A strong emphasis has been placed on the long term financial position of Council and a fiveyear Strategic Financial Plan was introduced in 2010/11 supported by a 10 year financial plan and an Asset Management Strategy.
This has enabled Greater Shepparton City Council to plan for the future with a $90 million operating budget and a $39 million capital works program in 2010/11, the largest ever capital works investment since Council was formed in 1994.
This has been funded through a combination of rate revenue, grants and borrowings to catch up on some much needed community asset improvements. The focus in the coming financial year will return to asset renewal and maintenance with a much smaller capital works program planned in line with the long term financial plan.
Victoria Park Lake
The latest stage of a $6.7 million Victoria Park Lake redevelopment is nearing completion with the lake full for the first time in many years.
The lake is a central feature in Shepparton next to the Goulburn River and the Lower Goulburn National Park which features many significant attributes including important Aboriginal heritage, River Red Gum forests, Murray Cod breeding areas and water bird habitat.
Council took the opportunity to redevelop the lake precinct during the drought. The precinct features a wetland, boat ramps, rowing facilities, fishing jetties, shared pathways, a lake sculpture, toilet upgrades, new street furniture and landscaping for habitat and aesthetics.
Art Gallery
Greater Shepparton’s regional art gallery is about to get a $1.52 million upgrade including a new climate control and lighting systems; new flooring, education workshop and painting collection store room; and new gallery entrance doors.
GV Link transport hub
Greater Shepparton City Council is developing a transport and logistics hub to capitalize on the area’s central location at the heart of Australia’s food bowl, major manufacturing sector and large transport industry.
Called GV Link, the freight and logistics hub will connect industries within the Goulburn Valley to storage, packaging, distribution and export markets around the globe. The project is a major investment planned over a number of stages.
North Shepparton Community Hub
A new $3 million hub is now home to the North Shepparton Community Learning Centre, maternal and child health services, a social enterprise community café, meeting rooms and a range of locally-based services that will benefit the whole community.
Shepparton Showgrounds
A new multi-purpose shed providing undercover exhibition areas at the Shepparton Showgrounds has cemented Shepparton as a top regional facility for events. Thanks to a $1.7 million redevelopment it has secured a strong future and is a major icon of the Greater Shepparton area.
Shepparton Regional Saleyards
The Shepparton Regional Saleyards is one of the most modern and environmentally friendly saleyards in Victoria with improved safety, animal welfare and water efficiency as part of a $2.3 million redevelopment funded from saleyard revenue.
Undercover bowling green
A $2.2 million development of the Shepparton Park Bowls Club in Kialla is complete with an undercover eight-rink synthetic green, large plaza viewing area and club house upgrade positioning the club as one of the best year round bowls facilities in Australia.
