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
Towong's direction is set by its Community Vision 2031 and Council Plan 2025–2029, funded through an annual Budget and a longer-term Financial Plan. Under Victoria's Local Government Act 2020, almost all council decisions must be consistent with the Council Plan.
The Community Vision 2031 reads: 'Towong Shire will be the ideal place to be: welcoming, vibrant and diverse communities with quality facilities and services.' It was first written in 2021; in a 2025 survey 70.5% of respondents said it was still relevant, so it was kept. The Council Plan, developed after 17 community sessions across the Shire in 2025, turns the vision into six strategic objectives, each with strategies, initiatives and indicators.
The 2026–27 Budget, adopted on 24 June 2026, raises the average general rate and the municipal charge by 2.75% (the state cap), includes no new borrowings, and budgets $23.08 million for capital works. The council says recovery from the January 2026 bushfires and the February 2026 flash floods is an ongoing focus: $500,000 is budgeted for bushfire recovery, and about $10 million to replace bridges, culverts and roads in the Burrowye and Guys Forest areas, to be covered by Australian Government disaster recovery funding. Other items named in the budget include finishing the $3 million Bethanga Sports Pavilion, $5 million of asset renewal (including $2.1 million for roads and bridges), sealing sections of Lake Road and unsealed streets in Towong, Flagstaff Road works in Bethanga, the next stages of the Hanson Street upgrade in Corryong, and drainage and car parking in Mitta Mitta.
Underway now
Flood repairs in the Burrowye and Guys Forest areas
2026–27 Budget (immediate priority)Bridges, culverts and roads in the Burrowye and Guys Forest areas were destroyed by flash flooding in February 2026, immediately after the bushfires. The 2026–27 Budget includes about $10 million to replace them, with the cost to be covered by Australian Government Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Source: Towong Shire Council — Budget 2026–27 (PDF, Mayor's introduction)
Bethanga Sports Pavilion
Works began March 2026; completion scheduled for the first half of 2026–27A $3 million sports pavilion at the Bethanga Recreation Reserve, with a $1 million grant from the State Government's Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund.
Source: Towong Shire Council — Budget 2026–27 (PDF, executive summary)
Koetong Recovery and Resilience Masterplan
Draft; drop-in sessions 8 October 2026A draft plan to guide the future development of the Koetong Recreation Reserve, identified as a priority in the Council Plan 2025–2029. The council says the January 2026 bushfires had a significant impact on Koetong, Shelley and surrounding communities. The draft will be put online after the drop-in sessions for wider feedback.
Integrated services hub at the former Corryong Junior Campus
Community consultation August–September 2026The council is exploring how community programs and Neighbourhood House activities could be delivered across the Upper Murray, including from a proposed integrated services hub at the former Corryong Junior Campus. In-person sessions were held in August and September 2026 and an online survey closed on 21 September.
Source: Towong Shire Council — Integrated services in Corryong – online survey open (news, 28 Aug 2026)
Traffic calming trial in Bellbridge and Tallangatta
From September 2026Wide, low-profile rubberised speed humps and warning signs on Lake Road and near the boat shed in Bellbridge, and at three locations along Queen Elizabeth Drive in Tallangatta, in response to community feedback and reports to councillors about vehicle speeds.
Source: Towong Shire Council — Traffic calming trial to commence (news, 30 Aug 2026)