By Mikayla van Loon
Local candidates heard Yarra Ranges Council’s priorities heading into the November state election in an advocacy breakfast on Tuesday 11 October.
Both sides of the political spectrum were represented with Labor’s Evelyn candidate Lorna Dent and Monbulk’s Daniela De Martino there and Liberal candidate for Evelyn Bridget Vallence and Monbulk’s Gareth Ward joining the session. Eildon has not yet had a Labor candidate announced, seeing only Liberal member Cindy McLeish in attendance.
Mayor Jim Child said the document the council produced indicated not only what councillors and council officers see as the priorities but was a reflection of what the community needs.
“Our agenda is much more than a document of a list of projects. It’s quite easy to draw up a list of projects and wants to lead into an election. I’ve been down that trail before but here at Yarra Ranges, we’ve done it differently, and it reflects the priorities of our community,” he said.
“The projects that we’ve identified are ones that will strengthen our region’s livability, resilience and capacity and contribute to the state economy well into the future.”
Some items raised were the Ridges and Rivers development, telecommunications, roads and natural disaster preparedness.
Sports and recreation spaces fit for the entire community was also a big item on the agenda, whether that be as a gathering point after a storm event or all inclusive facilities for different genders and abilities.
“When disaster hits our communities, these are the places that people naturally gather to take shelter and support one another as such important facilities,” Cr Child said.
“They also become incredibly valuable spaces for support services to utilise, so it’s critical that we have facilities that are fit for diverse uses and purposes.”
The message of storm recovery support was heard loud and clear, making up a large part of the council’s agenda, including a greening suburbs initiative to plant what was lost.
“That devastating storm affected thousands in the era and is causing significant damage to the landscape and built environment. It also left a mark on our community with many suffering significant trauma, and that trauma continues.”
Cr Child said “a $19 million gap” in funding still remains for the council in achieving the storm recovery plan it has set out but these types of events could potentially happen more often so a long term plan needs to be devised.
“We live in an environment that is incident, disaster prone and that’s why we have to build resilience within our communities,” he said.
Three major projects have been raised for Lilydale alone, with the bypass, rail duplication and support for the Lilydale Youth Hub all making it to the council’s agenda.
“It’s time something was done. It is the gateway to the Yarra Valley and the Warburton Valley and it should be recognised as such,” Cr Child said.
Having endorsed the Lilydale Structure Plan just months ago, advocating for these infrastructure projects, Cr Child said was the next step in achieving these outcomes for the town.
The final item identified as a key priority for the council was the peri-regional classification to allow the Yarra Ranges to apply for both metropolitan and regional funding opportunities.
“We have the vision, ambition and capacity to submit Yarra Ranges as the best place to live, work and visit but we can only deliver this vision by working with the Victorian government,” Cr Child said.
Evelyn Labor and Liberal candidates Lorna Dent and Bridget Vallence respectively said it was great to have all candidates in one room to hear what matters to the local people and council.
“I’m appreciative as a candidate because they’ve laid the groundwork for what we can take and really promote and try to champion for. There’s lots of good opportunities here,” Ms Dent said.
“Yarra Ranges Council putting on this event for all the candidates demonstrates how connected they are to the community and how passionate they are about making the Yarra Ranges the best it can be,” Ms Vallence said.
