By Callum Ludwig
At the end of the jam-packed Tuesday 24 October Council meeting, Yarra Ranges Council Mayor and O’Shannassy Ward Councillor Jim Child announced that it would be his last as mayor.
He was elected as a councillor for the first time in Yarra Ranges Council in 2012 and first served as mayor from 2012 to 2013 and most recently from 2021 to 2023.
Recalling achievements, Cr Child said it’s been a big two years.
“We came into that first year with storm recovery from that significant event back in 2021, dealing with the issues from that especially when you think about that particular property owner up in Kalorama,” he said.
“We’ve just recently gone to the minister for a planning scheme amendment, which will eventually change the planning scheme so that she may be able to build again, so that was a terrific outcome for me.
“I’m also a strong advocate for the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination, we’re well on the road to that now with the planning scheme amendment in front of the minister, and we expect to sign off on that shortly and begin construction in April next year.”
Cr Child’s work in local government in the region extends beyond his 2012 election, having previously been elected to the now-defunct Shire of Upper Yarra in 1982 and becoming shire president in 1985.
Cr Child said he thinks the biggest challenge over those two years was earlier this year when there were problems in the gallery at council meetings.
“We ended up in the Supreme Court with a matter being raised before Justice Richards questioning Council’s actions in regards to the Monbulk Urban Design Framework and whether we did the appropriate consultation, and my and the CEO’s actions to close meetings down,” he said.
“To be vindicated by the Supreme Court that we were correct in what we did was a great feeling for me because it was a period of time for concern.
“I think that what was happening in our gallery was really challenging democracy, where we have an elected council which was being challenged by a minority group who disrupted proceedings.”
The current Deputy Mayor is Melba Ward Councillor Sophie Todorov.
Cr Child said he did realise going into the role it would be a challenging time, particularly with state and federal elections taking place.
“Little did I know how the rest would pan out, as well as a referendum where we as Council had to take a neutral place, even though we did recognise the Uluru Statement from the Heart, but it wasn’t for us to direct people how to vote.
“Our job was to really say to people, make sure that you do your homework, check both sides of this, yes or no, and make an informed decision, don’t go to the referendum poll uninformed, so that was an important piece for me.
“There were some things I did expect to be challenging, to be on ABC’s Meet the Mayor four times and all the other media commitments as well, I’ve probably never known the mayor’s role to be so busy in that space, but I think what’s come out of that is that the time went so quick and I’ve got no regrets about my team in the chair.”
There’s one mayoral term to be served by whoever is to be Cr Child’s replacement before the next Yarra Ranges Council election in 2024.
Cr Child said he thinks they’re well equipped as a council.
“We’ve got nine councillors that are very well connected as a councillor group, with no political factions and that’s what I found inspiring through the difficult times I had to go through,” he said.
“The support I had from those eight other councillors and the offices of our municipality was nothing short of outstanding.
“I will not stop my advocacy on behalf of my constituents, on behalf of the people of the O’Shannassy ward and the Upper Yarra, it’s always been the reason why I’ve stood for local government and I’ll continue to do that.”
Cr Child was formally thanked for this work over the last two years by Yarra Ranges Council CEO Tammi Rose, Streeton Ward Councillor Andrew Fullagar and Walling Ward Councillor Len Cox OAM after his announcement.
Cr Child said he thinks the main learning from anyone who sits in a chair of responsibility is that each and every person who sits around that table in the chamber has an equal right to have a say.
“I think in the two-year period of my mayorship I dealt with probably one amendment, maybe one or two amendments to a council motion and not all resolutions were unanimous either,” he said.
“I think that what that shows and what our council does well is that we can have a very strong debate in regards to items, we can have that respectfully and we can do it through a democratic process.”
