Council adopts long-term plan for Thurgoona Wirlinga’s growth

The Thurgoona Wirlinga Precinct Structure Plan 2025 provides a high-level framework to manage land use change over the next 30 to 40 years. It outlines how housing, transport, environmental protection, open space, education facilities and local centres will be facilitated as the area grows towards a projected population of about 50,000 by 2060–70.

The plan’s adoption follows two years of technical analysis, community input and agency collaboration, providing a detailed evidence base to support coordinated development. The plan continues the strategic directions established in the 2013 Thurgoona Wirlinga Precinct Structure Plan and strengthens biodiversity protections, refines infrastructure staging, and safeguards the open space network to ensure future residents have access to parks, sporting facilities and natural areas.

The plan aligns with key state and local frameworks, including the Riverina Murray Regional Plan 2041, Towards Albury 2050, the Two Cities One Community Strategic Plan, the Local Strategic Planning Statement and the Social Infrastructure Strategy. Together, these documents support housing diversity, environmental resilience, coordinated growth and strong transport connections.

“Adopting this plan provides a clear long-term framework for how Thurgoona Wirlinga will grow, while directly responding to the priorities our community has raised, including traffic management, access to services and protection of natural areas. It ensures that future development is coordinated, responsive and designed for the people who will live here,” said Albury Mayor Kevin Mack.

Population growth necessitated a review of the 2013 Thurgoona Wirlinga Precinct Structure Plan. Thurgoona Wirlinga increased from about 6,500 residents in 2011 to an estimated 13,154 in 2024, accounting for more than half of Albury’s residential growth.

Council received 43 submissions during the public exhibition period from 28 May to 14 July. Feedback generally supported the plan’s objectives and directions, with refinements made in response to community concerns about traffic, environmental safeguards and access to local shops.

Developers and landowners raised issues relating to master planning, drainage basins and open space locations. Council confirmed the Structure Plan provides a high-level strategic framework with more detailed, site-specific matters to be addressed through a Planning Proposal and future development applications.

Public agencies including the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, Homes NSW and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development supported the plan and clarified future school planning and infrastructure needs.

The Structure Plan includes an action plan which outlines how and when technical work, rezoning, policy updates and advocacy will occur over the next decade. Many actions rely on State Government partnerships, access to funding and development sequencing. Council will continue to progress actions within its responsibility, including amendments to the Local Environmental Plan and Development Control Plan (DCP), updates to engineering and drainage strategies, and concept designs for sporting and district parks.

The Structure Plan was adopted with a resolution that the amendment to the Albury Development Control Plan 2010, which will implement the Thurgoona Wirlinga Precinct Structure Plan 2025, includes a requirement that all identified green/blue network corridors, which incorporate a linear park with adjacent waterway/environmental land, feature a minimum width of 100m.

Council can now progress a Planning Proposal to implement the adopted plan, providing residents, developers and agencies with certainty about the future form of the city’s major growth area. The Structure Plan ensures planning continues in a responsible, staged and environmentally conscious way.

For more information about the plan visit: Growing Thurgoona Wirlinga | Engaging Albury