Stories from around Yarra Ranges Council
Situations people experience when looking for a home.
Housing Strategy adopted by Council.
On 11 June 2024 the Strategy and Neighbourhood Character Study were adopted. Find out more on Council's main website.
We appreciate you taking the time to provide comments that will help to shape the direction for housing in the Yarra Ranges into the future.
Highlights include:
- Receiving over 5,200 views on Shaping Yarra Ranges.
- 40 detailed submissions sharing your feedback on chapters in the strategy.
- Engaging with over 500 community members at events, pop ups, webinars and focus groups around Yarra Ranges
- Speaking to identified stakeholder groups including Monbulk and District Madcow Community Opportunities Workgroup, Yarra Ranges Township Network, Health and Wellbeing Advisory Committee, Positive Aging Reference Group and Students from Mooroolbark College
The feedback received was considered and where appropriate, incorporated into the final Housing Strategy, adopted by Council in June 2024.
Read the full Draft Housing Strategy Consultation and Engagement Reports and related information on the Council's main website.
Final phase
Housing provides us with shelter, protection and helps with our wellbeing. Homes are more than where the heart lives – they promote social stability and contributes to the economy. And that's why we're asking for your feedback on our Draft Housing Strategy 2023
Over the next 15 years or so, there needs to be an increase of approximately 10,700 homes in Yarra Ranges and we need to ensure that we have planned for this and included your views. We need to ensure that our policies and planning regulations provide for the diverse housing needs for our community now and into the future.
The
strategy includes an action plan which includes Planning Scheme Amendments
which will provide the statutory framework needed to guide future
housing change and achieve desired neighbourhood character outcomes.
How you got involved.
We attended the following events and had copies of the strategy and factsheets available for viewing.
Mt Evelyn Street Fair, Wray Crescent Mt Evelyn – Sunday 29 October 10-4
Kilsyth Festival, Elizabeth Bridge Reserve – Sunday 26 November 10-4
Lilydale Street Fair, Main Street Lilydale – Saturday 2 December 10-4
A webinar was held on Thursday November 9th 6.30pm-7.30pm
It was an opportunity to hear from Council officers explaining the Housing Strategy and its main directions. There was an opportunity to ask questions also.
We held online focus groups on the following topics;
- Neighbourhood character and environmental sustainability (Monday 27th November, 10.00am - 11:30am)
- Housing diversity and affordability (Monday 4th December, 6.00pm - 7.30pm)
Read the draft chapters
Residential Framework -Finding the Right Spots for New Homes
You told us: People want new homes near shops and services, some higher density housing in well located areas, low density residential areas to be considered for subdivision, and options for downsizing in townships.
What we're doing: We've set up a plan to grow near shops, services, and jobs, especially in areas like Lilydale, Chirnside Park, Mooroolbark, Kilsyth, Healesville, Yarra Glen, Mt Evelyn, and Yarra Junction. We're also keeping an eye on not overdoing it in any one place.
Read Chapter 7 before providing your thoughts on the feedback form.
Neighbourhood Character -Keeping Our Neighbourhoods Unique
You told us: While there is a need for more homes, we don't want overdevelopment that ruins our neighbourhood’s character. People also want more green spaces.
What we're doing: We're proposing new neighbourhood character precincts for different parts of Yarra Ranges to protect what makes them unique. We're thinking about things like building heights, spacing between buildings, and adding more trees and gardens.
Read Chapter 8 before providing your thoughts on the feedback form.
Housing Diversity-More Housing Choices for Everyone
You told us: We need different types of homes for different people, including those with disabilities and multi-generational families. Some of the community want to be able to add tiny homes to their properties too.
What we're doing: Chapter 9 explains what kinds of homes we need, including for people with disabilities and older generations. It also discusses some non-standard housing models.
Read Chapter 9 before providing your thoughts on the feedback form.
Affordability-Making Homes More Attainable
You told us: We need more affordable homes and social housing, and we should work on solutions because things are getting worse.
What we're doing: Chapter 10 talks about these issues and how we're how we're planning to address affordability issues. We're talking to other levels of government about this.
Read Chapter 10 before providing your thoughts on the feedback form.
More environmentally sustainable homes
You told us: People want homes that are good for the environment and save them money.
What we're doing: Chapter 11 talks about making homes better for the environment through design, this could include issues like energy performance, passive heating and cooling, landscaping, and drainage.
Read Chapter 11 before providing your thoughts on the feedback form.
Infrastructure - Roads, Public Transport, and Parking
You told us: There needs to be stronger connections between how we plan for housing with planning for and delivering infrastructure.
What we're doing: We’ve identified our role in these issues in Chapter 12, found ways we can plan more effectively, and how improvements to infrastructure can be funded.
Read Chapter 12 before providing your thoughts on the feedback form.
Read Chapter 12 before providing your thoughts on the feedback form.
First phase
What you told us
In early 2022 we released a Discussion Paper asking for your feedback on important housing issues and this has now been used to inform Council’s Draft Housing Strategy.
You told us that you:
Additional information
Documents
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Interactive map
See what the proposed neighbourhood character is for your area and how the strategy applies to your property.
Click and enter your address into the search bar to find out more !
Frequently asked questions
Timeline
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Timeline item 1 - complete
Housing Strategy Review engagement-Phase 1
March - April 2022
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Timeline item 2 - complete
Draft Housing Strategy published and open for Community Consultation
October - December 2023
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Timeline item 3 - complete
Feedback received considered and incorporated into Housing Strategy
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Timeline item 4 - complete
Housing Strategy adopted by Council
Contact us
If you have any questions or want to learn more about this project, our contact details are:
Name Design & Place Phone 1300 368 333 Email mail@yarraranges.vic.gov.au In writing PO Box 105, Lilydale Vic 3140
Yarra Ranges Council respectfully acknowledges the traditional owners, the Wurundjeri people, as the custodians of this land. We pay respect to all Aboriginal community Elders, past and present, who have resided in the area and have been an integral part of the history of the region.
