Among the key issues identified by the Rutherglen community was heavy vehicle impacts along Main Street affecting safety, amenity and tourism.
Indigo Shire Council has released its Settlement Strategy Discussion Paper, which is the framework for managing residential growth and land use across the shire over the next 25 years.
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The discussion paper outlines a strategic vision to balance increasing housing demands with the preservation of local heritage, environmental assets, and township character.
It also identifies key economic drivers and provides specific analysis to ensure that development is directed toward areas with adequate infrastructure.
Rutherglen
Rutherglen is identified as one of the shire’s larger townships, renowned for its nationally significant wine region, heritage character, and role as a major tourist destination.
The Rutherglen region, including Wahgunyah, attracted 279,000 visitors in 2023, representing 31.5 per cent of the total visitors to Indigo Shire.
According to the 2021 census, Rutherglen’s population was 2,549 with a median age of 48 and an average of 2.3 people per household.
The plan identifies a large number of vacant residential parcels to accommodate short-to-medium-term growth.
Key issues identified by the community included heavy vehicle impacts along Main Street affecting safety, amenity and tourism.
Community concerns include drainage issues/overland flooding, lack of sewer servicing in industrial areas, and ageing power and internet infrastructure.
A shortage of worker accommodation for the hospitality, tourism, and agricultural sectors was also identified along with heat stress due to poor urban tree canopy and climate risks to the viticulture industry.
Future opportunities in Rutherglen were identified with town centre revitalisation, tourism expansion by leveraging historical gold mines, indigenous history, and eco-accommodation as well as strengthening the relationship with Wahgunyah.
Wahgunyah
Wahgunyah is one of two Murray River crossing points in the shire and closely linked to Rutherglen and Corowa for services and facilities.
In 2021 its population was 1,061 with a median age of 49 and average of 2.3 people per household.
The town is home to the Uncle Toby’s factory, which is a major local employer and anchor for industrial activity, but its required industrial buffer constrains nearby residential growth.
Wahgunyah’s Uncle Toby’s factory is a major employer but its required industrial buffer constrains nearby residential growth.
Photo by
Paul Jeffers
Wahgunyah has a good supply of zoned residential land (436 lots) with a moderate vacancy rate at 11 per cent, considered sufficient for short-to-medium-term growth.
Key issues identified by the Wahgunyah community were infrastructure gaps including limited footpaths, poor pedestrian connectivity, and power supply outages at the end of the line.
There is a perception among residents that Wahgunyah is a "forgotten township" with identity challenges due to its heavy reliance on Corowa for services.
There are also concerns about homelessness and unmanaged camping along the Murray River.
Future opportunities lie in better leverage of the river for lifestyle and tourism, and aligning growth with regional investment in the Corowa foreshore.
Developing a rail precinct masterplan and rail trail loop to support tourism and local movement was also identified along with developing commercial land to strengthen the town centre and increase independence from Corowa.
Drivers of change
A significant demographic shift is expected, with the population aged 75+ projected to increase by 1,452 people by 2036 requiring housing options that support "ageing-in-place" and downsizing.
Affordability is affecting local workers and community feedback highlights a desire for more diverse and affordable homes, such as eco-villages, tiny homes, and smaller lots.
Indigo Shire must meet a State-mandated target of 3,100 dwellings by 2051, as established in the State Government’s Plan for Victoria.
While increasing tourism strengthens the local economy, it also places additional demands on infrastructure and accommodation with concerns about the balance between tourism and resident needs.
Community feedback identifies urban infrastructure (water, sewerage, medical access, and schools) as a critical factor that must be managed alongside growth.
