Wodonga Council has a clear strategic land use vision as set out in the Municipal Strategic Statement (MSS):
"A city which maintains a sufficient land supply which accommodates different lifestyle choices and the sustainable growth of the city".
The Wodonga Growth Strategy, adopted by the council in 2016, seeks to provide land use direction in relation to the location and preferred form of growth within the city. The growth strategy builds on the objectives of the Wodonga Council Plan up to 2036 and beyond and focuses on two key themes – liveability and prosperity.
Liveability and prosperity have been chosen as the two key themes because the community has clearly recognised the positive relationship between them in guiding the growth of the city into the future. Delivering the vision will require comprehensive forward planning, sustained investment in infrastructure and services and continuing focus on a sustainable economy. Maintaining Wodonga as a liveable city and maximising partnerships with government, industry, business and our community, will be critical.
In reflecting on the capacity of the city to achieve this aspiration, understanding how the city is growing and where and at what rate is critical. The council needs to determine if sufficient land is available to meet market demand and to identify consumption and production trends impacting the city. The Land Development Trends provide updated information for the existing and future development of residential, commercial and industrial land throughout the city of Wodonga. The council has now been collecting data in relation to residential and commercial developments in the city for five years.
In response to the information contained in this document, the council will be able to make appropriate zoning, infrastructure and development decisions to ensure there is a sufficient supply and choice of vacant land into the future.
The Land Development Trends will also support decision-making for both current and potential developers in the city. Having up‐to‐date and accurately analysed data in relation to development rates and property markets will assist in determining where and how to stage development.