Council okays building projects to boost city

Source: Wangaratta Chonicle 22.08.08

THE Rural City of Wangaratta will take the next step to becoming a major regional service centre after 10 building projects were approved by council this week.

Councillors endorsed what has been termed as phase two of the rural city’s redevelopment at a meeting in Moyhu on Tuesday.

The initiative includes the ongoing development of the Ovens River promenade and public square, upgrade of the Wangaratta Showgrounds and the planned new Centre for Learning Excellence.

Cr Bernard Young said phase two of the civic rebuilding program started from a high point, following the completion of projects like the Wangaratta Government Centre.

"The government centre has in many ways been a catalyst for state governments, and I think also federal, starting to realise that Wangaratta truly is a regional centre in a sense that it’s drawing a whole host of government agencies and other businesses," he said.

"It’s one that definitely punches above its weight.

"This second phase of major projects takes us to the next level, and it’s timely that we get them on the agenda with the State Government."

Cr Ron Webb said the proposed projects offered the rural city "interesting opportunities", both in the central business district and rural areas.

In particular, he welcomed efforts to improve water and sewerage services to smaller townships.

"I think it’s going to be critical to the growth of the Rural City of Wangaratta to provide that alternative lifestyle (in smaller townships) that people are obviously desiring," he said.

"Water and sewerage services are going to be a catalyst of that development."

Council has set a two to five-year time frame for the second building phase, with hopes of attracting state and federal government funding support.