Our Focus
We want Wellington to be a place where people feel part of something - where it’s easy to stay connected, get support when you need it, and feel welcome in the spaces around you.
We know that a strong community is one where people look out for each other, have access to the services that matter to them and feel safe and respected in public life. That’s why we’re focused on supporting health and wellbeing, reducing barriers to participation, and making it easier for people to come together. It all plays a vital role in building a more connected community.
Our Shire is diverse, and we’re working hard to make sure everyone, regardless of age, ability, background or identity, feels included and supported.
This work is grounded in what we’ve heard from the community, guiding how we plan, invest and deliver services over the next four years.
Strategic Indicators
At a Glance...
Major Initiatives and Actions
The Urban Paths Plan (UPP) is a key driver in achieving this Council Plan Action. Implementation is on track, with planning and construction activities progressing as anticipated.
A scheduled review will assess outcomes and provide an updated status report to inform future priorities.
Initial engagement has commenced with the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) to build stronger relationships and explore opportunities for collaboration.
This partnership aims to deliver culturally informed outcomes that reflect shared values and respect for Country.
Council has launched the Future Wellington website, completing the final stage of the Future Wellington project.
This platform replaces lengthy printed reports with an interactive dashboard, enabling real-time tracking of progress against 41 major initiatives and 11 objectives of the Live Well in Wellington Plan.
Key benefits include:
• Improved transparency and community engagement
• Enhanced functionality for Councillors and staff to monitor and report progress
• Clear, easy-to-navigate updates on priorities, projects, and performance
Wellington is the first Victorian council to deliver a platform of this kind, positioning it as a leader in open and accessible local government reporting.
Full Council Plan documents remain available for download, with Future Wellington providing the preferred digital experience.
Council has delivered a new Community Engagement portal, marking a significant upgrade to Your Wellington Your Say. Powered by Social Pinpoint technology, the new tool offers a more accessible and user-friendly interface.
Accessibility improvements include:
• Screen reading technology
• Adjustable contrast, larger text, link highlighting, and text spacing
• Dyslexia-friendly design
• Options to hide images, use tool tips, and access an integrated dictionary
These enhancements ensure broader community participation and make engagement easier and more inclusive.
The Wedge Performing Arts Centre has continued to offer a mix of programs this quarter, catering to a wide range of interests and age groups.
This has included live theatre and music performances, as well as comedy nights and community-led productions.
The venue has remained a lively and inclusive space for cultural expression.
These events not only entertained local audiences but also supported regional artists and contributed to the Shire's growing reputation as a destination for quality performing arts.
Council has initiated key ICT Strategic Plan actions during this reporting period, including:
1. Launching activities to support the review and alignment with best-practice ICTstandards.
2. Implementing Cybersecurity Improvement Initiatives, such as conducting an Enterprise Technology Risk Assessment, Network Penetration Testing, and a Privacy Audit to ensure ongoing compliance with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 and the Victorian Protective Data Security Standards Framework.
3. Establishing a joint Geographic Information Systems (GIS) working group with East Gippsland Shire Council to review GIS business systems and processes, driving efficiencies and improved outcomes for both councils.
E-learning modules on Cultural Awareness, Gender Equality, Prevention of Workplace Bullying and Harassment, and Child Safety continue to be delivered on a recurring cycle.
Development of a new module on Gender Impact Assessments (GIAs), incorporating the concept of intersectionality, is underway.
To further support staff engagement and application of GIA principles, monthly drop-in sessions are being facilitated across the organisation.
Tender documentation and scope of works have been completed and will be advertised shortly.
Following the advertisement, the tender process will progress to evaluation and contractor appointment to enable commencement of works.
Development of governance resources and templates to support volunteer committees is underway.
In recognition of the valuable contribution of volunteers and community groups, a thank-you event was held in Stratford, attended by several Councillors.
The new reporting platform, Future Wellington was launched on Monday, 22 September 2025, demonstrating a commitment to transparency, accessibility, and community engagement.
This platform serves as a central hub for Council's long-term strategic plans, including the:
• Community Vision 2041
• Council Plan 2025-2029
• Financial Plan
• Asset Plan
• Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan - Live Well in Wellington
The new website is designed to address previous challenges around engagement and accessibility.
It replaces the static PDF-based approach with a dynamic, user-friendlyinterface that allows:
• Real-time tracking of progress against strategic priorities via a performance dashboard
• Clear updates on Council initiatives and actions
• Interactive access to strategic documents and sub-plans
• New channels for community feedback and engagement
Over the past few months, our Performing and Visual Arts Teams have continued to build its reputation as a cultural hub for Gippsland.
One of the standout events was the highly successful Turner & Australia exhibition, which showcased world-class art to our community and attracted visitors from across the region.
We also delivered a diverse program of live performances at The Wedge, offering something for everyone, from theatre and music to locally produced shows.
Beyond our own events, we collaborated with other councils and arts organisations across Gippsland to plan and support regional festivals and cultural initiatives. These partnerships are fostering a stronger, more connected arts community throughout the region.