The strategic plan for the Yarra Ranges was officially adopted at the last council meeting.
The 2025-2029 Yarra Ranges Council plan, developed alongside an 18-month consultation from the public, is now available for public viewing online and was unanimously approved at the recent meeting.
Councillor Peter McIllwain said at the meeting on 14 October that the plan was inclusive, strategic and builds resilience.
“The plan responds to urgent challenges while building capacity to withstand future shocks,” he said.
The councillor also pointed to potential risks to the plan.
“Funding shortfalls from State and Federal government, unexpected costs from the climate change threat – the danger is that cost-cutting and maintenance will come to dominate,” he said.
Challenges discussed in the plan included impacts from extreme weather and the changing climate, residential population and visitor number growth, the ongoing challenges of community staying healthy and safe, impacts from policy and political changes from the state and federal governments and providing efficient and effective services that keep costs down to residents.
The plan is led by a four-pillar strategic approach focused on health and connection, environmental protection and enhancement, infrastructure quality and liveability and boosting the economy.
Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child said the new council plan reflects the community’s wishes from the 18-month consultation period.
“This is the most extensive consultation process we’ve ever undertaken for a council plan, and the feedback from the community was loud and clear,” he said.
“Planning for the future, transparent decision making, excellent customer service and getting the basics right is what the community wants us to prioritise, and we feel like that has been well captured in this plan.”
The strategy informs several projects on the horizon, such as the Healesville and Seville community pavilions and plans to increase and protect biodiversity links and tree canopy connections, reducing stormwater and flood risks, and enhancing local amenity and walkability.
Community feedback included keeping the community informed and engaged, looking after the natural environment, planning for the future, community inclusion, and preparation for the impact of extreme weather.
Some of the lead strategies will see the Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme updated and the introduction of place and structure plans, along with township design frameworks.
These will alter and implement other planning schemes and, in turn, affect stormwater management and flood mapping.
There will be a housing strategy introduced and a new green wedge management scheme. The strategy says that the council will ‘develop a new, contemporary Green Wedge Management Plan that addresses emerging agricultural practices and industry needs related to land use.’
The council plans to bolster economic development by supporting more local employment, business development and attracting appropriate investment into the region.
In the environment pillar, the council aims to ensure there is water resource improvement, native plant and animal protection, along with their habitats and build more community resilience in the face of climate changes and extreme events. Energy consumption in council will also be reduced in line with the Liveable Climate Plan, along with support by local government to assist the community to reduce theirs.
To see the full Yarra Ranges council plan, residents can read online via the website or visit the council’s community link locations.
