Adult hands holding a world globe, passing to a young child's hands

Why is this an issue in Yarra Ranges?

In Yarra Ranges, we are experiencing more frequent and severe bushfires and intense rainfall events, leading to flash flooding.

  • Yarra Ranges has experienced the second highest incidence of natural disasters receiving disaster recovery funding, of all local governments in Australia since 2006/07.
  • These include the recent June 2021 storm, and severe weather and flooding events in October 2022, December 2023 and January 2024.
  • By 2030, nearly 40% of properties in Yarra Ranges are expected to be at medium to high risk of climate change impacts, with impacts concentrated in the Yarra Valley and the Hills.

What can Council do?

  • Support community adaptation to climate change impacts including extreme weather events.
  • Strengthen the food system so households can afford, access and prepare healthy food at all times.
  • Foster neighbourhoods that have good connections and support each other in emergencies.
  • Ensure residents have the information they need on how to access emergency support services.

What's already happening?

  • Council’s Environment Strategy and Liveable Climate Plan focus on environmental sustainability, including climate mitigation and adaptation.
  • Council’s Nature Plan 2024–2034 enhances natural environments to mitigate climate impacts.
  • Council’s Integrated Transport Strategy promotes sustainable transport options to reduce emissions.
  • Council’s Tree Canopy Strategy 2024–2034 increases urban tree canopy for climate resilience.
  • The Firesticks Project is resourced by dedicated Firesticks Coordinators and seeks to share the wisdom and connection with the environment and cultures that cultural burning brings.
  • Council’s Economic Development Strategy promotes a sustainable local economy.
  • Yarra Ranges Regional Museum won the National AMaGA Award for Community Connection, for the exhibition Hard Place/Good Place which highlighted the stories of young people in the Yarra Ranges impacted by the 2021 storm event.