Wangaratta Growth Project

Wangaratta is experiencing high growth due to recently rezoned areas.

Accelerated residential development has resulted in our systems reaching capacity constraints ahead of previous high growth projections. Suspension is necessary to ensure our infrastructure does not harm the environment due to sewer capacity related spills.

This is limited to small lot count infill developments within the city which may be possible. The specific location and nature of each infill development requires a case by case assessment, as per the regular application process.

It is highly likely that aging infrastructure will fail.

Currently short and long term solutions are being planned. There is also early works about to occur to assist in relieving some of the current system capacity concerns. The short term plan is working to 0 to 3 year time-frame with the long term plan working to 5 years+. However there are opportunities for early engagement with North East Water on development applications to discuss options that may allow the hold to be lifted.

A range of conventional and non-conventional solutions for the short and long term are being explored. Short term solutions have an objective of enabling housing development to recommence as soon as possible. Long term solutions will require major intergenerational asset investment that will enable unimpeded growth for many decades to come.

While short terms solutions are likely within the next few years, long term solutions will take between 5 and 10 years to implement due to the complexity, scale and costs involved.

Both North East Water and council are working closely together to enable growth to progress. Recently an 8 week sprint project was facilitated by GHD to explore short term options.

The historical growth data for Wangaratta has seen on average annual lot yields of approximately 120, this has increased to 180. These numbers have remained steady for the past 10 years. All North East Waters planning used the historical growth data. More recently growth has accelerated to 280, which represents 2x the historical growth rate.