Our Focus
The way our towns and spaces are planned, designed and maintained has a big impact on how we live. We’re focused on creating places that meet the needs of our community, places that bring people together and reflect what matters most.
As our population grows and the way we live changes, we’re thinking carefully about how our infrastructure supports that. We want our streets, buildings and public spaces to work well now and into the future, with a strong focus on accessibility and thoughtful design.
It’s about looking after the places people rely on every day and making sure they continue to meet local needs.
Strategic Indicators
At a Glance...
Major Initiatives and Actions
Parks are regularly maintained on a set schedule, and upgrades to park infrastructure are planned as assets reach the end of their life.
Masterplans for key reserve sites are in preparation with active engagement of communities including:
- Lions Park Sale
- Golden Beach
- Prince Street Reserve Rosedale, and
- Great Southern Rail Trail.
The Urban Forest program has delivered over 700 street and park trees in the autumn of 2026 following engagement with the relevant communities on tree selection in late 2025. Council continues to support in-park events and licensed activities that encourage community use of the Shire's parks.
This activity is scheduled to begin in Year 3 of the Council Plan. It follows a regular cycle and was last completed in 2024.
During this reporting period, Council has commenced the review of the adopted Early Years Infrastructure Plan. The focus of this review is to ensure that the region is well placed to respond to the 2028 roll out of the Best Start, Best Life reforms.
Council is continuing regular maintenance of parks along with upgrades to trails, paths, playgrounds, and accessible facilities.
Plans also include improving access to open spaces within a short walk of homes and adding lighting to make parks safer and more usable for longer hours.
The 2025/26 Capital Expenditure (CapEx) Program rollout has supported some enhanced accessible infrastructure to paths and playgrounds and will continue to respond to identified needs and opportunities.
Council's targeted reactivation of Aqua Energy Leisure continues to deliver outstanding results, with record levels of participation, visitation and community engagement across the facility. Supported by new membership options, expanded swimming lesson capacity, enhanced wellness offerings and improved digital communication, the centre has experienced significant growth in both membership and program participation since reopening.
These initiatives complement the recently completed $23 million redevelopment, which delivered major facility upgrades including a seven-lane indoor pool, zero-depth water play area, 24-hour gym access, contemporary wellness facilities and fully accessible changerooms and pool deck. Additional services such as Reformer Pilates, cold-water immersion and recovery programs have further diversified opportunities for participation and wellbeing.
The centre continues to exceed expectations, with memberships now well above pre-closure levels and record numbers being achieved across a range of programs, including swim school enrolments. Increased programming and community engagement activities have strengthened Aqua Energy Leisure's role as a key health, wellbeing and recreation destination for Wellington Shire residents.
Further supporting this growth, during the reporting period a new car park upgrade has been completed and opened to the public, significantly improving access, safety and convenience for patrons. Together, these outcomes reflect the success of Council's investment in the facility and the strong community demand for high-quality aquatic and leisure services.
This activity is scheduled to commence in Year 2 of the Council Plan, with planning and strategic development work already underway during the reporting period. The development of the Arts, Culture and Leisure Strategy has commenced and will provide the overarching framework to guide future service delivery, investment and community outcomes across the sector.
As a critical supporting component of this work, an Aquatic Strategy will also be developed to inform the long-term planning and provision of aquatic facilities and services across Wellington Shire.
The Library Review has progressed significantly and Council has collected and analysed qualitative and quantitative information against industry benchmarks.
Extensive consultation with Shire Library staff, the Public Library sector, and the Not For Profit library corporations in addition to reviewing and comparison of Public Library sector benchmarks has been completed. The next step will include reporting to and engaging with Council’s senior management and Councillors.
Council continues to maintain garden beds, street trees, rubbish services, lighting, seating, and other amenities across the shire. Standards are regularly internally audited, and customer requests are promptly addressed to keep these spaces wellpresented, active, and welcoming.
The completion of the 2025/26 Capital Expenditure program (CapEx) rollout during this reporting period has allowed for programmed renewal of assets, new green features and small infrastructure installations.
The review of key elements of the Community Managed Facilities Strategy and the Sporting and Community Infrastructure Plans is continuing as planned. Key items to date during the quarter include the review of hierarchy model and core service level provision.
Asset Condition data was considered in the development of the initial 2026/27 budget.
This data ensures that any assets listed in poor condition have been addressed and considered in the program of developments in the coming years.
Condition audits and renewal modelling has shown a steady positive trend in asset condition rating indicating that expenditure is effective in maintaining/slightly improving over the longer term.
Council assets are being maintained in a good condition.
The detailed design tender process has been completed during the quarter, with submissions assessed and the preferred consultant identified. Council has progressed to final appointment arrangements, with the detailed design phase to
commence in the near future.
This phase of the project will include stakeholder and community engagement activities, to ensure the final design reflects project objectives and user requirements. Subject to completion of this phase and the necessary approvals, the project will then progress toward construction.
The updated Residential Road and Street Construction Plan has been adopted by Council during the quarter, and the latest version is available on Council's website.
The Urban Paths Plan update has remained on track with a Council workshop planned for August 2026 followed by community engagement later in the calendar year.
The review is progressing as planned and due to be completed by June 2027.
Initial internal review of the current Recreational Boating Facilities Plan has been undertaken during the quarter.
The community consultation planning phase has progressed and with plans for it to be opened to the public in September/October 2026.