Business group re-energised with strong backing

Business Wangaratta has been injected with new blood following the appointment of key business people to its board at a recent general meeting. Prominent furniture retailer Casey McPhail has been elected chair of the body, alongside local businessman and former mayor Dean Rees as vice-chair. Bank manager Neil Membrey has taken on the role of treasurer, while Wangaratta Turf Club CEO Emma Merlo was elected secretary. The organisation recently held a meeting and 40 members signed up as they all have the common goal of promoting Wangaratta business growth. The revamped Business Wangaratta welcomes every business as a member in the Rural City of Wangaratta that has an ABN, across all industries and sectors. A key part of group's push will be to work with Wangaratta council so it can connect and welcome prospective businesses seeking to trade in the rural city. The group also wants to represent businesses on certain issues to remove barriers to trade and financial sustainability. Mr McPhail said Wangaratta is in a unique position over the next five years with residential development including a 227-unit lifestyle village on the corner of Reith and Lindner road, 175 apartments on Greta Road, two subdivisions off Murdoch Road (127 lots) and Clarkes Lane (230 lots). "There are multiple businesses either coming to Wangaratta or extending their footprint and this gives other prospective businesses more confidence in the city and the direction it's taking," he said. "The people who are involved in Business Wangaratta now are people who are heavily invested in Wangaratta whether it's emotionally, physically or financially. "We'll get a lot of support from businesses, and as a group, the bigger we are, the stronger we will be and the more council will listen to us." With Mr Rees' background on council he wants to to see Business Wangaratta work cooperatively with local government to help publicise the city to prospective business. But while the bigger picture view will help the group set the structure and direction of the new-look entity, it also wants to focus on specific issues that concern local business operators. Paid parking in Wangaratta's CBD has been a matter of contention for some time, stemming back to a deal made in 2012 when council signed a 20-year contract to build the multi-storey carpark on Ovens Street. "Parking is a barrier for some people and they built the multi-storey carpark which we needed, but the deal wasn't a good deal at the time," Mr Rees said. "For example, if we eventually have 500 members we'll email them a survey and ask them what do they think about the parking so we can then go back to council and advise them on certain topics. "It might be that people don't mind paying for parking but they want digital and coin options to pay for it. "I don't think there was any great consultancy with the businesses in town when the new payment method was decided, it was 'this is what we're going to have and this is the best thing'." If any business operator would like to join Business Wangaratta email Casey McPhail at casey@mcphails.com.au.

Business group re-energised with strong backing

Wangaratta Chronicle, Wednesday, August 26, 2026

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