What the council is working on
Recent deliveries, what's underway now, and what's planned next — drawn from the council's own plans, budgets and project pages. We report what the council has publicly said it's doing; every item links to its source.
The council's stated direction
The council's direction is set by its Council Plan 2025–2029, adopted on 23 June 2025, which turns the Community Vision into four-year objectives and actions, funded through the annual Budget and a Ten-Year Financial Plan. The council reviews the plan each year; its Year Two update, exhibited with the 2026–27 draft budget, reports 89.6% of the plan's 48 actions on track.
The Council Plan 2025–2029 is built around four themes, with climate action, inclusion and equity, health and wellbeing, and heritage preservation running across all of them. The council says more than 280 community members contributed during late 2024.
The 2026–27 Budget, adopted on 30 June 2026, raises the average rate by the 2.75% state cap, keeps all current services and funds a $13.05 million capital works program, including $3.26 million for roads, $1.65 million for caravan park upgrades, $350,000 for drainage, $350,000 more for the Barkly Park Pavilion (a $1.4 million project), $327,000 for Chiltern Recreation Reserve lighting, $250,000 for bridges and $164,000 for footpaths and cycleways. The council says 245 residents answered its pre-budget survey, with roads their top infrastructure priority.
Underway now
Beechworth Historic Precinct Heritage Management Plan
Consultant expressions of interest sought September 2026A heritage management plan for the National Heritage Listed Beechworth Historic Precinct — including the Town Hall, Courthouse, Telegraph Station, Sub-Treasury and the Old Beechworth Gaol — funded by a $240,000 Australian Heritage Grant and developed with the Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship, which manages the gaol.
Source: Indigo Shire Council — Beechworth historic precinct plan takes the next step (news, 24 Sep 2026)
Indigo Shire Settlement Strategy
Draft consultation closed (2026)The council's first strategy for how its towns grow to 2051, responding to the state's target of 3,100 additional homes in Indigo Shire by 2051. The council says the Shire is growing by about 1.25% a year and that the strategy will not itself rezone land or cover rural land use.
Beechworth Railway Precinct planning amendment (C80indi)
Submissions closed 31 August 2026A proposed planning scheme change to allow tourism and business uses at the Beechworth Railway Precinct — the old station building, Goods Shed and surrounding land — in line with the precinct's 2019 Land Management Plan. The council is reviewing submissions.
Source: Engaged Indigo — Beechworth Railway Precinct: proposed planning changes
Yackandandah Pump Track
Design consultation from July 2026A new pump track at Yackandandah Sports Park for a range of ages, abilities and wheeled sports, identified in the Yackandandah Sports Park Master Plan and funded by the Victorian Government. The council has appointed a Yackandandah-based design and construction contractor.
Barkly Park Pavilion upgrade, Rutherglen
Funding agreement executed; 2026–27 BudgetAn upgrade of the Barkly Park pavilion and change rooms, particularly to support women's and girls' sport, with $1 million from the Victorian Government and $400,000 from the council. The park is owned and managed by the state's Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.
Recently delivered
Indigo Shire Library Strategy 2026–2030
Adopted 30 June 2026The long-term direction for the Shire's libraries, adopted after community engagement that the council says drew 136 survey responses, three written submissions and 26 drop-in visitors.