Connect Wangaratta

Published on 09 November 2023

The Rural City of Wangaratta is excited to announce the launch of Connect Wangaratta - a new website dedicated to making it easier for community members to have their say about Council projects and activities important to them.

The new web portal sits side-by-side with Council’s corporate website and will, over time, host many opportunities for community participation in Council projects and plans through surveys, interactive question and answer sessions, and even budget allocation tools.

The Rural City of Wangaratta is committed to fostering meaningful and accessible community engagement for all. The aim is for the Connect Wangaratta portal to empower local community members and wider stakeholders to actively participate in discussions on matters of significance to them. By valuing community input and insights, the Rural City of Wangaratta aims to leverage feedback in shaping our service planning, decision-making, and advocacy, thereby ensuring that Council’s actions align with the needs of community.

Rural City of Wangaratta CEO, Brendan McGrath, confirms that the new Connect Wangaratta site is just another way Council is fostering transparent, inclusive and meaningful community engagement.

‘’At Rural City of Wangaratta, we believe that the best solutions often emerge when diverse voices and perspectives come together and we invite all members of the Rural City of Wangaratta to join in this journey of constructive dialogue and collaboration’’, he stated.

The new platform hopes to attract greater public participation in decisions that impact the community and enhance community’s participation and engagement on Council projects.

Mayor Dean Rees implores that with the community at the heart of Wangaratta, it's essential that their voices are not only heard but genuinely considered in the decisions made by Council.

‘’We are dedicated to making engagement as accessible and meaningful as possible for everyone’’, he said.

The Rural City of Wangaratta will continue to employ a variety of engagement techniques, such as public consultations, surveys, workshops, and digital platforms, to ensure that every resident and stakeholder has the opportunity to participate in the decision-making process.

Community members, including all who live, work, and visit the Rural City of Wangaratta are encouraged to register to Connect Wangaratta or learn more at  connect.wangaratta.vic.gov.au