Growth often brings some challenges, as we seek to balance day-to-day delivery of the essential services our community relies upon, while remaining financially sustainable as we provide affordable infrastructure to deliver these services.
To support our delivery of essential services across the city in coming years, we recently announced an exciting and crucial step in planning for the city’s projected growth with the largest land purchase in AlburyCity’s history.
Under the proposed agreement, AlburyCity will secure a 777-hectare parcel of land east of the Hume Highway at Ettamogah. This landmark purchase will support the long-term planning of our water and wastewater infrastructure, reinforcing our commitment to sustainable city growth.
It’s a strategic investment that aligns with Council’s recently endorsed draft AlburyCity Water and Wastewater Master Plans.
They pave the way for the construction of an additional wastewater treatment plant north of the city, essential for the expected residential and industry growth of our city across the Thurgoona-Wirlinga area, and NEXUS - Ettamogah, as identified in the NSW Government’s Master Plan for our Regional Job Precinct and AlburyCity’s draft Master Plans.
With Albury’s population expected to double over the next 50 years, this acquisition ensures we are proactively investing in the critical infrastructure needed to support our community’s future.
Funding for this strategic acquisition comes from Council’s Wastewater (Sewer) Fund cash reserves, specifically allocated for this purpose. Future wastewater infrastructure development will be funded through a combination of:
- Increased revenues from the city’s growth
- Infrastructure contributions aligned with the Master Plans
- Grant funding from the NSW and Australian governments
- Loan funding aligned with Council’s debt servicing capacity
This investment follows a similar initiative in the 1990s when Council purchased degraded farmland that was transformed into the Wonga Wetlands - a nationally recognised example of wastewater reuse, biodiversity enhancement, and floodplain rejuvenation.
We encourage you to review and provide feedback on the draft Water and Wastewater Master Plans, which will be publicly exhibited for six weeks alongside the Thurgoona-Wirlinga Precinct Structure Plan Update and the Social Infrastructure Strategy from late April 2025.
Your input is invaluable as we work together to shape the future of our city.