current and future industry needs.
- Greater participation in vocational education.
- Improved retention of young people within the region.
- Capacity to meet future workforce demand across northern Victoria.
- The precinct will help ensure local students can access high-quality training close to home while providing businesses with the skilled workforce needed to support regional growth.
Economic Benefits
Investment in skills and workforce development is fundamental to supporting regional productivity and economic prosperity.
The project will:
- Help address critical trade and construction workforce shortages.
- Support housing and infrastructure delivery across regional Victoria.
- Strengthen manufacturing, automotive and construction industries.
- Increase workforce participation and productivity.
- Support business growth and investment.
- Create employment opportunities for young people.
- Build the skilled workforce needed to sustain future economic growth.
- Importantly, the precinct will support the workforce needs associated with major regional investments, including housing developments, industrial expansion and infrastructure projects identified throughout Greater Shepparton’s advocacy program.
Why this Matters
The NVITAFE Regional Trades Training Precinct is an investment in people, skills and regional prosperity.
By creating a modern centre of excellence for vocational education and apprenticeships, this project will address workforce shortages, strengthen industry capability and provide pathways for local people into meaningful careers.
It will help ensure northern Victoria has the skilled workforce required to deliver future housing, infrastructure and economic growth.
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Build
Regional Growth Fund
Investment
Greater Shepparton strongly supports Regional Cities Victoria’s (RCV) call for a dedicated $1 billion Regional Growth Fund to unlock housing, jobs, investment and economic growth across regional Victoria.
As one of Victoria’s fastest-growing regional cities, Greater Shepparton has the capacity to deliver significant housing growth, support workforce development and attract private investment.
We have the land, planning frameworks and development opportunities in place.
What we need now is investment in the enabling infrastructure and community assets required to support growth and maximise regional economic outcomes.
In alignment with the Regional Cities Victoria (RCV) advocacy priority, Greater Shepparton seeks investment in the following projects through a future $1 billion Regional Growth Fund.
Investment Ask
GV Link Enterprise Park:$28 million
Kialla West Growth Area::$21 million
Banmira Specialist School:$30 million
GV Link Enterprise Park – Stage 2
GV Link Enterprise Park is Greater Shepparton’s premier industrial, freight and logistics precinct and a key economic asset for northern Victoria. Stage 2 will extend Innovation Drive, deliver critical drainage and service infrastructure, and unlock 40 hectares of fully serviced industrial land for future development.
The project will enable business expansion, attract new investment, support freight and manufacturing growth, and create long-term employment opportunities in sectors critical to Victoria’s economy. It will also strengthen Greater Shepparton’s role as a regional logistics hub connecting industry to state and national markets.
Kialla West Growth Area – Enabling Infrastructure
Kialla West is one of Greater Shepparton’s most significant future residential growth areas and will play an important role in delivering new housing supply to meet Victoria’s population growth targets.
Investment in trunk sewer, water and associated enabling infrastructure will remove development constraints and unlock land able to accommodate up to 2,000 new homes. This project represents exactly the type of enabling infrastructure required to bring forward housing supply and increase housing choice in regional Victoria. This investment will provide the water and sewer infrastructure needed to unlock residential development and support the development of up to 2,000 new homes, directly contributing to Victoria’s housing supply objectives.
Banmira Specialist School – Stage 2
Banmira Specialist School is an essential piece of social infrastructure supporting students with additional needs from across Greater Shepparton and surrounding communities. Stage 2 will deliver a purpose-built education campus capable of meeting future enrolment demand and providing contemporary learning environments, specialised support facilities and expanded educational opportunities. The project will improve educational outcomes, support family wellbeing and strengthen Greater Shepparton’s attractiveness as a place for families to live and work.
Delivering Regional Victoria’s Growth
Together, these projects exemplify the type of investment the Regional Cities Victoria Regional Fund is designed to support.
They will:
- Unlock new housing supply and housing choice.
- Enable private sector investment and industrial expansion.
- Create jobs during construction and operation.
- Strengthen workforce attraction and retention.
- Support regional population growth.
- Improve liveability and access to essential services.
- Deliver economic benefits that extend beyond Greater Shepparton to northern Victoria and the broader State.
Greater Shepparton is ready to help Victoria achieve its housing, economic development and regional growth objectives.
Investment through a dedicated Regional Growth Fund would provide the certainty and enabling infrastructure needed to accelerate delivery of these outcomes and maximise the return on government investment.
As northern Victoria’s regional capital, Greater Shepparton offers the Victorian Government an opportunity to invest in projects that unlock housing, support jobs, attract private investment and deliver lasting benefits across the broader region.
Tell your story
We’re collecting short, informal community stories to help show how gaps in essential services - such as roads, hospital services (including travelling to Melbourne or other regional centres for treatment), public transport and sporting facilities - affect everyday life in Greater Shepparton.
Stories will be shared as part of Council’s State Budget advocacy, including on our social media channels and the State Advocacy webpage, to help decision‑makers understand real community impacts. Stories will only be used with your consent, and participants will be informed before content is shared.
Victorian Government Priorities Document 2026/2027
Greater Shepparton is experiencing significant growth, and this growth brings opportunity, however there are still challenges that need to be addressed.
This document highlights the key priorities for Greater Shepparton. These projects will collectively contribute to strengthening economic and social activity and improved liveability for our region.
Download the Victorian Government Advocacy Document 2026/27 PDF format - 6MB
Setting the strategic direction for 2026/2027
The following documents provide additional insights into setting a strategic direction for the Greater Shepparton region and shaping public policy to address key challenges and opportunities.
Fact Sheet - Queensland Fruit Fly
If Area Wide Management for Queensland fruit fly is not adequately funded, the horticulture industry in the Goulburn Valley will be at catastrophic risk.
Fact Sheet - Central Park Changeroom Redevelopment
Everyone deserves access to safe, inclusive and accessible sporting facilities. Modern changerooms are critical to supporting participation growth, particularly among women, girls and people with disability.
Fact Sheet - Goulburn Valley Designated Area Migration Agreement (GV DAMA)
Regional workforce shortages continue to limit business growth and place pressure on essential services. Local industry, councils and community organisations have developed significant expertise in workforce attraction, employer engagement and migrant settlement.
Fact Sheet - Greater Shepparton Bike Jump Park
Young people need safe, accessible and engaging places to be active. The Bike Jump Park will provide a dedicated space for recreation, skill development and social connection while addressing the safety and environmental issues associated with informal riding locations.
Fact Sheet - Regional Sports Lighting Upgrade Package
Modern lighting is essential to maximising the use of existing sporting facilities and ensuring local clubs can continue to meet growing community demand. This investment will create safer, more inclusive sporting environments while supporting healthier and more connected communities.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this document is correct as at the date of publication; however, is subject to change.