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This article was published on Wednesday, 27 August, 2025. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

One vision, three plans – have your say on Greater Shepparton’s future

Consultation will run from Wednesday 27 August until Tuesday 9 September 2025, giving the community an opportunity to review the draft plans before they are finalised and adopted by Council.

Each of these draft plans were developed in consultation with the community, with surveys, focus groups and deliberative workshops used to gather feedback, understand the community’s priorities and inform the draft documents.

“These draft documents have been informed by the aspirations and feedback of our residents, and we thank everyone who took the time to provide their feedback during the initial consultation phases,” Mayor, Cr Shane Sali said.

“Now we are asking the community to take one more look and let us know if we have got the balance right, whether that is improving our public spaces, maintaining local facilities, or allocating funding in a sustainable way. Your feedback will help us finalise these important plans.”

The Draft Council Plan 2025–2029 outlines the strategic direction for Council over the next four years. It sets the goals, priorities and actions that guide decision-making and ensure resources are directed where they are needed most. The Council Plan connects directly to the Community Vision and provides the framework for annual budgets, projects and service delivery.

Development of the Draft Council Plan began back in July 2024, with broad community consultation. A Community Panel was then established for deliberative workshops, with participants sharing their thoughts and ideas around the priorities for Council over the next four years. This was followed by workshops with Councillors to fine tune the strategic direction of the plan.

The Draft Council Plan is centred around the five strategic outcomes of economy, infrastructure, liveability, environment, and your council, with each having strategic indicators and priorities to achieve over the next four years. These priorities include:

Economy: Supporting business and industries to adapt and diversify to reach new markets; attracting new industries and businesses to the region; and strengthening the economy of our small towns.
Infrastructure: Strategic and effective asset management; facilitating housing and commercial development; improving road connections and reducing congestion; and providing fit for purpose, quality sport and recreation infrastructure.
Liveability: Prioritising community safety through partnerships and targeted interventions; ensuring healthier and more connected communities; and ensuring community participation and leadership is fostered, encouraged and embraced.
Environment: Restoring, protecting and enhancing the region’s biodiversity; and improving and protecting rivers and waterways within the region.
Your Council: Maintaining financial leadership; providing excellence in customer experience and community engagement; and advocating in partnership with and for the community.

“Council is committed to delivering a strong, sustainable and financially viable future for our community, with the Council Plan driving these outcomes over the next four years,” Cr Sali said.

“Our region’s growth is at the forefront of this Draft Council Plan, which directly reflects the feedback received from the community during the extensive consultation period. The Council Plan is the most important strategic document which Council develops to guide the direction of the region over the next four-year term.

“Now is the time to ensure the draft document reflects the community’s vision for the region, and I encourage the community to have a read of the document and provide their feedback.”

The Draft Asset Plan 2025–2035 details how Council will look after the infrastructure and facilities our community depends on each day. Council is responsible for over $2 billion in assets, including roads, footpaths, buildings, parks, drains, vehicles and technology.

Council is also seeking feedback on its Asset Management Policy which outlines its commitment to the management of its assets, acknowledging the essential role they play in delivering quality services to the community.

The Draft Financial Plan 2025–2035 provides a long-term financial roadmap to ensure Council remains sustainable while delivering for the community.

Cr Sali said each of these plans were central to shaping Greater Shepparton’s future.

“Together, these three plans set out how we will prioritise our work, protect and manage our assets, and fund the services and infrastructure our community relies on,” he said.

“We have listened to the feedback from our community when developing these drafts, and now is the time to make sure they reflect what matters most to you.”

The draft documents are available to view online, with opportunities to provide feedback from today until Tuesday 9 September 2025.

Once consultation closes, the feedback received will be reviewed and each of the draft documents updated to reflect any further changes, ahead of each document being presented at an upcoming Council Meeting for adoption.

For more information on all three of the important plans and to have your say, visit Shaping Greater Shepp.

For further information, please call Council on 5832 9700 or email council@shepparton.vic.gov.au.