Plans, Strategies and Master Plans

We recognise the important role sport, recreation and physical activity has in creating liveable communities.  We understand that sport and active recreation is the social glue that can bind communities together to create strong connections between residents, helping to create new friendships and networks and reducing social isolation.

The aim of Active Indigo is to positively contribute to the health and wellbeing of the community. To promote livability through a diverse range of fit-for-purpose, affordable, accessible formal and informal recreation opportunities (programs, services and facilities) that encourages local residents and visitors to become more physically active. Quality open spaces, a connected network of tracks and trails and sustainability are some of the key priorities.

This Strategy was adopted by Council on 26 June, 2018.

Allans Flat Waterhole is a valuable open space for the Indigo community. It is a historic open space reserve providing opportunities for the community to connect with nature and to engage in informal water-based recreation activities.

The reserve has an open water body with adjacent picnic features and provides an aesthetic location for visitors to the region and to local groups and individuals seeking a tranquil open space location. The reserve is quite diverse in nature, with sections of the reserve occupied by bushland, wetlands, general cleared open space, as well as a few specific sport and recreation spaces.

The masterplan was established to provide a 10-15 year guide for future developments and improvements at the reserve. The masterplan will provide guidance to Council to ensure future development of facilities and environmental protection. 

The masterplan was adopted by Council on 27 February 2024.

The Bridges Asset Management Plan has been completed. The condition and valuation data for the Bridge Asset Management Plan is based on the most recent Level 2 bridge condition assessments, completed in late 2018, as well as more recent Level 3 engineering assessments. 

The Buildings Asset Management Plan has been completed. The revaluation for Buildings was completed in August 2021, so all replacement values and modelling has been carried out with up to date values. The Total Replacement Value for Council’s Buildings is $78,710,380.

We are the custodians of an extensive range of community assets. In order to deliver a variety of services to the community, Indigo Shire must ensure that the assets supporting these services are managed in a sustainable way over the long term.

The purpose of this Asset Management Strategy is to outline the necessary activities that need to be undertaken and implemented to achieve the continued implementation of Council’s Asset Management Policy.

The strategy provides the framework to guide a maintained core standard of asset management practice at Indigo Shire, providing the structure for further development (as required) into advanced asset management moving forward.

Our Asset Plan illustrates the importance and magnitude of the infrastructure assets for which council is the custodian. This plan allows our community to be more informed, helping to develop a mutual understanding of the best use of council assets in the interest of the community.

The Asset Plan was adopted at the 28 June 2022 Council Meeting.

Baarmutha Park Recreation Reserve in Beechworth is a valuable open space for the Indigo community. The reserve is the location of one of only two formal playing fields in Beechworth and is the home base for a range of sporting and recreation clubs.

The site has building infrastructure that is the cornerstone of social connection for sporting and recreation clubs and community organisations. The facilities provide amenity for club competition and training and also a resource for the community for informal recreation and social activities when not in use by sports clubs. 

The masterplan was established to provide a 10-15 year guide for future developments and improvements at the park. The masterplan will provide guidance to Council to ensure future development of facilities supports increased participation, responsible future investment and considers current and future recreation needs.

The Masterplan was adopted by Council on 28 June, 2022.

Barkly Park in Rutherglen is a valuable open space for the Indigo community.

The site has building infrastructure that is the cornerstone of social connection for sporting and recreation clubs and community organisations. The facilities provide amenity for club competition and training and also a resource for the community for informal recreation and social activities when not in use by sports clubs. 

The masterplan was established to provide a 10-15 year guide for future developments and improvements at the park. The masterplan will provide guidance to Council to ensure future development of facilities supports increased participation, responsible future investment and considers current and future recreation needs.

The masterplan was received by Council on 27 February 2024.

The purpose of this Community Plan is to provide a framework for achievable and place-based action that will enable the Barnawartha and surrounding communities to meet its existing and future needs.

It provides a roadmap for what needs to be preserved, protected, and improved to retain the unique rural, historic, agricultural, and natural environments that defines Barnawartha and surrounds. This plan has been developed entirely through consultation with those who live and work in Barnawartha and surrounding communities and it builds on previous community and Council planning processes.

This Community Plan provides a well-coordinated approach to make the rural locality even better and address the changes driven by and for the community. This plan tackles the core challenges that residents may face in the future by being proactive and suggesting ways to leverage the town’s unique strengths.

The plan belongs to the community. The community has identified actions which will preserve what residents love about Barnawartha and surrounds and in what ways they want to see growth and change. Some of these are easily achieved at a community or individual level, without the need for Council or additional funding. Others are more complex and will require collaboration between community and Council, and sometimes businesses. Many actions will require external funding sources to make them a reality.

The Community Plan will be used to inform the next Council Plan (2025) as well as Council's ongoing decision making. Where there is a Council-led action it will be referred to the relevant Council department to progress. Actions within the Community Plan that align with Council's Strategic position and shire-wide perspective will be pursued through Council's various ongoing programs, projects, and service delivery.

The Barnawartha and Surrounds Community Resilience Plan:

• Consolidates what the local community values into a unified vision

• Provides strategic reference for future community development

• Helps inform Council policies and projects

• Encourages a place-based approach for local decision making across Barnawartha and the surrounding communities.

• Supports and inspires residents, businesses, and Council

The Plan was endorsed by Council on Monday 16 September 2024.

The Beechworth Historic Precinct Experience Master Plan is a transformative Plan and is unique to Beechworth and the Precinct. The Plan proposes to re-imagine how the Precinct functions, how history is interpreted and told, and enable it to be sustainably managed for future generations.

This Master Plan was adopted by Council on 14 December, 2021.