Community members are being asked to shape Council’s work over the coming four years, with the Draft Council Plan and long-term Financial Plan released for final community feedback.

At their meeting on 14 September 2021, Councillors voted to release the Draft Council Plan 2021-25, including the Community Vision, and long-term Financial Plan for community engagement.

From 15 September – 12 October, community members will be able to read all of the key documents and provide feedback on the strategies and projects.

Community feedback will be used to refine and finalise the documents before they return to Council for final endorsement.

The Council Plan sets the priorities of the organisation for the next four years, with a key focus of supporting the local economy and businesses to survive and bounce back from the challenges of 2020 and 2021.

Some initiatives in the draft plan include:

• Improving Aboriginal health and wellbeing in the community
• Helping Yarra Ranges become a world-class trails and eco-tourism destination
• Prepare and implement a Biodiversity Plan to support the ecologies of the region

• Reduce Council’s ecological footprint by committing to renewable energy
• Improve mental health outcomes for the community
• Undertake integrated place planning for activity centres and town centres
• Build community resilience through emergency planning and preparedness

The Long-term Financial Plan is a ten-year extension of the principles in the Annual Budget, which gives Council a long-term outlook on finances.

The Council Plan and all of its goals were directly influenced by community feedback gathered over the last year, including a panel of 50 community members who shared their thoughts directly about Council’s work and priorities.

Anyone in the community is encouraged to leave feedback – big or small – about the Council Plan.

Find out more here