The Returning Our City to the River Project will investigate opportunities to strengthen connections between some of Greater Shepparton’s most significant economic, recreational, environmental and community assets.
Greater Shepparton City Council has engaged Tract Consultants Pty Ltd to undertake this strategic initiative. Tract Consultants have delivered and contributed to similar strategic projects across regional Victoria, including projects in Mildura, Horsham and Swan Hill, bringing valuable experience in strengthening connections between city centres, waterways, public spaces and visitor destinations.
The project will deliver three key strategic outcomes:
- An activation-led refresh of the Shepparton CBD Strategy to identify opportunities that strengthen the city centre as a vibrant destination for business, investment, visitation and community life.
- A Goulburn River and Victoria Park Lake Activation Strategy to identify opportunities to enhance recreation, tourism, events and community use of these important natural assets.
- A CBD-River-Lake Integration Framework to strengthen the relationship between the CBD, Victoria Park Lake and the Goulburn River corridor and guide future activation, connectivity, investment and place-making initiatives.
Deputy Mayor, Councillor Geoff Akers said the project would provide a strategic vision for how Shepparton's most important destinations can work together to build economic growth, tourism and community wellbeing.
“The Returning Our City to the River Project is about creating a stronger and more connected relationship between Shepparton's CBD, Victoria Park Lake and the Goulburn River,” he said.
“Council is seeking to identify opportunities to enhance activation, accessibility and investment across some of our community’s most important assets.”
Councillor Fern Summer, Yanha Gurtji Ward representative, said it was an important opportunity to create a future vision for some of Greater Shepparton's best-known places.
“This project is an exciting opportunity to shape, activate and celebrate Shepparton’s CBD, and find new ways to turn the Goulburn River and Victoria Park Lake into key destinations for our community and visitors,” she said.
Community engagement opportunities will be announced as the project progresses. Feedback gathered throughout the process will help identify opportunities for future investment, activation and improved connectivity across the precinct.
For more information, contact Council on 5832 9700 or via email at council@shepparton.vic.gov.au
